Sadiq Khan’s Transport for London has been urged to take down a “disturbing” social media video advising cat owners how to travel on public transport. A video posted on TfL’s Instagram account shows two men with cats on leads and backpacks travelling on the Elizabeth Line.
The body responsible for the capital’s Tube, bus, tram and rail services captioned the clip: “If you need to take your cat on the Tube, here’s how to do it safely and within our conditions of carriage”. But Cats Protection described the idea of passengers taking cats on the London Underground as “disturbing”.
The charity’s Senior Behaviour Manager, Nicky Trevorrow, told the BBC busy stations and crowded Tube platforms with loud, sudden noises – such as trains arriving, announcements and crowds – should be “off limits” for cats.
She said: “It is shocking to think that anyone would travel on the Underground with their cat on a lead or draped on their shoulders. It is not only poor welfare, it’s unsafe.”
In the video, the two cat-carrying men explain four rules for travelling with cats on London’s public transport.
The first is to go equipped with pet carriers, escape proof harnesses, food and water “just in case”, with treats and toys also recommended.
Rule number two requires travellers to make sure their cats sit on or inside their carriers and not on the floor.
The third rule asks passengers to use lifts where possible and if they have to use escalators to keep pets on or in their carrier. Rule number four urges people not to “overwhelm” their pets by thinking about travelling at less busy times.
At the end of the video, a fellow passenger tells the pair she had no idea about the rules and would start taking her dog on the Tube.
Cats Protection asked TfL to take the video down, arguing that promotion of travelling on the Tube with cats risked encouraging more people to do something which can be “hugely stressful” to felines. However, to date the video is still on Instagram.
A TfL spokesperson said: “We have taken the important feedback from Cats Protection on board and have edited our social media post to make sure customers are aware we are not actively encouraging people to travel with their cats.
“However, in situations where this is necessary, it is important our customers know how to do so safely, with the animal’s welfare in mind and within our conditions of carriage.”
TfL has also agreed to work with Cats Protection and other animal welfare charities in future on advice for travelling with pets on its network.