What Is Cat Poaching?

The Pet Detective’s Definition

Verb

The act of deliberately enticing a cat owned by another person away from its home usually with the lure of food.

Cat poaching is an aggressive form of Cat Seduction but unlike Cat Seduction the wrongdoer is intent of taking permanent possession of another person’s cat.

A Cat Poacher is also known as collector or hoarder.

Cat Poachers are usually repeat offenders often taking possession of more than one cat, in some cases cat poachers have been found in possession of over fifty cats.

Due to changes in English Criminal law (The Pet Abduction Act 2024) Cat Poaching is not classified as a criminal offence. Therefore, cat poachers are usually prosecuted under animal welfare legislation.

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill which would have dealt with Cat Poaching was withdrawn by the government 8 June 2023.