After XL Bullies terrorised the UK, leading to a ban earlier this year, Brits are now bracing for a new fearsome four-legged breed that’s causing a stir.
The emergence of the ‘XL Bully cat‘ has animal advocates up in arms, fretting over the dubious breeding practices which raise red flags about the creatures’ wellbeing. These sphynx-esque felines have been crafted to sport a peculiar look mirroring XL Bullies, known for their beefy, oversized builds and snipped ears.
Similar to the hulking hounds, these cats are thought to hail from American shores before slipping into the UK. Pet parents are plastering photos of the novel breed all over social media, sparking an unsettling craze.
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(Image: @Bullbinos/Instagram)
Now, there’s angst among animal lovers that these kitties might become the latest ‘in vogue’ fixation, potentially triggering grave repercussions.
Speaking with the Mirror, Cats Protection’s Head of Clinical Services, Alison Richards has voiced grave worries: “We’re incredibly concerned about the breeding of cats with extreme body types and have seen some sellers advertising ‘Bully cats’ on online selling sites. Our veterinary assessments of the photos and videos we have seen of these cats have raised serious welfare concerns.”.
Discussing their genetic traits, she highlighted that the absence of fur in these cats could lead to skin diseases, while their stumpy legs might cause joint issues and possibly arthritis. They’re also vulnerable to ailments such as cat flu, flea and worm problems, and persistent behavioural issues.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Breeding for deformity causes unacceptable suffering and distress and prevents these cats from carrying out normal behaviours essential for their welfare,” Alison added. “Cats with extreme characteristics are bred purely for the pursuit of profit.
“There is a rising trend towards harmful body types, which may be incredibly painful and, in some cases, life-limiting for the cats involved. Breeding of so-called Bully cats or other cats with extreme traits means inflicting a poor quality of life on an animal, and this is clearly inhumane.”
She continued: “Cats Protection is calling on the government to introduce cat breeding regulations to ban the breeding of cats with extreme characteristics which could have a detrimental effect on their health or welfare or that of their offspring. We’d urge anyone looking to get a cat to consider adopting one of the wonderful cats we have in our care, all cats from Cats Protection will have been health checked by a vet before being adopted.”
The RSPCA has joined forces with animal lovers, blasting the cruel features of XL Bully cats. Speaking to the Mirror, a representative said: “These Sphynx-like cats are also bred to have only a fine covering of downy hair and some may not have eyelashes or whiskers. This lack of fur can leave cats vulnerable to harmful ultraviolet light, cause difficulties keeping warm and means they won’t be able to use their hair and possibly their whiskers to explore their environment.”
The spokesperson highlighted the consequences of social media fame for these felines, warning: “We would urge fellow cat lovers to consider adopting the many rescue cats in our care instead of buying from a breeder. We would also urge breeders to prioritise the health and welfare of any animal over the way they look.”
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