Pet owners have pleaded with Perth and Kinross Council to introduce a dead cat scanning scheme.
Cat-lover Mandy Lowe is leading a UK-wide campaign to persuade local authorities to check dead pets found in the street for microchips, so that they can be reunited with their families.
Her online petition has already been signed by nearly 50,000 people and backed by 85 councils.
Perth and Kinross is one of the few authorities in Britain which refuses to scan dead cats. Other Courier Country councils are equipped to check animals.
In response to a plea from Ms Lowe, a spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “We do not have the necessary resources to scan, transport and store dead pets such that they can be returned to the owner.
“Even if the owner could be traced in the event that the animal had been micro-chipped and said details were up to date, there is no guarantee that the owner would wish to receive what can be distressing remains.”
She added: “To bring in such a system would have major resource implications on operations’ services, which could not be justified, especially in the current economic climate.”
Ms Lowe has taken her fight to Westminster and is looking to secure a change in the law, making scanning a compulsory action for all councils.
The 33-year-old, from Stourbridge, West Midlands, said: “It is just unfair that owners care about their companions and invest in things such as microchips so, should the worst happen, they can be reunited with their pet.
“Unknowingly to most though, a microchip is pointless as most authorities do not take the time to scan. Some councils, do not so much as keep a log of found companions.”
She launched her campaign after the disappearance of her own cat Snowy.
Despite a desperate search and on-line appeal, Snowy was never seen again. He was last spotted near a busy road.
“If he was involved in a hit and run, the council would be completely in their legal right to come along and remove him and dispose of him like a bag of rubbish.”
She said: “I know I am not a local resident of Perth and Kinross, but I do wish to push this for those who engaged in the petition. I would hate for them to think the answer ‘no’ meant the subject would be dropped.
“People pay for a service from the councils and – given the opportunity – most would prefer their money spent on serving and doing the very best for all their family, both two and four legged.”
