With Britain in the grip of plunging temperatures, motorists are having to watch out for the many driving risks associated with a big freeze. But experts have now spoken out to warn of a lesser-known hazard - caused by cats seeking refuge from the elements.
Motoring experts at LeaseCar.uk have warned that car owners should search underneath their car and around their wheel arches in the morning to prevent accidentally harming animals. The Mirror reports they have urged drivers to be vigilant and keep an eye out for cats in particular.
The pets are known to seek shelter and warmth from engines by crawling into engine spaces and wheel arches. Hiding underneath cars and vans allows cats to feel protected against cold winds and biting frosts.
They can also gain warmth from the vehicle's engine if it has been recently running. But a sleeping cat could be seriously injured or even killed if the vehicle pulls away before they have had a chance to flee.
Each year thousands of cats are killed and injured on UK roads and the experts say many of them may have been sheltering against the cold under vehicles. With the country braced for more brutal weather in the months to come, all car owners are being asked to be on the lookout for pets before they get behind the wheel.
It's not only cat-owning motorists who should be on the lookout, the experts say, pointing out that pets don't just target their owner's vehicles for shelter.
Hiding underneath cars and vans allows cats to feel protected against cold winds and biting frosts. They can also gain warmth from the vehicle's engine if it has been recently running.
Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk said: "No driver wants to be responsible for the death of somebody's beloved pet cat. But on these cold mornings, it's important to bear in mind that someone's furry friend may be peacefully slumbering under the car.
"We're asking every driver to spend a couple of minutes checking for any pets that might be lurking around the tyres or under the car. If you do find a cat under the car give it a nudge or shoo it away before turning the engine on and gently pulling away.
"It's important for all drivers to be aware of this and not just those who own cats. After all, cats don't just target their owner's cars for a snooze. Any vehicle is fair game to them."
Tim added: "Accidentally harming a neighbour's cat could seriously damage relations with the neighbour themselves and could lead to all kinds of bitterness and other issues. So it really is worth taking a few minutes each morning to make sure there are no cats under the car. Unlike dogs, it isn't a good idea to let sleeping cats lie."
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
Find recommendations for eating out, attractions and events near you here on our sister website 2Chill
Find recommendations for dog owners and more doggy stories on our sister site Teamdogs
