Drivers are being urged to check under their cars for sleeping animals who could be sheltering from the cold during winter.
Motoring experts at LeaseCar.uk have warned that sleeping cats could be seriously injured or killed if they decide to rest in wheel arches as temperatures drop.
Drivers are asked to be vigilant and search underneath their cars and around the wheels to prevent accidentally harming pets.
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 freezing cold conditions already taking hold, all motorists are being asked to double check before setting off in the morning.
It's not only cat-owning motorists who should be on the lookout, as experts warn 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."
Commenting on the awful consequences of the mistake, 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."
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