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Cambridge named the UK's 'cheating cat' capital for feline wanderers

Cambridge residents report frequent visits from wandering cats up to three times a week, according to new research identifying the city as a primary hotspot for feline explorers. Leeds and Plymouth also rank among top destinations for roaming pets.
Hannah Flint, cat behaviour expert at Waltham Pet Science Institute, explains that cats naturally roam over 500 metres, integrating neighbouring properties into their territory. This instinctual behaviour leads them to seek food, naps, or social interaction at other homes.
A poll of 2,000 cat owners revealed 27 per cent suspect their pets are 'cheating' by visiting multiple households for food, naps, or cuddles. Additionally, 21 per cent of those in Britain have played with a neighbour's cat, while 13 per cent give regular visitors nicknames.
Kimberley Skinner and Chris Barlow, from Histon, Cambridge, created a Facebook page called Muffin The Village Cat to track their one-year-old domestic longhair's adventures. The feline has become a local celebrity, regularly visiting neighbours, cafes, and local attractions throughout the village.
Hala Sinna from Dreamies, which commissioned the research, noted that findings reveal cats leading 'double lives,' charming the whole street. She suggested that having favourite snacks in the cupboard helps ensure these roaming pets find 'there's no place like home.

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