PET owners in Stroud are being warned to keep their cats inside.

The warning comes after five cats died after reportedly coming into contact with anti-freeze in the Paganhill estate.

The cats were found to be unwell on August 12.

While police say they don't have any evidence to suggest the incident was malicious, they have urged all residents to make sure vehicles do not have any leaks. 

Now PETA has issued a 'red alert' urging residents to keep their pets indoors.

The often controversial charity has highlighted that allowing pets to roam free outdoors creates the risk of ingesting poison - either by accident or by the 'cruel and deliberate' actions of people.

It added that on top of that, cats that explore are in danger of being hit by cars, contracting fatal diseases, and becoming lost, among many other hazards.

PETA vice president of programmes Elisa Allen said: “The horrific deaths these cats endured is a reminder that it’s never safe to let our companion animals outdoors unattended, even for ‘just a minute’.” 

“Cats count on us to protect them, and the best way to do that is by keeping them safe indoors.”

PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way” – notes that the best way to maintain cats’ health and safety is to keep them inside with plenty of toys and catnip, a clean litter tray, and an easily accessible cat scratcher. 

Anti-freeze is toxic to animals and cats in particular are attracted to the sweet taste. 

Uncleaned spillages can get on animals' paws, meaning they ingest the anti-freeze as they clean themselves.

Anyone with information about the Paganhill incidents should call 101, quoting incident number 0268 of August 16.