Helena Abrahams, from Bury, said currently cats could be thrown into landfill without the owner's knowledge.

Her online petition, calling for cats to achieve equality with dogs, has collected more than 50,000 signatures.

The Government says it is good practice for dogs and cats to be scanned for microchips following an accident.

Dogs must be micro chipped and drivers are legally obliged to report any accident involving a dog.

However, Ms Abraham's petition urges a new law to insist that cats injured or killed in a crash should be checked for a microchip.