Cute and cuddly, cats are growing in popularity; they are beloved and celebrated by many - but at what cost? Through the use of her beautiful imagery, Molly Rand’s newest project explores the effect of cats on the environment.

The UK is known as a nation of pet lovers – from fish to dogs, hamsters to horses, there is not many animals that we do not cherish as part of the family. Unsurprisingly, according to the latest statistics to PDSA, the three most popular pets in the UK are rabbits, dogs, and cats as the number one. There are an estimated 10.9 million pet cats in the UK, this of course not considering stray or feral populations. However, the rise of their popularity has been devastating for many species.

In a study conducted in 2016, it was revealed that domesticated cats kill approximately 55 million birds each year in the UK and a total of 275 million animals overall. Studies have also been conducted across the globe, such as in Australia and America, revealing similar results. Of course, cats cannot be entirely blamed – it is in their instinct to hunt; we cannot train them otherwise. Yet their impact on the environment is still a topic under much debate.

Molly Rands is a recent graduate from Falmouth University where she studied Marine and Natural History Photography. Based in Cambridgeshire, her ongoing project Tigers Tea explores the impact of cats on their environment on a domestic scale, photographing the lives of Mitzi, a 19-year-old domestic short hair, and recent addition to the household, Mouse, a rescue kitten. She states;

“I stumbled upon the idea for Tigers Tea accidentally. I have always been drawn to the fascinating patterns and colours produced in nature. It was when I was collecting and photographing feathers under the microscope that I realised how many species my own cats kill. As it was only through Mitzi and Tiger’s hunting endeavours that I was able to photograph all these different species of birds. It was only after further research that I found out just how destructive cats can be. I decided I wanted to communicate this story which not only had personal connections, but which would resonate worldwide using the medium of photography.”

Her photography sheds light on an often-controversial topic in a way that is engaging without the need to shock, as can often be the case with these photographic-stories. The photographs invite you to think about the topic and come to your own opinion.

“Cats are loved worldwide and have walked alongside humans for 10,000 years. It is only recently that the true scale of the destruction caused by domestic and feral cats is coming to light. They are responsible for the extinction of 63 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles; with many more set to join the list. I decided to take a different approach with this story. I knew this topic was going to be very controversial to write about, so I made the conscious decision to inject humour into the story, like the name Tigers Tea not only a reference to Mouse’s predecessor Tiger but to a well-known children’s book ‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea’ by Judith Kerr.

Not to take away from the seriousness of this issue but to make it more palatable to a wider audience. We are so often now bombarded with negatives stories and tales of extinction which are so very ‘doom and gloom’ that we either avoid them or have become desensitised. I wanted Tigers Tea to be different. I wanted it to communicate that this is a serious issue and that if nothing is done cats will cause even more irreversible damage but in a format people will want to read accompanied by beautiful photographs.”

Cats are loved worldwide and have been a companion animal for thousands of years. The domestication of cats is a topic frequently debated in the scientific community. It is commonly believed that domestic cats are descendants of the African wildcat, a species still found today stalking across the African savannah. However, where, when, and how domestication took place varies, with the majority of fossil remains indicating that domestication took place around 2000 BCE in Ancient Egypt.

There are discussions into how domestication took place, but the vast majority believe that African wildcats domesticated themselves in Egypt. These cats took advantage of the food and shelter offered by humans, and in return, humans gained a valuable companion which took care of any pests. Yet, the trait we then valued them for is now considered problematic. Most cat owners do not keep their furry companions to protect their food stores from rodents and other species. Farm cats are still used for this purpose, but not to the extent they once were. Yet just because our needs have changed does not mean our cats will change accordingly – as already discussed, they are predators at the end of the day. So, what can be done?

With cats so firmly ingrained into our society and culture, it is not a simple case of removing them – this just is not possible, as well as highly unethical. Since starting Tigers Tea, Molly has asked herself the possible solutions to reducing our felines impact on the environment.

“Cats have had a rocky history with humans; valued for their hunting abilities, praised as gods, farmed for sacrificial purposes and associated with darkness. Now, they are loved globally. Since the start of the project I have asked myself what actions need to be taken. Whether culling and a ban on cats as pets is the only way forward or whether slightly less intrusive methods like TNR (Trap - Neuter - Release), keeping cats indoors or behind barriers would be more successful. One of the reasons though why cats make such great pets is their independent nature, they like to roam and explore.

Actions against cats has always been met with public outcry. I think that when the feral population of cats is under control, and people can be responsible for their pets and prevent the unnecessary breeding of cats; then the threat cats pose to their local environment can be significantly reduced. But it will take a global effort which can only start when people are made aware of just how destructive cats can be.”

Tigers Tea offers us a glimpse into the world of cats, a world in which many of us are aware of but perhaps choose to turn away from. Molly’s project engages us with this discussion using her stunning visuals; instead of turning away her images encourage us to take notice. Tigers Tea perfectly demonstrates how the way the story is told affects the audience. As Molly touched upon, we have become used to negative stories and imagery; so much so that this style of storytelling can often become ineffective. If done in a way that is both original and thought-provoking, people are more likely to take an active interest in the topic, which is what makes Tigers Tea so compelling. The images are playful, yet do not divulge from the serious nature of the issue – the photographs of bird remains are haunting, and remind you of what our cuddly companions are cable of.

The answer to the cat dilemma is still unclear, but it is through being aware of the issue that we can all begin to seek a solution. Tigers Tea is still ongoing, with many parts of the story still left to be captured. To stay up to date with Molly’s work, you can find her on Instagram and on her website.