£300 fee for playing radio to the cats

The owners of a popular guest house are furious at receiving a £300 bill for playing music to their lodgers – cats. Mel and Maggie Boustead could not believe it when they were told that playing the radio at their cattery to keep feline guests happy with soothing music was an infringement of copyright.

Now the Performing Rights Society (PRS), which protects the copyright of songwriters and performers, has told the owners of Follybridge Kennels and Cattery, in Thorney Road, Peakirk, near Peterborough, that they owe fees for the past two years.

Maggie said she feared that music-loving moggies such as Charlie, Tiny and Daisy, were missing their favourite tunes as the radio has now been turned off.



Mel said: "It is outrageous that they want us to pay for a licence so animals can listen to the radio. We won't pay it. Instead the cats will have to go without. We have been told we can have it on during 'out of office hours', but the cats don't want it on when they are trying to sleep."

A spokeswoman for the PRS said: "If the music is predominantly for the cats, then a licence is not required, and we would not charge these people for a radio licence. PRS will investigate this case to ensure that the customer has not been incorrectly assessed, and if a mistake has been made, we will apologise."

However, she added: "If it is a premises where the radio is audible to staff and visitors, however, a licence may be required. The cost for this licence will depend on the size of the premises."