Italian petition seeks to ban repossessing cats

ROME, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- About 90,000 Italians have lent their names to a petition calling on the government to outlaw repossession of cats and other family pets.

The Change.org petition, which had 89,943 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon, was started by Italian TV host Tessa Gelisio and calls on supporters to urge Prime Minister Matteo Renzo and other officials to ban creditors from repossessing cats.

The United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and several other countries already have laws on the books to prevent pets from being repossessed and current Italian law bans repossession of sentimental items such as wedding rings.

Gelisio urged supporters to promote the campaign on social media using the hashtag "#giulezampe," which roughtly translates to "paws off."

Leo è il mio compagno di vita, non un bene pignorabile!!! #GIULEZAMPE pic.twitter.com/Hhh41G4ayT

— Cristina Ferrario (@CristinaFerra17) February 10, 2015

#GIULEZAMPE gli animali non sono cose! Our pets are not things, they love us and we must love them ❤ pic.twitter.com/sf8o0BfjsT

— Chiara Falqui (@misschiaraf) February 10, 2015

"@tessagelisio: RT Mettiamoci la faccia e il muso! Le vostre foto per #GIULEZAMPE pic.twitter.com/nwREBz8m3E"

— Luka® (@Luka__76) February 8, 2015

Siamo animali...non cose! #giulezampe #nopignoramento pic.twitter.com/PBmutmtAln

— ANGELA CONGIU (@ANGELACONGIU) February 8, 2015

#giulezampe dal mio leoncino! Firmate anche voi la petizione di @tessagelisio contro il pignoramento dei nostri amici pic.twitter.com/j1o1Btl8zm

— ersilia (@Apple_Lou7) February 6, 2015

#GIULEZAMPE pic.twitter.com/qlus2VJpii

— Adriana Santacroce (@AdriSantacroce) February 10, 2015