Cats

» Migisi - Reasons why

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Cats Indoors!
The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats
http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/poli...
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Over the last 5 years living on my country farmette, I've spayed/neutered 24 stray/abandoned cats and kittens, and have been fortunate to be able to 're-home' them. I adopted two strays myself, spayed both (even though they're kept indoors, accidental escape is possible).
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Most of the strays were in horrible condition. Some were shot; most were emaciated, wormy and sick; some had permanent injuries from car strikes and animal attacks; and a couple were pregnant looking for a safe place to deliver. None were feral... all were socialized to humans - seeking human help and companionship. Somebody just dumped their unwanted pet in the country to fend for itself.
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I'm a firm believer in 'cats indoors', and in spaying/neutering every cat and dog which won't be used for breeding. I worked at an animal shelter for ten years. There are too many born - too many abandoned - and far too few homes for them. If you're looking for a loving kitty, there are ~many~ to choose from at your local shelter. In fact, most shelters are overflowing.
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Adopt... don't buy.

-- posted by Migisi

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» ThatCrazyCatLady - Reasons why

In response to Reasons why posted by Migisi:

Thanks so much for sharing your message and the link! AND for the great work with kitties in need!

-- posted by ThatCrazyCatLady

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» Migisi - Reasons why

In response to Reasons why posted by ThatCrazyCatLady:

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I'm just a sucker for a furry or feathered face, Dar. Always have been.
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I've operated a private wildlife rehab center specializing in birds of prey for twenty years. Who knew I'd be taking in needy cats too when I moved to the country five years ago. I reckon ~somebody's~ gotta do it.
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I hooked up with a humane society manager who developed a feral cat catch/spay/release program. She explained that when breeders are removed from their territory, other breeders simply move in. So, to control feral populations in her town, her center captures the cats, spays/neuters them, marks them to ID them, and returns them to their original territory. They'll defend their territory against interlopers, but they won't breed. She's been doing this program for five years, and it's had a remarkable impact on reducing feral populations. The benefit is far fewer kitten admissions to her center. For lack of homes, she's had to euthanize many (she cried when she told me this).
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She also got her city to enact a 'cat at large' ordinance prohibiting free-roaming pets. She did this to reduce the risk that pets would be captured in her program, and pets would be admitted to her center as strays.
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What do you think about her ideas? Pros? Cons?

-- posted by Migisi

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» ThatCrazyCatLady - Reasons why

In response to Reasons why posted by Migisi:

Aw yeah, give me a little critter, and it instantly has complete control over me! I'll have to send you a link to the baby barred owl I rescued last spring - absolutely amazing experience!

I firmly believe in the work that trap/neuter/release programs do! In your case as a bird lover, it must be even more important!

I would certainly vote in favorite of a no free roaming pets act! With all my kitten adoptions, it is in my contract that the cats never be outside off a leash, and if they are, I have 100% legal right to take the cat back.

The only problem I see with her plans is that farms do use working cats to control mice and so forth. I can't imagine what a dairy would do without kitties. But maybe they should be licensed kitties that can only get their license tag with proof of spay or neuter? Dogs can't get their tags without a rabies shot...

AND, of course, if these type things do come into being, getting them enforced with always be an uphill battle. Out in the country where I am, vets won't even work to save a sick kitten. But just because it would be difficult certainly doesn't mean we can't all try, does it!

Great to see you!

-- posted by ThatCrazyCatLady

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» Migisi - Reasons why

In response to Reasons why posted by ThatCrazyCatLady:
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The only problem I see with her plans is that farms do use working cats to control mice and so forth. I can't imagine what a dairy would do without kitties.
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Agree. I have a barn myself. The owls and hawks housed inside it, and the two feral cats which prowl outside it, do a terrific job in pest control. Her program allows for free-roaming cats confined to their own property - like farms. As you know, spaying/neutering barn cats has no effect on their hunting skills. So, a dairy could maintain X number of good working cats without breeding - their progeny reproducing to pest level themselves.
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But maybe they should be licensed kitties that can only get their license tag with proof of spay or neuter?
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I'd go along with mandatory spay/neutering. It's not a new idea. States and counties have already adopted legislation similar to this model: http://www.instituteforanimalrightslaw.o... Exceptions could be inserted to exclude bonafide breeders, provided they didn't permit their cats to free-roam. Some municipalities have even proposed tax incentives for spay/neutering, and/or a 'free' dog/cat license for all pets that are fixed.
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AND, of course, if these type things do come into being, getting them enforced with always be an uphill battle.
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True about any law. But I think the majority of pet owners are responsible and would comply - some begrudgingly - but most willingly if the reasons for such rules were explained to them.
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Out in the country where I am, vets won't even work to save a sick kitten.
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My country vet will - if I pay for its care. Which I do, just as I do for my bird patients. So, you can imagine why I'd personally like to see the kitty problems reduced significantly or eliminated. You know what vet care costs.
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But just because it would be difficult certainly doesn't mean we can't all try, does it!
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I try. You try. That's two. Thousands of folks working in animal shelters and organizations try. I'd like to see the day when animal shelters aren't needed, and no beautiful and healthy animals are euthanized for lack of homes for them. I've seen too much of that, and it still breaks my heart.
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Great to see you!
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You too, Dar. In a different venue, for sure.

-- posted by Migisi

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» ThatCrazyCatLady - Reasons why

In response to Reasons why posted by Migisi:

Sorry to drop out of our conversation, but I'll be back in a couple of days - flu stuff here It has to end soon LOL

-- posted by ThatCrazyCatLady

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