Comments on: Stray cats

By: skeet

skeet — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 22:46:31 +0000

That’s the thing that some folks just dont’get, Joanna. Pet ownership comes with responsibilty, to the animals and to the community.

BTW - your blog opens briefly for me (a second or two) then goes to an error page. I’ve been having browser problems, so maybe it’s just me, but you might want to ask for a little reader feedback just to be sure.

By: skeet

skeet — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 22:43:23 +0000

We have a huge feral cat problem, Martin. My community is out in the country, at the “end of the road.” A lot of folks dump their unwanted cats out here. We also have an “Adopt a Colony” program where people can capture the feral cats, bring them in for a free sterilization and then release them back into their original habitat, having made the committment to feed them. It’s greatly reduced the wild population, but since folks are still dumping it’s an ongoing thing.

By: skeet

skeet — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 22:30:17 +0000

It’s just cruel to expose cats to the dangers of an urban environment, Em. I’m glad you protect yours!

By: Cat Problems

Cat Problems — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 03:41:13 +0000

Stray Cat Problems will always exist in our society because we do not have enough control in preventing the overpopulation from occurring in the first place. It is an unfortunate fact that there will always be people abandoning their pets. However more education and local government control can drastically slow down the process. There are already a number of non-profit organizations that help out but the problem gets worse because we need more of them.

By: Joana

Joana — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 22:19:15 +0000

As I mentioned on the board, I feel you pretty much summed up my feelings in a more eloquent manner. I posted a more detailed version of my opinion on my blog, but essentially I feel that before people should go sticking labels of “animal abuser” and “animal cruelty” on this person they should first take a look at the owners. The pet owners in question are clearly negligent. If my own cats or dogs wander off our property and animal control picks them up I would have to pay a fine, as a negligent owner, for not keeping control of them. Sure it can be hard, especially with cats that want to get outdoors, but there are methods and ways to accommodate our furry friends. They’re like children, and as such, as pet owners it’s our responsibility to look after and care for them.

By: Martin

Martin — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 13:09:10 +0000

There is a feral cat population here. My kids started feeding them this spring. I am planning to borrow a trap in a month and take several to be neutered. The government is funding a population control program this year.

Free roaming cats do not have the greatest quality of life. I prefer them to free roaming rats.

By: emsxiety

emsxiety — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 00:53:14 +0000

I am proudly owned by four cats ranging in age from 15 years to 9 months. At no time do my cats go outside to roam freely. If they leave the house it is with a human companion and in a carrier or leashed.

I completely agree with you and how you feel all this should be handled 100%. Cats should not be allowed to roam freely.