There is a campaign in NZ to get rid of all cats including domestic pets.
We spend millions on try to eradicate rats, stoats etc. to protect native birds and lizards yet domestic cats are equally lethal killers.
I can appreciate the sentiment in a fragile and confined ecosystem, but I can't get behind any kind of program of eradication.
Just sounds plain evil to me.
A better solution might be to enforce mandatory indoor living for cats. It won't do any good to exterminate them, but native fauna populations are more important than introduced pets.
Think I agree but there has to be protection for both.
Why?
Cats were introduced (as were rats and stoats) and are killing off the native birds. A lot of native birds can't fly as they do (did) not have a need to as they had no predators.
Most of the lizards are gone including the Tuatara which has been around since prehistoric times.
It is never going to happen (eliminating domestic and feral cats) however I have no problem with it.
Youse might want to read this book - she lived with big cats in Africa and India, and basically argues that all cats share the same traits and culture, including so-called domestic cats. I tend to agree with her. There's a great passage where she's in Africa and there are some semi-domstic small cats around the camp and a semi-tame lioness. One of the wee cats was pregnant, and the the lioness showed her complete deference. Fascinating book.
Strong shoes is what we got and when they're hot they're hot!
- Marky Dread and his fabulous Screaming Blue Messiahs
Cats are the ultimate survivors. Interesting to read about their history. Maybe the only animal that domesticated itself - versus being domesticated by humans. That said - I think the line between being domestic and being wild is still very blurry for the "domestic" cat. Great documentary I recently watched called "The Lion in Your Living Room" and they had some expert who mentioned what was truly remarkable about the cat was that they offered very little to humans, yet they managed to earn a place in our homes and are today the most popular pet in the world.
The assessment of housecats that I've always liked is that, when we take them in as kittens and teach them that, don't worry, we'll provide food and shelter, we stunt their maturity, leaving them in a certain state of kitten dependence the rest of their lives. Not that I regret that one iota. My girls aren't being unleashed into society, where they will interact and affect others, so I don't give a lick about their social development. I spoil my girls without a second thought because I love the bastards and am in a position of making their lives comfortable. They don't know a life without us and feel a loss when we're not around—even if I'm not home when they're fed supper, when I return they both get really excited. It's not just material dependence, but a psychological attachment. Their happiness and contentment necessarily nurtures my own.
Nice one, Doc. Exactly my view.
And it's not just some "New Age-y" fairy tale that says animals (most commonly cats and dogs and rabbits etc.) are salutary to humans mental and indeed physical health - it's straight up science. Fact. And this fact wasn't just discovered in the late 20th century either.
Strong shoes is what we got and when they're hot they're hot!
- Marky Dread and his fabulous Screaming Blue Messiahs
Cats are the ultimate survivors. Interesting to read about their history. Maybe the only animal that domesticated itself - versus being domesticated by humans. That said - I think the line between being domestic and being wild is still very blurry for the "domestic" cat. Great documentary I recently watched called "The Lion in Your Living Room" and they had some expert who mentioned what was truly remarkable about the cat was that they offered very little to humans, yet they managed to earn a place in our homes and are today the most popular pet in the world.
The assessment of housecats that I've always liked is that, when we take them in as kittens and teach them that, don't worry, we'll provide food and shelter, we stunt their maturity, leaving them in a certain state of kitten dependence the rest of their lives. Not that I regret that one iota. My girls aren't being unleashed into society, where they will interact and affect others, so I don't give a lick about their social development. I spoil my girls without a second thought because I love the bastards and am in a position of making their lives comfortable. They don't know a life without us and feel a loss when we're not around—even if I'm not home when they're fed supper, when I return they both get really excited. It's not just material dependence, but a psychological attachment. Their happiness and contentment necessarily nurtures my own.
Nice one, Doc. Exactly my view.
And it's not just some "New Age-y" fairy tale that says animals (most commonly cats and dogs and rabbits etc.) are salutary to humans mental and indeed physical health - it's straight up science. Fact. And this fact wasn't just discovered in the late 20th century either.
Interesting although I'd suggest was different for dogs. Dogs are pack animals so living in a family group (of other dogs or not) is natural behaviour for them. They know their place in the family like they would know their place in pack. Their behaviour is normal.
I can appreciate the sentiment in a fragile and confined ecosystem, but I can't get behind any kind of program of eradication.
Just sounds plain evil to me.
A better solution might be to enforce mandatory indoor living for cats. It won't do any good to exterminate them, but native fauna populations are more important than introduced pets.
Think I agree but there has to be protection for both.
Why?
Because mankind introduced the cat as a domestic animal and so therefore has an obligation of responsibility to them. Or are you arguing that it's a case of feral versus domestication?
Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty
We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.
A better solution might be to enforce mandatory indoor living for cats. It won't do any good to exterminate them, but native fauna populations are more important than introduced pets.
Think I agree but there has to be protection for both.
Why?
Because mankind introduced the cat as a domestic animal and so therefore has an obligation of responsibility to them. Or are you arguing that it's a case of feral versus domestication?
Both.
I don't think the cat population was intentionally introduced to NZ, more than likely jumped ship. If owners spayed their cats and then didn't replace them when they died the domestic population would die out naturally. Feral cats should be euthanised anyway in NZ.
There is a campaign in NZ to get rid of all cats including domestic pets.
We spend millions on try to eradicate rats, stoats etc. to protect native birds and lizards yet domestic cats are equally lethal killers.
I can appreciate the sentiment in a fragile and confined ecosystem, but I can't get behind any kind of program of eradication.
Just sounds plain evil to me.
I think a far more humane solution would be to implement a TNR program for feral cats.
Got a Rake? Sure!
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
There is a campaign in NZ to get rid of all cats including domestic pets.
We spend millions on try to eradicate rats, stoats etc. to protect native birds and lizards yet domestic cats are equally lethal killers.
I can appreciate the sentiment in a fragile and confined ecosystem, but I can't get behind any kind of program of eradication.
Just sounds plain evil to me.
I think a far more humane solution would be to implement a TNR program for feral cats.
There is a campaign in NZ to get rid of all cats including domestic pets.
We spend millions on try to eradicate rats, stoats etc. to protect native birds and lizards yet domestic cats are equally lethal killers.
I can appreciate the sentiment in a fragile and confined ecosystem, but I can't get behind any kind of program of eradication.
Just sounds plain evil to me.
I think a far more humane solution would be to implement a TNR program for feral cats.
What is a TNR program?
Trap...neuter...return.
"They don't think it be like it is, but it do." - Oscar Gamble
There is a campaign in NZ to get rid of all cats including domestic pets.
We spend millions on try to eradicate rats, stoats etc. to protect native birds and lizards yet domestic cats are equally lethal killers.
I can appreciate the sentiment in a fragile and confined ecosystem, but I can't get behind any kind of program of eradication.
Just sounds plain evil to me.
I think a far more humane solution would be to implement a TNR program for feral cats.
What is a TNR program?
Tom's nuts removed.
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
I can appreciate the sentiment in a fragile and confined ecosystem, but I can't get behind any kind of program of eradication.
Just sounds plain evil to me.
I think a far more humane solution would be to implement a TNR program for feral cats.
What is a TNR program?
Trap...neuter...return.
I have less time for feral cats who do most of the damage. A TNR program would be too hard to manage and too damaging in the interim.
Plus what happens when a domestic cat goes feral or its kittens abandoned back to square one.
I think a far more humane solution would be to implement a TNR program for feral cats.
What is a TNR program?
Trap...neuter...return.
I have less time for feral cats who do most of the damage. A TNR program would be too hard to manage and too damaging in the interim.
Plus what happens when a domestic cat goes feral or its kittens abandoned back to square one.
TNR programs have been extremely successful in cities where implemented. It's humane and ends up greatly reducing the population. It's not at all too hard to manage.
Got a Rake? Sure!
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy