Feral Cats - Societys Problem Children
There is a lot of talk going on about what to do with the issue of feral cat population. Some measures have been proposed which will allow residents to kill what they perceive to be feral cats on their property. This suggestion has caused a bit of a stir, and amongst cat lovers, it is quite understandable. Cats are natural wanderers and a treasured feline may make a mischievous dash out of its home only to find itself hunted quarry in a neighboring property. There are more humane solutions being practiced right now which entail trapping feral cats, neutering and then releasing them back to their environment (TNR). Critics of this method maintain that the problem of cat predation on local small animal populations still exists after neutering, and that a continuous supply of stray cats are finding their fertile way into these feral communities every day. Thus, any positive gains realized by the TNR program are being constantly negated by the actions, or inactions, of irresponsible pet owners. There doesn't appear to be any immediate, cut and dry solution to feral cats except to keep employing the TNR program and educating the public about how to be accountable for their cats. Local laws can be enacted to impose fines on owners whose cats are caught wandering on a frequent basis. Social pressure can be fostered in the form of campaigns that suggest it is absolutely not cool and downright irresponsible to have unneutered or unspayed cats wandering around. This, of course, would not be applied to owners of show and working cats where planned breeding is necessary for their specific breed. It comes down to the fact that over 64% of U.S. households have pets, and the majority of these pets are considered as family members. Cats are the rebellious, independent members of the family unit. They shouldn't be left to their own devices nor should they be discarded like disposable lighters. Similar to any wayward teenager of a family, special measures and tolerances have to be adopted in order to get the loved ones through a difficult time in their lives and bring them back into the fold of family unity. Cats are a bit different in that they are "wayward children" for life, however, they can be conditioned to accept a house-bound lifestyle. Having them spayed or neutered (we're talking about cats now - not teenagers) will help temper their wanderlust a little, and there are some great outdoor "playpens" and containment equipment designed just for the benefit of felines. Some cats can be trained to walk on a leash for nightly jaunts, however, that may not be particularly healthy for you or the cat if there are too many unleashed dogs in the neighborhood. Do what you can to help alleviate the problem of cats turning feral. The animal welfare organizations and volunteers are doing what they can to deal with the current populations by using TNR, rescuing and adopting of cats. But the flow of new, fertile, domestic cats into the feral communities must be stopped at the family, neighborhood and regional level. This is accomplished through public awareness campaigns, teaching school children about responsible pet ownership, social pressure and individual involvement. It's a long uphill road, yet it can be accomplished, one or two kitties at a time. Cris Mandelin-Wood owns several websites covering domestic animals as well as Web information services and products. Animal welfare issues are of special interest. To sign up for the monthly Critterbytes Ezine, go to http://shelters.theanimalnet.com and select the state you live in. Once there you will find a listing of local animal welfare organizations and a sign up box for the ezine.
Related News
Group gets pets out for storm - The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com
Group gets pets out for stormThe Times-Picayune - NOLA.com, LA -1 hour agoThe Best Friends Rapid Response Team provided 3000 pet carriers when it learned some animals were turned away from buses because they didn't have their own ... |
Keeping Track of Pets - Washington Post
Keeping Track of PetsWashington Post, United States -Sep 5, 2008Dear Heloise: Thanks for telling pet owners to put COLLARS WITH LICENSES for identification on their pets. Please also continue to recommend microchips. ... |
Pedigree pets dumped in record numbers - Times Online
Pedigree pets dumped in record numbersTimes Online, UK -8 hours agoPedigree cats are also among the pets needing new homes as owners face rising living costs. Anne Power, a co-ordinator for the Ragdoll Rehome Group, ... |
Prepare for any disaster with pets - Daily Herald
Prepare for any disaster with petsDaily Herald, UT -1 hour ago1 thing you must remember when it comes to disaster management is that you cannot rely on someone else to rescue and care for your pets. ... |
Pets of the Week - Salt Lake Tribune
Pet care facilities available during storms - ENC Today
PetSmart helping homeless pets on September weekend - Newnan Times-Herald
Pets of the week - Tri Valley Herald
Pets of the weekTri Valley Herald, CA -12 minutes agoPets are available for adoption at the Tri-City Animal Shelter, run by the city of Fremont, and at the nonprofit Furry Friends Rescue showcases. ... |
City mulls making it law to spay, neuter pets - Houston Chronicle
City mulls making it law to spay, neuter petsHouston Chronicle, United States -Sep 5, 2008Won't my pet become overweight? Get answers. Readers debate the benefits of holding off on neutering for a couple of years. Join the discussion. ... |
Tropical storm and disaster preparedness for pets - Tri Parish Times
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Power of Dogs
Well first of all I was always a cat owner, till my husband bought our first Chihuahua (Stitch) in 2002, Stitch was about 6 weeks old and was generally purchased for our children and it stud that was till he was about 5 months or so. Then I started to notice that he was starting to favor me and follow me around more and more everyday, one day I hid from him and watched him run up and down the hallway from the crack in the bedroom door, until he found me and it just melted my heart, my cats never did that and after that he became ALL MINE Stitch stole my heart. Around a month later my mother handed down her old sewing machine to me, I tried making everything that came to mind but nothing ever turned out perfect, but I kept sewing anyways.
West Highland White Terriers- Fascinating Facts
West Highland White Terriers began their history as the undesirable white offspring of the dark-colored Cairn Terrier. With the dog's popularity today, it is hard to believe that the early Westies were usually drowned or shot.
Responsible Dog Ownership
With all the companionship and love that our dogs give so freely, it's hard to imagine that some owners just don't take responsibility for their dogs. But it's true. Millions of dogs-healthy dogs-are euthanized every year. Whether through owner neglect or owner ignorance, millions of healthy dogs will endure the same fate this year. So what's a responsible dog owner to do? The best thing you can do, as a dog owner, is to ensure that your dog doesn't become a statistic, and you do that through responsible pet ownership.
Cats Make Great Pets If You Understand Them
Anyone wanting a new kitten should be a cat lover. Let's face it, folks, cats are just different from dogs. Cats do not usually perform any special tricks, and they certainly do not guard your possessions while you are away. In fact, the only thing you can be guaranteed of by having a cat is that a mouse won't last long if they creep into your home.
Choosing the Right Dog Breeder
When looking to purchase a purebred dog, you need to search for a breeder from which to purchase the creature. This can typically be as simple as opening the advertising part of your local newspaper, however you need to be sure that you're choosing a reputable breeder. There are many ways to verify that the breeder you're contacting is dependable, knowledgeable, professional, and trustworthy.
Your Purrrfect Companion
Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most expressive about its needs. The feline loves to be pampered and cared for. Don't you just love the pretty pussy pictures they make? They can also become 'sulkily aggressive' at times. Understanding their feelings and needs is not at all difficult.
Interior Decorating for Cat Owners - Protecting Your Pet
Part 2: Protecting your pet
A Beginners Guide to Lovebirds
Lovebirds are so named from the way they sit close to each
other, not because they are in love with each other. Lovebirds
can and do mate for life, but it doesn't happen every time.
Rules of Thumb for Saddle Fit
In compiling some information on achieving a proper fit to the horse when purchasing a saddle I came across several "Rules of Thumb" to bear in mind. There's a wealth of information available on the subject of saddle fitting, some of it contradictory. It's easy for the first time (or even second time) saddle buyer to get confused . The following Rules of Thumb are designed to help a prospective buyer get pointed in the right direction.
What Should I Make My Snake Cage From?
What kind of materials should you use when constructing a snake cage? Snakes come in many different sizes ? but usually only one shape. Even so, there are many different housing systems and styles for snakes. These depend on the adult size of the snake, how much room you have, the environment it normally inhabits and how much money you are willing to spend.
Amazing Insights Of A Horse Training Expert From The Late 1800s!
Could a horse trainer, born about 154 years ago, teach us anything new today? Would the methods be old hat or would they be useful?
Pet Services Are A Multi-Billion-Dollar Industry
There are many of us who consider our pets as part of the family, and this is evidenced by a recent statistic that states 65% of all U.S. homes own at least one pet. Along with this increase in pet ownership comes the need for services tailored for our pet's comfort. And, because of this trend, pet services have grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry that encompasses a wide range of services from pet supplies to recovery services aimed at returning our lost pets.
Small Dogs - Different Breeds, Different Personalities
Small dog breeds are great pets, but since their personalities are all different, it's a good idea to look at their individual characteristics to see if they fit with your lifestyle.
Westies Puppies - How to Prepare for Your Westie Puppy
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you will need to prepare before you bring home your westie puppy. The needs of westies puppies are not tremendous, but there are a few things that you must have in place to give your westie a safe, happy transition into your life.
Pilling a Cat
Pilling a cat can be a "nightmarish" experience. Cats don't want something pushed down their throats, and they'll fight with all their might to prevent it. In fact, it's amazing how powerful their small bodies can be. Here are some ways to make the pilling process easier and less stressful ? for both you and your cat.
RecoveryPets.Com vs. Other Pet Registration Services
For those pet owners who do not know what a pet registration service is, or the benefits they provide, this article will try to explain these services. Pet registration is how lost pets get returned to their owners, it as simple as that. The owner of a pet registers their pet with a service provider, and the owners contact information is available if the pet ever gets lost. Now, there are many companies that offer this type of service, and we will try to compare the services of RecoveryPets.Com with other companies that offer this type of service to find the one that provides the best benefits for its clients.
Your First Cichlid Aquarium
So you're thinking about trying cichlids. A good choice. In this article I shall try to give a few examples of good cichlid aquariums that are suitable for beginners. I've tried to suggest set-ups that will be beautiful and easy to maintain, and species that are easily bred so that you might observe this fascinating side of cichlid behaviour.
Tips to Help Solve the Three Most Common Dog Barking Complaints
Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even embarrassed by their dog's constant barking. Currently, there are approximately 63 million dogs owned by 44 million Americans. And just over one third of those owners complain of excessive barking.
Declawing Your Cat
This is a very controversial topic which has a lot of emotion behind but it needs to be looked at. As a cat owner who has experienced difficulty dealing with a cat scratching issue in my home, it is difficult not to be biased but let's give the issue of declawing its due and see what exactly the pros and cons are.
What Your Cat Wants You To Know
If your feline friend could speak your language, here a few things she would probably like you to know.
|
