This started with a note on the Neighborhood App. (By the way, it wasn't our neighborhood, but still...) It starts with:
"I'm so tired of neighbors' cats roaming the streets and henceforth neighbor's yards."
Apparently she herself owns a cat and only lets it outside while she watches it (which is probably a good practice - not only because of other "neighbors' cats roaming, but also because of feral cats, bobcats, and coyotes which also roam the neighborhood). But she is upset because her cat has now started 'marking her territory' both inside and outside her home... and this is due to the other cats being around. She goes on to complain about those who leave their garage door open in bad weather, feed feral cats, etc.
Now I understand that having other animals come into your yard can be an inconvenience. Lots of things are inconvenient. That's life. So no outside or feral animals are allowed in her subdivision? Really? So... if it has a home, but is left outside to roam, it's owner doesn't love it, or if it's homeless, it doesn't deserve to have shelter or food? I find this hard to understand... only her personal animal is loved because she is a 'responsible owner'? She may be responsible (which is a good thing), but does she only care for her own animal?
I know I will get a lack of flack over this. And that's OK. I do understand the other side of the issue. I've been in the animal medical business my whole life. And I do know that this is just my opinion. If this political climate has taught me anything, it's taught me that everyone certainly doesn't think like me. This goes for the welfare of animals too.
If things were ideal, there would be no homeless animals (or homeless people for that matter), but things are not ideal, and we deal with them as best we can... humanely and with compassion. The catch and release program for strays is a great program where the cats are caught, vaccinated, neutered, and released (which by the way wouldn't solve her 'roaming cats' problem). But not all the ferals can be caught... and not all owners wish to keep their cats inside (it is safer - but that's a personal preference).
In my own mind, there is probably not an answer to some of these problems... except maybe to show a little love and kindness... to others besides your own.
Enough said. Rant over.
Thanks for letting me have my say (whether you agree with it or not)...
Hugs,
Rian
In my neighborhood the divisiveness is between dog and cat people. I won't be surprised if it makes it into the HOA rules that everyone must choose a side and put a cat or a dog sticker on the front door. A former neighbor had a bird that sometimes resided on his screened porch. Such an uproar! He was cited for violating the noise ordinance. You may get the idea that it's people I don't care for. Sometimes that's the truth.
ReplyDeleteSomeone was cited for bird noise! Really?? People can be so-oo strange.
DeleteNo argument from me! Maybe this person has a "trophy" cat. I'm of the mind that if you love animals, you do your best to be kind. It's fine if she can't or isn't willing to help the ferals in particular, but at least afford them enough compassion to let them be. I'm sure wildlife roam in her yard too, as they do everywhere else. Maybe she'd like to complain about them?
ReplyDeleteOn the flip side, I definitely can understand how she would NOT be happy about her own cat marking INSIDE the house, not just outside. :-/
I agree, it's fine if she isn't willing to help the ferals (cats or other critters). No one is asking her to do this. But to go on and on about how she is a cat lover, but no cat should be outside unwatched or loose for any reason is a bit unreasonable (IMO anyway). And of course I too understand how she would not be happy with her own cat marking territory inside... but to blast all ferals because of it doesn't make sense to me.
DeleteI knew there was a good reason for living in the country. We tend to live and let live and don't worry about what someone else does for it really doesn't affect us. Can see where living in close quarters could bring out the complainers though.
ReplyDeleteThat kitten on the shoe is enough to break your heart.
You are right about living in the country, Patti. Wish we could... but we're on a greenback with a creek that runs through several areas. We get feral cats, box turtles, possums, raccoons, snakes, and the occasional armadillo, bobcat, and coyote. Wildlife is abundant and we love it. Some don't.
DeleteYes, that final picture is certainly enough to make anybody think twice about not caring for others. I agree with everything in your rant!
ReplyDeleteThanks, DJan. I know there are those who don't... and that's OK. Sometimes I just feel the need to state my case.
DeleteI can understand her being upset about her cat - but I wonder if there is something medically going on that it is marking so much. Saku, my youngest cat was bad for that when Sami passed away. He's since settled down but I think he was upset at her not being here.
ReplyDeleteIf she really cares about all of the animals, she ought to be part of the solution. Either helping with or providing financial support to TNR and other rescue groups. In Ottawa, (our federal capital), has a cat sanctuary on the Hill where the legislative buildings are situated. There are a group who take care of the cats, ensure they are spayed and neutered as best they can, and provide veterinary care when necessary.
I wish all cats (and dogs) had a comfortable and safe forever home. But sadly, that isn't the case so those who help the ferals out are angels in my opinion.
Cats do get upset and respond in inappropriate ways... marking territory is one. This is not unusual. It is a problem and I sympathize with that. But "blaming" it on outside strays or ferals doesn't help her situation... and to go on in her rant that people who let their animals outside or leave out food/water for ferals don't love the animals is too much.
DeleteThat photo is heart wrenching!! Of course I love all animals. Our pets have always been indoor pets.
ReplyDeleteThere's always those that complain about dog packs, feral cats, feeding birds, etc. No compassion.
Annie, our inside cats didn't go out either... and they were taken inside when kittens from feral mamas who had kittens in our yard. We bottle fed them and kept the first 5, then as years went by, we had to do the same with others, but couldn't keep them all, so we continued to take the kittens inside, bottle fed them, and when old enough they went to the Adoption Room at our local shelter... and we had their mama spayed. The people at the Shelter know us. This went on for years. NOW the mamas know not to bring the kittens around until they are about 6 weeks old... and run really fast! We're 75 and catching them is no longer an option. So we simply supply food and water as needed...
DeleteI agree with keeping pets indoors, for their safety, primarily. However, you'll never keep a feral cat indoors, so best to trap and neuter if possible. And if not, just be nice. And so I see I agree, too.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree on the safety issue too, Joanne. But there will always be feral animals.. and being kind to them is a simple thing to do.
Deletei have a neighbor who has many cats, i assume feral cats, that wander the neighborhood and are in my yard all of the time. they eat the birds, and use the yard like a toilet, all of the time. i don't really like it but i have never said anything, nor would i. i don't know or understand that whole cat thing, i am not a cat person...
ReplyDeletepeople walk their dogs past my house. the dogs lift their legs on my tulip garden and pee away. the urine is also dripping down my white mailbox post. sometimes i see them but i don't say anything. i assume that since one dog has peed there, it is now a great spot for others to pee on top of. i don't like it, i plant flowers in that area...but i think dog owners should know better, it seems they don't. i clean up dog poop in my yard all of the time and i cringe as i do it!!
i am not really sure what the answer is but i prefer not to clean up after other peoples animals!!
I do understand your view, Debbie. And I don't like it when people walk their dogs and let them poop or pee on our lawn or around the mailbox... but they do and I don't say anything either. Although I did once go out and say something to a neighbor who let her big dog chase a feral cat when he were 'sleeping on my front porch'. I felt that was mean and thoughtless and told her so... nicely. But here I'm talking about animals that do have a home and a person who as you said, "should know better". But ferals who roam don't know better, it's nature... and yes, they do kill birds (but they also kill rats! - here on the creek we never have a rat problem due to the ferals). I'm not sure what the answer if either, but feral animals will always be around and I just think we need to be kind.
Deletehappy mothers day...it's almost over!!!
DeleteRian I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner, your 'rant' is perfectly justifiable. I'm hooked on this young woman's videos on Youtube, "Kitten Lady" who travels to various neighborhoods with wet food & cages, to trap feral cats long enough to get them neutered or spayed, then returned to their outside community. She says it's very difficult to domesticate older feral cats, but the least we can do is offer them food & shelter. I think what you shared here was great.
ReplyDeleteNo problem, Dug. It is difficult to domesticate older feral cats... but they do come to trust you outside after a while... not to touch, but you can see their trust when they don't run off when they see you. We have 2 old males that come by... one has a crippled front paw and one has only one eye... both we're amazed have survived so long. We're always glad to see them.
DeleteAs for feral kittens, the first 5 siblings we took in made the "best" most loving inside cats, but we did take them in at about 3-4 weeks and bottle fed them. But they never went outside again and to be honest, didn't even seem to be interested.
Speaking of pissed off ... I've taken in two stray cats in my life. Both ended up peeing in the house. Fortunately, my roommate took the first one when we got new apartments. And the second one? Well, it was Sassy and I loved her, and it was probably my fault anyway. But anyway, I agree, there should be no homeless animals and no homeless people.
ReplyDeleteSome cats have habits that are difficult if not impossible to break. Some have physical problems, mental issues, etc. Not all animals are meant to be inside. But that doesn't mean that we don't try to help.
DeleteThe sad part about feral cats is that they can never be domesticated. They are also not a natural part of the ecosystem and thus eat lizards, birds, etc. that would normally not have to avoid cats. My neighbor feeds our local feral cat and that makes me think it eats less wildlife...at least I hope so.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I agree with that, Tabor. Some are very docile... although they have a limit to their trust. And some (just like any other animal) have personalities that don't like to hunt if there's other food available. The feral cats around here have never caused DH and I any trouble, don't bother to catch birds much (but do like to sneak up on them), never get into the garbage, etc. Now some ferals do eat birds, squirrels, rats, snakes, etc. And the larger animals like coyotes and bobcats eat the ferals... that is nature's way.
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