Yes. Cats and dogs are indispensable as long as they remain useful.

They remain useful until they are recycled as fertiliser.

Seany, I am GLAD to hear that bluejays are still around where you are. I myself have not observed certain species where I am, in a long while. There may be less of them to go around, likely due to the bird flu.
By the way, has anyone heard anymore about all the bats dying off, due to that white fungus around their noses? I vaguely recall, years back, on CoastToCoastam, Major Ed Dames predicting killer fungus being a future problem. ( I saw on their website, that he is going to be on, this Thursday, 4-9-09).

Dog goes, cats can stay. We have barn cats to keep down the rats, mice, gofers and rattle snakes. Cats are a wear item here, like brakes on a car they just don't last long. Hawks, Owls, dogs, coyotes and cars take their toll. I have put our vets two kids through private school with spaying cats.

During and after WW2 ally rabbit was what my grand father got served in Paris. Or as my dad has often said "never name something you may have to eat".

The horses, dogs, and cats are going as long as I have a vehicle. If I had to walk/ride, the dogs and horses would go. All could be pack animals. If things got really bad, a couple of horses would become dinner/jerky.

As far as cats, I wish my cats would hang out by the garden. I wouldn't mind the fertilizer if they used it as a sand box and they would keep the Blue Jays from eating my tomatoes. As it is, I'll have to buy nets for the tomatoes.

Northern Raider, I think a lot of your description of cats pretty much applies to Humans: Unhygienic?--my cat would smell better after 30 days without a bath than I would!
Disease carrying--check
Kills for pleasure--check

They would be gathered up anytime I'd leave the house without plans for return, they're a part of the family...

I have an AmStaff to help watch over us, and a Spaniel breed to catch small game dinner.

Animals are just so much more in tune with what's going on around them, along with a list of indispensable abilities. Just like guns, if ya got 'em, bring em.

Without a doubt my dogs are a integral part of my bugout. Both of my Blue Weimaraners are trained to point quail and doves. They are not half bad at being rabbit & squirrel dogs either. With a small amount of tweaking I could train them to scent track deer.

Besides their ability to bring dinner to the table the Weims(along with my Heinz 57 Junk Yard Dawg) make a hell of a perimeter defense. One of the Weims weighs 120# & the other 88# and they all take no scat whatsoever from strangers.

As far as them being a possible source of protein(slaughtering them), this is beyond the pale as a viable possibility for me. I possess far too many skills in regards to hunting, fishing and foraging to ever resort to that atrocity. That's just the way I roll.

Depends on your pet. If it is chipped, well you have a problem. If it can't tolerate the elements, you have a problem. If it is out of your control with no leash, you have a problem. If it doesn't come when you call it, you have a problem. If you need to hide from someone, and your pet won't sit still, you have a problem. My dogs are extremely well trained, so I would bring them.

If any of you all were true survivalist you could live of the land for a very long period of time without consuming one iota of protein. Of course theres always the looting of empty stores, but that could put one in harms way, as i'm sure others would be doing the same thing as they to would have no idea how to really live off the land. Good luck with that

P.S. Besides the chipped dog. Do not drive your car to your Bug out location all new tires have RFID chip implants in the sidewalls, no cell phones, laptops. Only a hand cranked radio.

A Bramble Berry is simply a Black Berry & the Coccus is a form of Night Shade (Poisionous) That has a berry resembling a Black Berry. When I go out on the State trails here walking & taking pics I only ever have a bottle of water for thirst my snacks come from Mother Nature.

[edit on 6-4-2009 by smokehouseslim]

Ok maybe this post will work....My point was that I would rather eat berries/fruits/nuts/grains/ & whatever else the land has to offer than to eat my pet.

Originally posted by smokehouseslim
Ok maybe this post will work....My point was that I would rather eat berries/fruits/nuts/grains/ & whatever else the land has to offer than to eat my pet.

I got your point in your post. When you quote someone click your cursor after the bracket where it says quote, then hit enter two or three times.