Should domestic cats be eradicated to protect wildlife?

Originally posted by riverwild
First of all, cats can be trained "not" to jump on kitchen tables or counter tops.

If they do happen to jump on the table, it's nothing that a little 409 (or the like of) wont take off by wiping it down.

Also, cats are very clean animals that clean their feet and body after a moment in the litter box.

I'd much rather have a cat than have to deal with the many diseases that mice and rats carry.

Rats and mice spread over 35 diseases. Just a few of what they can pass on to humans are,

To be fair, cats do spread a parasite (toxoplasma gondii parasite) which is linked to birth defects, blindness and dementia in humans.

Link

Cats in the UK (population of 60 million) infect 350,000 people a year. In other words, almost half of the UK population will get infected during their life time. The effects on unborn children can be devastating, including blindness and premature birth.

I think humans have outperformed cats by far in the eradication of wildlife worldwide! Collars and bells for humanity?

Originally posted by minkmouse
I think humans have outperformed cats by far in the eradication of wildlife worldwide! Collars and bells for humanity?

This is a real problem.

It's no laughing matter in the US either:

BBC

Their analysis revealed that the cat killings were much higher than previous studies had suggested: they found that they had killed more than four times as many birds as has been previously estimated.

Dr Pete Marra from the SCBI said: "Our study suggests that they are the top threat to US wildlife."

The team said that "un-owned" cats, which they classified as strays, feral cats and farm cats, were killing about three times as many animals as pet cats. However, they said pet cats were still killing significant numbers of animals, and that their owners should do more to limit the impact.

Dr Marra said: "We hope that the large amount of wildlife mortality indicated by our research convinces some cat owners to keep their cats indoors and that it alerts policymakers, wildlife managers and scientists to the large magnitude of wildlife mortality caused by cat predation."

Originally posted by Theflyingweldsman

Originally posted by minkmouse
I think humans have outperformed cats by far in the eradication of wildlife worldwide! Collars and bells for humanity?

This is a real problem.

It's no laughing matter in the US either:

BBC

Who's laughing! Have you checked the state of the oceans lately?

Originally posted by ForestForager
reply to post by _Phoenix_

 

There is no point in arguing I guess... humanity is all and nature is nothing under the eyes of humanity... one day nature will be nothing, and humanity will wish they saw and understood nature for something while it still was something.

Nature is very messy and always trying to bite or sting me or give me a disease!

Originally posted by ForestForager

I've killed several cats in my time that I've found wandering around my old neighborhood that may have been someones pets,I didn't care

edit on 3-2-2013 by ForestForager because: (no reason given)

There you go, no empathy. Sounds like you may be a sociopath. You said it yourself, you don't care if they are stray or someone's pet. Thanks for the information, though. Even if my cat gets out by mistake I have the comfort of knowing nutcases like you are out there ready to kill animals for absolutely no reason whatsoever. You must be single, I take it? I really hope you get reported, caught and charged. Congrats on admitting to everyone that you are a violent animal killer. You should be proud. Do you have kids? What would they say if they saw you do that? What if some little girl had her cat killed by your arrogant stupidity? Seriously, take a good hard look in the mirror and take some time to reflect and think about how your actions may have effected others, but I fear sociopaths are incapable of such a thing.

Originally posted by Xtrozero
Yes....for no other reason than that I hate cats...

2nd

Well my wife was like you until she got a cat for our daughter now she loves them you have to live with them to understand them! a bit like humans

Anyway easy cure to the problem all cats should have a collar with a bell

I've lost count of the times I've had to stop local boys from tormenting birds and marauding nests. By boys I mean boys from little 8 year olds to young men near 18 by the looks of them. Maybe we ought to have a neuter and release and bell-collar program for the boys around here.

Feral cats, feral dogs, feral pythons that used to be pets are a man-made problem. Blindly hating and destroying the animals on sight is yet another man-made problem and not really a good solution, just more degeneration into thoughtless destruction.

Neutering and colony management do work, my parents did this to manage stray dogs and cats in their area for years. But it is a slow process without enough manpower and funding. People want quick and cheap solutions to problems they created and let fester for generations, and compassion be damned.

Ultimately some feral animals will have to be euthanized. But declaring open season on them is just inviting or sanctioning psychopaths to put some to death in horrific ways and calling it a public service.

Originally posted by SplitInfinity

The ones I saw while Deer Hunting were freeking big also and I and my friend went back to their tracks the next day and made a plaster of paris imprint. My buddy brought it to the town which...LOST THE PRINT!

Yeah...they lost it all right!

Split Infinity

Same thing in Washington State with Wolves...The official statement is that there are no wolves in the state, and I have seen some really...really big coyotes then..

Originally posted by ForestForager

I've killed several cats in my time that I've found wandering around my old neighborhood that may have been someones pets, I didn't care... if it's not on a leash or in a house, I consider it a stray and a threat to local wildlife.

My cat Benjamin I adopted from a shelter. He was abandoned in the middle of winter in the snow; someone found him turned him into a shelter and 3 weeks later I adopted him. He is so loving, fun and just a joy to be around. He is one of the blessings in my life.

I am so glad you were not around when he was outside; in trauma and trying to find his way. The fact that you have killed several cats; to me is very disturbing.

Originally posted by ForestForager

I've killed several cats in my time that I've found wandering around my old neighborhood that may have been someones pets,I didn't care

Well may be ATS should be asked to give your details to the relevant authorities to deal with YOU!!!

Originally posted by Raxoxane
reply to post by ForestForager

 

That is a big dilemma,cats are extremely difficult to keep in a yard,unlike dogs.The collar with the bell is a good plan,but it has to be introduced at a young age,so they get used to it early.Ive heard what a massive problem parts of NZ has with feral cats,we have friends there.I wish you would'nt kill cats though,it may be some one's beloved pet.

It is getting pretty sick, people must keep their dogs on a leash but cats are free to roam in every
yard, trash can, and dumpster...

They are nuisance animal that is why the chinese eat them.. Maybe we should pick up on the culture cue.

Originally posted by caladonea

Originally posted by ForestForager

I've killed several cats in my time that I've found wandering around my old neighborhood that may have been someones pets, I didn't care... if it's not on a leash or in a house, I consider it a stray and a threat to local wildlife.

My cat Benjamin I adopted from a shelter. He was abandoned in the middle of winter in the snow; someone found him turned him into a shelter and 3 weeks later I adopted him. He is so loving, fun and just a joy to be around. He is one of the blessings in my life.

I am so glad you were not around when he was outside; in trauma and trying to find his way. The fact that you have killed several cats; to me is very disturbing.

No one cares about your cat and it's story please stay on topic...

Should they be eradicated is a big YES... end of story. keep your cat leashed, caged, or in the house..

Originally posted by gangdumstyle

Originally posted by caladonea

Originally posted by ForestForager

I've killed several cats in my time that I've found wandering around my old neighborhood that may have been someones pets, I didn't care... if it's not on a leash or in a house, I consider it a stray and a threat to local wildlife.

My cat Benjamin I adopted from a shelter. He was abandoned in the middle of winter in the snow; someone found him turned him into a shelter and 3 weeks later I adopted him. He is so loving, fun and just a joy to be around. He is one of the blessings in my life.

I am so glad you were not around when he was outside; in trauma and trying to find his way. The fact that you have killed several cats; to me is very disturbing.

No one cares about your cat and it's story please stay on topic...

Should they be eradicated is a big YES... end of story. keep your cat leashed, caged, or in the house..

Please speak for yourself...I care about the story of Benjamin and it IS on topic because some schmuk who posted earlier would have shot the poor thing, a big yes to the idea of eradicating the so called pest some would argue cats are!

Originally posted by gangdumstyle


No one cares about your cat and it's story please stay on topic...

Should they be eradicated is a big YES... end of story. keep your cat leashed, caged, or in the house..

You are wrong...there are many who may care about my cat.

NO...I do not think eradicating cats will solve the problem.

reply to post by ollncasino

No that is complete and utter asinine that Gareth Morgan is offering. Figured to see such "opinion" after the recent article about cats and wildlife came out once again.

Originally posted by ForestForager

I've killed several cats in my time that I've found wandering around my old neighborhood that may have been someones pets, I didn't care... if it's not on a leash or in a house, I consider it a stray and a threat to local wildlife. Don't get me wrong, I love cats, but they are predators, and need to be controlled. If you are going to let your cat out and wander, please collar it with an attached bell. That simple measure will spook its prey, and I may let it live to return to its semi-responsible owner (semi-responsible because any animals considered pets should NOT be wandering around off of your property).

edit on 3-2-2013 by ForestForager because: (no reason given)

Wait let me get this straight? You love cats but you killed them, didn't care if they had owners? Sounds like you need to seek help for thinking you've been given an authority on animal euthanization. Sadly you probably didn't do it correctly, which is fully against the law in most places, on the verge of torture. Also, no cats are not "just like rats", nice ignorance.

Contact the city in these "I'm an animal control contributer" situations or you can be prosecuted, fined, jailed and/or sued.

reply to post by ollncasino


Not eradicated but required to be spayed or neutered. There should be a license for them so they care can be tracked. Our neighbor abandoned their kitty when they moved and we have a dozen strays wondering and having kittens on just this street alone.

Originally posted by gangdumstyle

Originally posted by caladonea

Originally posted by ForestForager

I've killed several cats in my time that I've found wandering around my old neighborhood that may have been someones pets, I didn't care... if it's not on a leash or in a house, I consider it a stray and a threat to local wildlife.

My cat Benjamin I adopted from a shelter. He was abandoned in the middle of winter in the snow; someone found him turned him into a shelter and 3 weeks later I adopted him. He is so loving, fun and just a joy to be around. He is one of the blessings in my life.

I am so glad you were not around when he was outside; in trauma and trying to find his way. The fact that you have killed several cats; to me is very disturbing.

No one cares about your cat and it's story please stay on topic...

Should they be eradicated is a big YES... end of story. keep your cat leashed, caged, or in the house..

She is very on topic. You can comment that cats are a nuisance, she can comment that they are a joy. What's your point?

Originally posted by caladonea

Originally posted by gangdumstyle


No one cares about your cat and it's story please stay on topic...

Should they be eradicated is a big YES... end of story. keep your cat leashed, caged, or in the house..

You are wrong...there are many who may care about my cat.

NO...I do not think eradicating cats will solve the problem.

Not in America no i agree, but where this story is originating in NZ it probably is the only solution...

reply to post by Merlin Lawndart

I like the shocked expression your avatar dog is wearing. It matches your post to Forest Forager very well.

Forest Forager you need to remember that cats OFTEN get out by mistake. It's not always a matter of idiot owners letting their fuzzy little marauders out to roam and destroy your mite infested poopy birds and squirrels (just messing with you, I feed birds and squirrels, too!). But keep in mind as much as you hate wandering cats, your neighbor may hate birds and squirrels more because they ARE messy, can be destructive to homes, and do have parasites and birds often poop out seeds to undesirable weeds and poison ivy. Some people may feel justified poisoning or shooting your bird and squirrel friends if you attract too many to the neighborhood. Then where do we degenerate from there? Humans battling humans over which point of view is superior...but the animals pay the price. And Mother Nature face palms over our collective inhumanity and vows to wipe us all out of her sight.

Getting back to what I started to say about mistakes, give the next cat the benefit of a doubt and chase him off with the garden hose or a pebble first. There are also some spray deterrents you can try. Or even trap and send the little bugger off to the shelter where it can have a chance at being reunited with its owner or adopted, and humanely put down if not. There are other alternatives than punitively judging and killing an animal that innocently got lost or abandoned.