Your point is well taken and I thank you for responding. With all due respect, even vaccinated, well fed, fixed cats roaming all over town get hit by cars, get into cat fights, or take a pellet in the butt from annoyed homeowners. I don't understand why, when it's cat owner vs non-cat owner, only the non-cat owner has to be a good neighbor. Only the non-cat owner has to tolerate someone else's cat using his/her garden as a cat litter box. I guess we're just supposed to sit back and watch the kitty cat with a smile on our faces. "Oh, see the pretty kitty? See him stalking all the birds I work so hard to feed all winter. Isn't he cute?" And ah, the sweet music of new little kitties being created under my window at 3 am. The non-cat owner should have the right to enjoy every square inch of his property without someone else's happy, well fed cat encroaching. The same people who see nothing wrong with letting their cats out to roam wherever and do whatever they want would have a hissy if dog owners did the same thing. Imagine if I let my playful, energetic English Setter out of the door at night to "run and be free." I'd be fined so fast my head would spin, my dog would be impounded and possibly put down. Why is that? After all, my dog roaming around all night would be keeping my neighbors safe from wild animals and burglars, right? I'd be doing them a favor, right? A domestic pet is a domestic pet, period. I have a t-shirt which says, "My rights end where your toes begin." That's also true in this situation. I have a right to own a dog, and you have the right not to have to put up with him tearing up your property and possessions. It might come as a big surprise to some, but not everyone loves Fluffy as much as Fluffy's owners do. I don't want Fluffy on my property. There's an old saying: "The only person who doesn't hear a barking dog at 2 in the morning is the dog's owner."
Truth be told I love cats. Always have, and have usually had a cat or two most of my life up until about 5 years ago. I'm glad that your cat did so well. I saw the ones who didn't. I used to let my cats out too, until I started working at the clinic. And you know, after that the cats I had were quite content to stay inside. They had places in the window where they watched the goings-on outside, and loved to soak up the sun there. Contrary to what folks think, they didn't just curl up and die because they were kept indoors. Dogs, given a choice, would love to roam all over the place too.Cats that roam all over the place because they like it. If they die at least they had a good life. This cat right here avoided cars for about 14 years. Most dog people don't like cats. They usaly try to hit our cats. That's the way it is around here at least.
My cat is both an indoor and an outdoor cat. He is neutered, licensed and has all required vaccinations as well as collars. He still has all of his claws and he is very good about keeping the mice at bay. He only gets fed indoors and we do not leave food outside. Do I think all cats are bad, no. Feral cats are a problem, but I seriously feel that shooting it with a bb gun is a little in-humane. I'm not saying that because I own a cat, it's more of a respect for the animal, no matter what it is. I'm a predator hunter, and even though I kill coyotes and the like, I don't ever shoot to hurt, I shoot to kill. There's no reason to put any animal in pain, no matter what kind it is. That cat is just doing what it is programmed to do...hunt. Please don't take this a personal attack on your choices, I am only sharing my opinion on the subject. When it comes down to it, it's your choice and you have to do what you feel is best.
It has nothing to do with being a dog person it has to do with having common decency and respect for others and their property. When you start paying my property taxes then you can start letting your cat run all over my place until then I will shoot every cat that steps foot on my land. Your cats ability to live a "good life" doesn't trump a wild animals right to live or my right as a property owner to raise livestock or just simply enjoy watching and hearing songbirds. I agree 100% with blooies post.Cats that roam all over the place because they like it. If they die at least they had a good life. This cat right here avoided cars for about 14 years. Most dog people don't like cats. They usaly try to hit our cats. That's the way it is around here at least.
I didn't say all dog people don't like cats. I also said that it is like that where I live not where you do. Okay if it's on your land then you have the right to shoot it.
Yes and I love dogs. Yes not all of mine have too. I have always wanted a house cat but I never have got one. But I just don't think that all cats should be house cats.
