Questions for RESPONSIBLE cat lovers?

Question

Why do irresponsible cat lovers seem to think that people have a right to let their cats roam free?

I live near a preserve filled with rare, endangered, and protected species of ground dwelling birds (even a bell collared cat would easily be able to kill them).

For some reason when I post a question about getting a neighbor to keep the cat indoors (as is required by law here), some people think that I'm the bad guy for picking on the poor cat!?!

Cats can be destructive. Do animal lovers have a right to let their dogs roam free also? I don't understand the difference.

If humans bring cats into an environment, we have a responsibility to keep them from damaging the natural ecosystem.

How can you convince a cat owner to follow the law and keep the cat indoors without having to report them to the authorities to face fines for allowing the cat to roam?

Actually we trapped the cat once and turned it over to the shelter because it didn't have tags.

The neighbor was FURIOUS when we told him about it after seeing the lost cat signs.

I actually have since spoken to the ranger. He said if he found a cat he would trap it as well. The owner would face a $250 fine the first time the cat was found roaming off of their property and the fines could increase with successive violations.

I hated to go that route with it, but this is not a place for a cat to be loose.

Answer 1

I agree with you 100%. Cats take a GREAT toll on the lives of migratory songbirds...to the point where they are now causing the decline and endangerment of many species. As you can see some other answerers are completely naive and still believe cats cause no harm to the ecosystem. Just a bunch of uneducated people out there that forget domesticated cats are NOT a part of the natural ecosystem, and have no business in it. If we are talking wild cats such as bobcats, etc. taking birds..that is normal..they are a wild predator in the wild where they belong. But domesticated cats hunting in nature is NOT normal. I am a cat lover and have owned cats my whole life..but I keep them indoors where they are safe from many outside dangers AND where the wildlife is safe from them! Keep up the good work..you are one of the few sane, educated pet owners on this site.
http://www.abcbirds.org/cats/

Answer 2

Hi Jill,
Some folks have valid points. Some law makers make laws none of us can make sense of. HOWEVER in the case of endangered species, they must by law protect them. Take for example our Bald Eagle. We all must protect them. The same is true for your area. So I agree with you.

They should be responsible. You could try petitions, law enforcement, and humane trapping. But the flip side is true too. There are in fact stray cats around everywhere. Unless you have more support, you are flying solo friend. Not sure what to tell you. Perhaps you could get the local preserve officials to provide some education on the endangered species of birds. Then you could contact environmentalists.

HOWEVER... You would have to target all animals which are attacking the birds. SO... what happens then? Because you can't interfere with the natural wild life out there. So it would seem you are at a road block. The best you can do is reduce the attacks on them by cats. But how are you going to accomplish the safety of the birds when other animals eat them too?

Hate to say it but the help you can give them is limited. At least it is some though. Tough spot to be in. Just follow your heart and pray about it.

Best wishes.

Answer 3

I am a cat lover and owner and I agree with you about not allowing your cats to roam and destroy other animals. Most people think that it is natural for a cat to hunt but cats are not native to the areas in which they are being introduced and the native animals just don't have a chance. My indoor cats are perfectly happy the way they are. I play with them on a very regular basis and I have plenty of things inside to keep their hunting instincts satisfied.

The best thing to say to a person who is allowing their cat to roam in a pretected area is that they are putting their cat in great danger. You never know what your cat can get into in places like this. Some animals are extremely poisonous and you never know who could be putting out rat poison, ect. for other animals. Cats don't know any better and if they are true animal lovers they will understand that some animals just can't protect themselves for frisky hunting cats.

Answer 4

It's funny
My first thought was to read yourq and a's to see what kind of a person you are. Now I am not religious at all but came upon this gem of yours, a hobby you say you enjoy
'Talking elderly people out of believing in God?'

So I have to wonder if this question is for humane reasons (I doubt it) or just stirring the pot. I belive it's the ladder but I will play anyway
I don't know of any place that has a lwa that cats cannot go outside
Cats are different them dogs.That;s obvious to most people.
I wish it wasn't in their instinct to hunt and kill but they deserve to smell flowers and feel grass under their feet. Maybe i am lucky but after time and with some work, my cats do not kill anymore. They still bring me stuff back alive and I am still woeking to discourage even that
Have fun

Answer 5

I agree with you 100%. In normal situations (like most neighborhoods) I would think you are out of line for reporting the cat. But, since in your neighborhood there is a law

Your neighbor knew when they moved in the laws pertaining to that neighborhood. (and if they didn't, thats their fault for not reading the guidlines) and they are choosing to break the law.

Since you have tried talking with the owner and its not working, then inform the owner that you spoke with the ranger and will be following the appropriate steps for dealing with it. And let her know that if the cat is outside and you see it, you will be calling authorities and they will be paying the fine. Maybe that will change it.

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Answer 6

Cats can roam free where I live!!!! Cats should be able to roam free!!

All you can do is keep a bell on there collar...thats nature!

Cats are not allowed outside....where do you live?

There is no difference dogs are just as destructive as cats

What are cats damaging in the ecosystem?

If there is a such a stupid law to keep your cat indoors then they should follow the law, but I find that is very sick and cats need there space and fresh air once in a while, I can't believe that wherever you live does not allow a cat to roam free... Unbelievable!!!!

Answer 7

i understand how u feel. There were some people in my area trying to have a by law passed that would have cat owners tie up their cats when they are outside like they should dogs (mostly for subdivisions in my case because the cats get into other peoples yards and such stuff)

Sadly this law was disputed and was not put into place. But there really is nothing that can be done other then telling the cat owners to follow the law.

I love my cat to death and personally id reather tie up my cat outside then have the slight chance that she would get hit by a car or worse get lost outside at night and get eatten by the wild animals that live in the area.

Resposibilites kind of get pushed out of the way with some people. Im not saying all people do but some do. They buy the cat for their kids and they expect the kids to take care of it and dont watch it as often because its not suppose to be thier responsibility. or they might think that cats are so self sufficient that they can take care of themselves outside so they dont have to worry.

If u want to try to make ur point try and get people in ur area to see the light. there are going to be other people that agree with u. go door to door with a questionair. try to inform the community about the laws and then if u find people interested try and see if they can help u out.

Answer 8

Honestly, there's no convincing of people who let their cats out. I have a friend who does all of the time. I've told her many things (including the fact that indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats.) She doesn't listen. One of her neighbors took the cat to an animal shelter; she paid $75.00 to get him out and she still lets him go outside!

Truth is that it's less mean to let a cat go outside. Most cat owners just don't like to hear their cat crying.

Sorry I couldn't help more.

Answer 9

I don't see how letting cats outside damages the natural ecosystem. They kill mice and birds just like many other animals.
I can see why you are worried b/c you live next to somewhere that has rare birds, but I live on 40 acres and I let my cats outside. there is a cat door and they go in and out as they please.
I consider myself a resposible cat owner even if they are outside. I still feed them, they get shots and are taken care of. So don't get on here and preach to people about letting their cats out and being irresponsible just because you live in an area where you can't.
Besides, it's not against the law for cats to roam.
Oh yeah, my dogs roam free on the property too. And so do all my neighbor's dogs and cats

Answer 10

A Iot depends upon the location of the person answering, as to whether they agree with you or not. UK legislation acknowledges that cats are free roaming creatures and therefore, they (or their owners) cannot be prosecuted for trespass.

We humans have ripped up, or built over natural habitats, we have filled in ponds, dammed rivers, caused pollution of land, water and air; our livestock farming and arable farming methods have become more intensive and changed the landscape; even our gardening methods have changed. Rather than modify our own activities, we find it easier to select a scapegoat so that we can continue to destroy natural habitats unabated. Remember too, that not all cats are interested in hunting, and compared to human activities, the numbers pale into insignificance and the cat is serving primarily as a scapegoat. The prime causes of mammal and bird decline are habitat loss (building, farming methods), pollution (including pollution of rivers by slurry from farms), pesticide/chemical use and various other human activities including individuals who shoot wildlife. The car is also responsible for the deaths of many animals too, but I've yet to see a law passed against killing wildlife whilst driving.

Cats as predators are doing what comes naturally to them. Humans are doing what we want to satisfy our own needs, so we must accept our share of any blame.