General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCats Are Evil
You know what animal makes a good pet? No animal.
Dogs will bite you to death and then eat your corpse. Snakes will asphyxiate you, escape, infest the Everglades, and eat all its mammals. Pet parrots perpetuate a trade that upends ecosystems, and hamsters pass you dangerous zoonotic diseases. But perhaps the worst pet of all, environmentally speaking, is a cat.
Domesticated cats started out as parasites on human civilization. Unlike other species, and admittedly to their credit, they domesticated themselves. When humans started growing grain, the crops attracted rodents that attracted cats. Wild cats evolved into housecats, and they were quite useful for thousands of years, killing disease-ridden rats and mice and protecting our food stockpiles. But now that we have industrial farming, reliable food storage, and mostly mouse-proof houses, cats are mere parasites again. Playful and often affectionate parasites, sure, and adorable when young, but a scourge on the landscape.
snip
Morgan points out that your cat is actually a friendly neighborhood serial killer. He may sound like some wretched, obsessed Jonathan Franzen character, but his Cats To Go project isnt meant as a caricature of environmentalism. Hes asking people to pledge to neuter their cats, keep them indoors, and not get any new ones.
Cats are a globally invasive species. They kill millions of birds each year in Wisconsin alone. Cats feast on endangered North American ground-nesting birds such as the California clapper rail, least tern, and piping plover, any one of which is cuter than a laundry basket full of kittens. A study in the D.C. area a few years ago showed that in some neighborhoods (neighborhoods in which a lot of people who really ought to know better let their beasts roam free), outdoor cats eat basically all juvenile birds as soon as they fledge.
<snip>
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/01/new_zealand_eliminate_cats_they_kill_endangered_bird_species_and_shouldn.html
mike_c
(36,281 posts)...and while I agree with all of that as basically true, I also won't give up my kitties until they are pried off my cold, dead corpse. After they've eaten the choice bits.
I get into this argument on a fairly regular basis with a former student of mine who is a DU regular and avid birder. Avian diversity exists solely to keep cats amused and well fed. "Nasty little feathered lizards, precious. We bites they little feet. We sucks they little bones."
The Philosopher
(895 posts)the dinosaurs will return.
mike_c
(36,281 posts)...an asteroid failed to complete!
procon
(15,805 posts)Thanks... That made me laugh!
I can just imagine my indoor kitties chanting as they play with feathery toys or watch the birds flitting in the trees outside the window. As pampered and well-fed gourmands, they are far too persnickety -- and lazy... shhh! -- to actually stalk anything more challenging than a bowl of Fancy Feast, so it's a win-win for all.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)Also look at all the Predators of birds that no longer exist because of either urbanization or environmental displacement.
Don't tell me that our cats are responsible for bird destruction. Our Bird Feeders are active in our yard and our cat is an indoors as all ours have been...but, neighborhood cats roam and the birds seem to be pretty successful in dodging them. Sure...a few probably got caught but it's not like we live in New Zealand with armies of Feral Cats here in US.
It's disgusting going after our House Cats and even Barnyard/Feral who also take care of vermin and keep population under control. Trying to shove off Enviromental Distruction of bird sites and blame it on our CAT Population sounds like another Hatched up RW Hate Meme to me. I see it erupt here and there on the Net the last couple of years. And, it's sad to see it, everytime. It needs to be pushed back on.
cthulu2016
(10,960 posts)...and they lick it right up!
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)Brigid
(17,621 posts)Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)So there's that.
Kitties ...
LiberalLoner
(9,762 posts)KoKo
(84,711 posts)And, I believe this is true for all pet owners... Sadly their more vicious, preditor instincts are tamped down on with the good food, treats, toys and entertainment we provide them so we don't see their "REAL LIVES" if they weren't with us.
but, then again...what would we Humans be if we were back to "Hunter/Gatherers?"
We'd look pretty bizarre to humans today.
pink-o
(4,056 posts)The whole Interwebs would fall apart without them!
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Brigid
(17,621 posts)You gotta send this to SCE for the Sunday Lolcats!
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)nessa
(317 posts).
behindthe8ballnchain
(14 posts)
Domesticated cats started out as parasites on human civilization
...cats are mere parasites again
... often affectionate parasites...scourge on the landscape.
We get it. YOU don't like cats.
I've seen this piece and this Kiwi jerk takes some very solid and real issues and turns them into cat hate. As a cat lover, currently with two from the shelter that I spent thousands on due to medical issues, screw you Mr. "we're not good enough to be Australia."
But if one doesn't keep their cats indoors in this day and age, and especially in a place such as NZ where endangered wildlife is at risk...We'll then screw you too. Cats aren't evil. Irresponsible cat owners on the other hand.
cali
(114,904 posts)qazplm
(3,626 posts)so no ecological damage from my kitty...other than litter I suppose.
Lady Freedom Returns
(14,120 posts)If posted in the Lounge, it would look like a well used scratching post.
Raine
(30,540 posts)MrSlayer
(22,143 posts)I have five of them and together we plot to take over the world. Or at least to get the fish.
Jazzgirl
(3,744 posts)Damn cat heifer! If I do anything wrong she pee's on my pillow! I have figured everything out that she doesn't like though. When she's not peeing on my pillow she is a sweetie. Good thing she bought me a washier and dryer!
obamanut2012
(26,137 posts)What a geek.
OldDem2012
(3,526 posts)RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)I have. First the brains. The bunny blood on the cats face is quite disgusting.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)Bunny Rabbits get torn up worse by other predators. Don't blame this on Kittehs.
It ain't their fault when they have so much help.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)I admit to being stupid and letting cats roam. How about you? Anyone else?
Is this mic on?
KoKo
(84,711 posts)the rest of us have them as loved pets we give affection many treats and pampering to.
But, cats are programmed to be who they are and to HUNT.
You let yours roam...they are going to do what they do. I don't want mine doing that...so they are pretty much imprisoned in the treats and environment they depend on from me. I don't have a problem with your choice and many feral cat lovers and feeders know that they can't be domesticated but still love them...and those of us with domesticated do what we do..because it pleases us.
Different strokes for different folks who love cats and figure out ways they want to live with them. Whatever works.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)He wants to come in, but he can't.
And when he first wandered up and I had no food, that bloody little wabbit and the bloody face from the cat eating the brains, made me go get some food. Save the Wabbits!!
KoKo
(84,711 posts)Ugh...
Do you think it's a feral cat or one that was abandoned. Since you said it wanted to come in ..would make me think it was abandoned.
ErikJ
(6,335 posts)It was one of the saddest things I've seen. The parents flew out of the way during the attack. I severely scolded my cat. I then watched the parents flitting about the yard chirping madly while desperately looking for their beloved baby for the next hour at least. Sad, very sad.
a la izquierda
(11,797 posts)I felt awful, but he was just doing his thing. He's a hunting dog.
bluestater1966fgs
(21 posts)But come on, cats are awesome. They're so cute and friendly. Well, except when they scratch.
MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)I never wanted to come across any of their mangled corpses lying by the side of the road.
Nor did I want them hunting wildlife, getting into fights with other cats, or being prey for larger animals.
DesertFlower
(11,649 posts)cat might kill you and eat your dead body.
sakabatou
(42,174 posts)AnnieBW
(10,458 posts)With all of those captioned pictures.
1620rock
(2,218 posts)dionysus
(26,467 posts)pansypoo53219
(20,996 posts)my current 2 would have been birders. so far just 2 dead mice. YAY!
DirkGently
(12,151 posts)We have small dogs that are actually pretty good mousers. Regardless, the only problem I see with cats is when they're fed without being spayed / neutered and you get a big feral population.
We have tons of feral cats in the neighborhood. And tons of birds of all types.
I can see where it could be a real issue in an isolated ecosystem like parts of New Zealand, but by and large, cats are cool.
Evil, sure. Everyone knows that. But cool.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Flies are doomed as soon as they come into our house. They will be caught, sometimes in mid air as King Tut, my cat, dashes like a flash of lighting over the furniture to cat-a-pult headlong straight up in the air to catch them. They don't have a chance.