04-12-2009, 12:31 PM
"Some people have a stupid fantasy that domesticated cats are actually better off living outdoors, even when they know that the cats will suffer from mites, fleas, ticks, fights with other cats, neighbors bent on trapping and poisoning them, cars, predators and other threats and will -- of course -- die an early death."
That is a ridiculous statement. A cat that is well cared-for by a vet will not suffer from fleas, ticks, etc., and in a quiet neighbourhood will not have a great chance of running into a speeding car. Its life will not be painful and brief, but interesting, happy, and probably longer than that of overfed diabetic mosntrosities that Americans like to keep in their houses. The latter have turned from animals into unnatural toys for their owners, who are at the same time full of pious feelings of great care for their pets. I am sure both me and my kids would also be safer spending the whole life indoors being fed by benevolent beings, but I do not think we would have much fun, unless we did not know any better.
On the other hand, outdoor cats can be a menace to the wildlife, particularly birds. From that standpoint, I would rather see them being kept indoors.
But I am not much of a cat person, anyway.
That is a ridiculous statement. A cat that is well cared-for by a vet will not suffer from fleas, ticks, etc., and in a quiet neighbourhood will not have a great chance of running into a speeding car. Its life will not be painful and brief, but interesting, happy, and probably longer than that of overfed diabetic mosntrosities that Americans like to keep in their houses. The latter have turned from animals into unnatural toys for their owners, who are at the same time full of pious feelings of great care for their pets. I am sure both me and my kids would also be safer spending the whole life indoors being fed by benevolent beings, but I do not think we would have much fun, unless we did not know any better.
On the other hand, outdoor cats can be a menace to the wildlife, particularly birds. From that standpoint, I would rather see them being kept indoors.
But I am not much of a cat person, anyway.