Cats

[Popy Fresco]

Originally Posted by daveyrach

If you had cats that is easier said than done.

Yeh I understand that, but won't be easier than convince all the neighbours to:

Not leave food out, including cat or dog food
Not leave windows or doors open
use ONLY the water pistol provided as any chasing or mistreatment will be reported
Not stroke the cat
Not clear away any dead animals it leaves at doorways as this will just make it bring more
etc

[gruntygiggles]

There really aren't many animals I don't like, but no, you wouldn't call me a cat person. We are close to losing some bird and rodent species because of them which is just sad considering they don't often even eat what they kill.

But...I understand that cats are cats. They are different to dogs, I will never try to compare the two, but I will compare the responsibility of owners. Of course there are bad dog owners out there too, but as a general rule, the vast majority of dog owners do not allow their dogs to be out all day, getting up to all sorts on other peoples property.

There is another Bengal owner on the other forum who has herself said that she has erected a fence that keep the cats from getting out of her garden. She cannot trust them not to terrorise other peoples pets, so she had no choice and she thinks that this owner is being extremely selfish.

I would never want to see a cat destroyed...but I also don't think people should have to keep their food away, windows and doors shut etc just because cats are allowed to roam.

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by Purity14

Our neighbor once asked us to stop our cat eating his carp fish because they are very expensive.
Luckily the cat arrived home whilst the neighbor was stood at our door.

We explained to the cat, that his carp were expensive and that he is not to eat the fish and that he is not to go into his garden.

Neighbor began swearing.

Thus, Ungrateful neighbor.

Nice try

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

There really aren't many animals I don't like, but no, you wouldn't call me a cat person. We are close to losing some bird and rodent species because of them which is just sad considering they don't often even eat what they kill.

But...I understand that cats are cats. They are different to dogs, I will never try to compare the two, but I will compare the responsibility of owners. Of course there are bad dog owners out there too, but as a general rule, the vast majority of dog owners do not allow their dogs to be out all day, getting up to all sorts on other peoples property.

There is another Bengal owner on the other forum who has herself said that she has erected a fence that keep the cats from getting out of her garden. She cannot trust them not to terrorise other peoples pets, so she had no choice and she thinks that this owner is being extremely selfish.

I would never want to see a cat destroyed...but I also don't think people should have to keep their food away, windows and doors shut etc just because cats are allowed to roam.

According to research done on the amount of prey caught by how many cats were studied cats only catch and kill 0.3 animals per week each and that includes all animals be it rabbits, birds, moles etc.

Also cats are actually killing less and less as they do not need to due to humans feeding them and the astronomical amount of food which is thrown out in the UK, they do not have to hunt anymore.

Comes in:

First Time - Gets escorted out,
Second - Get kicked out,
Third - Gets kicked out & the owner gets told I'm not happy.
4 - Broom Cat Cricket
5 - Shut the door, make sure I smack it a few times then let it out.

You get the picture.
If she wasn't such a selfish idiot she'd do more to protect her cat.
Oh and don't get me wrong, the same would go for the neighbors Dog, Kids or whatever. If the owner has had fair warning then there is no excuse.

[L3nny]

Originally Posted by daveyrach

According to research done on the amount of prey caught by how many cats were studied cats only catch and kill 0.3 animals per week each and that includes all animals be it rabbits, birds, moles etc.

Also cats are actually killing less and less as they do not need to due to humans feeding them and the astronomical amount of food which is thrown out in the UK, they do not have to hunt anymore.

I saw that program too, wasn't the most scientific study as they just counted up what was brought into the house. However I do find it hard to believe that cats alone are responsible for species of birds dying out. I think destroying their habitat to build on is probably doing a bit more damage.

Don't know how anyone couldn't be a cat person, they are the most awesome things ever. Dogs are great too but require too much looking after, they are like having a baby. A cat is more like a good mate who comes round and keeps your legs warm

[Bibio]

cats are like their owners and i find it disturbing that a Bengal would do such things as they are very 'sociable' cats by nature.

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by daveyrach

According to research done on the amount of prey caught by how many cats were studied cats only catch and kill 0.3 animals per week each and that includes all animals be it rabbits, birds, moles etc.

Also cats are actually killing less and less as they do not need to due to humans feeding them and the astronomical amount of food which is thrown out in the UK, they do not have to hunt anymore.

So with 9 million pet cats as a conservative estimate in the uk...it doesn't take a genius to figure out that is an astounding number of kills per year.

It is a very real problem and your figures only serve to prove that. A five month study of 964 cats in 600 households actually showed that 14,000 animals were killed in that period. Less than 1000 cats killing a recorded over 14,000 creatures in 5 months is not funny!

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by Bibio

cats are like their owners and i find it disturbing that a Bengal would do such things as they are very 'sociable' cats by nature.

I think it probably is being sociable...but it's definition is just different to that of the dogs it is taunting. Cat wants to play is all...it's just not really funny when nobody else wants that but can't do anything to stop it.

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by L3nny

I saw that program too, wasn't the most scientific study as they just counted up what was brought into the house. However I do find it hard to believe that cats alone are responsible for species of birds dying out. I think destroying their habitat to build on is probably doing a bit more damage.

Don't know how anyone couldn't be a cat person, they are the most awesome things ever. Dogs are great too but require too much looking after, they are like having a baby. A cat is more like a good mate who comes round and keeps your legs warm

Didn't see that myself. The study I mentioned fitted cameras to the cats and most kills were not taken home, I think it was an average of 1 in three kills taken home so much worse than owners see on their doorsteps.

Forgot to add...only approx 30% of cats kill regularly, but they kill more than most people think.

I know cats can't all be kept inside, I wouldn't ask that, nor would I ask for dogs to be kept inside, but we can't just keep making excuses for them either.

Our Jack Russell has killed Blue Tits flying between bushes....I caught him at it and called him in...last time he did that!