Cats: The Indoor/Outdoor debate.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

The Vegetarian view?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=2500850&mesg_id=2500850&page=

[livinginphotographs]

1. I'm 100% indoors.

Personally, I think this guy was just trying to get his post count up.

He asks a seemingly innocent question, then goes on to berate those who don't agree with the opinion he never presented in the first place.

Then he just tiptoes around the issue about what he thinks should be done - turns out he wants mass euthanization of feral cats.

Just another meat-eater concerned about the safety of some animals, and probably had a steak for dinner.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

2. Yeah, I am suspicious of this poster...

As you say, he outright attacks people. That's never good. I don't believe that most people let their cats out because they are neglectful. I think though, that many people need to have it brought to their attention that cats are not prepared to deal with modern life. They have natural instincts, to kill small animals and live. But they don't understand that they can't cross streets or drink the things they see or eat whatever they come across. They don't understand that just because they can get into a yard that person might just be a bastard who will blow a hold in their head for kicks.

[smbolisnch]

4. Exactly. Most people don't realize how dangerous it is.

Occasionally, we let our cat come on our deck with us in the summer, on a leash. He isn't allowed out alone, ever. He would never be prepared to fight, defend himself etc. :(

[flvegan]

5. No, he just has an agenda

He values songbirds. It's true that feral cats are a threat. The problem is that he's attacking the wrong folks. He should be thanking caretakers that spay/neuter and feed these cats. The colonies will die off, sooner or later. They'd otherwise feed on his birds much more than they do now. If he really wanted change, he'd focus on mandatory spay/neuter and containment legislation, as well as going after human development and habitat impact rather than attacking innocents.

A better post, IMO, would've been, "You know, if you have a pet cat, and you let him/her outside, he/she may kill endangered species." Educate, don't berate.

[Maru Kitteh]

3. my kitties live indoors

the world is a sick place and not very kind to cats. I would be absolutely inconsolable if something happened to them.

[AlienGirl]

6. IMO, cats should stay indoors

When I was a kid, our cats went outdoors regularly and often came home with injuries from fighting or from catching larger prey like weasels, and my favorite cat ever (the first cat we had) was shot by an asshole neighbor. :-(

The cats at my mom's house now live indoors and are healthier for it--and live much longer. They get into enough trouble inside the house without needing to go outside, too!

Tucker

[Lorien]

7. I walk one of mine on a leash

Puck, the "feline border collie" needs a lot of mental stimulation, so we go for a walk around the block every day. Otherwise, all three stay indoors. FIV is an epidemic down here, so allowing them unsupervised adventures outdoors isn't worth the risk.

[Stuckinthebush]

8. Mine are indoor/outdoor

All of my cats have been I/O. One just died last year at the ripe old age of 17. I was amazed because he had gone through a few lives. He loved every minute of his time outdoors, however.