The Public Opinion Soapbox

onewhoknows · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 62

I would like to open a discussion on what people think about all the feral cats that roam the county (and state). Any one out there have opinions?
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onewhoknows
Common sense is not so common

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Chambersburg

At the very least they need to be spayed and neutered. Time consuming, but cost effective in the grand scheme of things, some veternarians or cat groups will donate the procedure to prevent culling.
...There are...other options if the problem persists, but as an animal lover I'd prefer to explore all other plans first.

Many will suggest trapping and adopting out, but they are feral or close to it and many people don't hesitate to put their cats outside, which is the primary reason we have the problem in the first place!
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I demand euphoria!

hanginout · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 77

Question:
Why are we required to license our dogs, but not our cats?

Our cat is a house cat and would not survive if left out. Unfortunately, too many cat owner let their cats out to roam. They must feel it's ok for their cats to use the neighborhood as their litter box.

onewhoknows · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 62

Answer: Because our local and state government will not address the ever growing, out of control problem. Stray cats are a danger to our society and themselves. They can carry diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans. They are number 3 carrier of rabies in this area. They destroy property. In defense of the cats: They are out there because of neglectful owners, past and present, who do not care and just let the cats run to fend for themselves. Even if well meaning people and organizations have them spayed and neutered and return them to the wild with rabies vaccinations, the cats still have to fend for themselves, destroy property, and can still contract diseases (including rabies – no vaccination is 100% effective). They are subject to hit by car, bullet, poison, on and on and on……..
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onewhoknows
Common sense is not so common

Mavis · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 73

I realize the topic is cats, but a lot of "country" people have the same attitude about dogs. When their dog needs to go out, they just open the door and out he goes. They THINK the dog is staying in their yard (or they don't care), but they don't bother to watch. Too often the dog is down the street tearing up trash bags on garbage collection day, or it is doing its business in someone else's yard.

It's difficult to walk your dog in some smaller towns, because so many people leave their dogs loose and unwatched outside their homes, and the dogs rush out and threaten other dogs walking by on a leash.

That's my "pet" peeve.

(I agree that cats should not be allowed to roam)

Mavis · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 73

If there are emaciated starving cats in your neighborhood, what should you do? Ignore them? Feed them?

onewhoknows · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 62

3 P.S. § 459-305 (2001)
§ 459-305. Confinement of dogs
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to fail to keep at all times such dog either:
(1) confined within the premises of the owner;
(2) firmly secured by means of a collar and chain or other device so
that it cannot stray beyond the premises on which it is secured; or
(3) under the reasonable control of some person, or when engaged in
lawful hunting, exhibition or field training.

Dog Warden's phone number is 762-9794

..............................

As for the cats that need fed: Trap them without being bitten or scratched and take them into your local humane society.
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onewhoknows
Common sense is not so common

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Chambersburg

It's a shame you can't trap the absentee owner and leave them out to starve over the winter. We could have a little population control. Twisted Evil

Sometimes owners are present and still irresponsible. This morning I watched a woman allow her dog to defecate in my yard and walk off. I was waiting for her to pick it up, how hard is it to carry around a few grocery bags?!
What I should've done was run out there and say "Excuse me, I believe you dropped something!"

Maltreatment of pets really gets to me. Sometimes it is due to ignorance, "oh, I didn't know this cute little lizard I bought 6 months ago was going to need at least two types of lighting, vitamin supplements and a custom cage and grow up to six feet!" Sometimes it is a lack of concern, "the dog keeps peeing on the carpet 'cause I never feel like walking it so I'm just gonna chain it up." And then there's the ones who are just rotten on the inside like the two young 'men' I saw with pit puppies on Broad Street tonight. The dogs, both around six months, at most, were lunging at each other and one of the guys said "Not out here, man, people are goin' ta call the cops." I'll be double checking that address tomorrow and fufilling that a**es prophesy!

I'm not even sure which one of the above makes me angrier. At least when you're a bad parent, your kid eventually grows up and can leave...or pay you back.

>sigh< I dunno
Ya'll have a good night. It's my favorite day of the year!
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I demand euphoria!

Me!!!!!!!! · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 295

Where my mother lives a rental moved out and left behind her two pregnant cats and guess who is now taking the time and cost to sit out food for all of the homeless cats. My mother has one cat nad is now feeding almost 20 cats. This is crazy but the shelter told her taht she could catch them and bring them in. Do you have any idea how hard it is to catch a stray let alone all of them. I know by next summer it will be a"cat house" since they are not fixed. My mother doesn't have the heart to not feed them. That is what I'd do but I a not a cat lover.

onewhoknows · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 62

And this adds to the enormous problem with the cat population. The more you feed, the more they come and gather and multiply and multiply and multiply and multiply…………
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onewhoknows
Common sense is not so common

catwoman · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Fayetteville,PA

i'm a animal lover also but i have a neighbor who let's her cats roam all the time. i have 2 cats and a dog,my cats don't know what it's like to be out of the doors to my house and the dog is only outside when we have control over her...i really don't appreciate my neighbors cats roaming all over my property and thinking that it is their own personal litterbox,if i had to get tags for my cats i would gladly do so and yes ALL my animals are spayed. Rolling Eyes

onewhoknows · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 62

Good for you!
If everyone, and I mean everyone, that has a gripe/concern about cats would call and write their legislators and complain and demand something be done, it would be.
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onewhoknows
Common sense is not so common

Bobo · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Chambersburg

Sorry, you all. I can't agree. Cats are God's creatures and they were meant - just as we are - to breathe the fresh air, feel the sun on their bodies, smell and touch the soft grass. I just feel it's cruel to make them live an unnatural life indoors every day of the year. As long as cats are neutered, I believe we should let them walk the earth and do what they were born to do. I don't mind if a cat craps in my yard - it's no big deal. Cats that are no neutered and roaming in large numbers are a different matter.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2251 Location: Chambersburg

anonymous_coward · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 486