The subject of cats is certainly divisive. Few people can say they are strictly neutral when it comes to cats. They either love them or hate them. Historically, cats have either been worshiped or reviled. The fact that they do not promote ambivalence is well established. The reason for this is not.
Perhaps it is because they tend to pick up on and reflect back to us, our own emotional states, which makes some people extremely uncomfortable. Domestic dogs are generally people pleasers, they tend to reflect back what they think we want to see. Cats are more like mirrors. Cat people, men and women, don’t seem to mind. They accept cats for what they are, harbor no expectations or demands. They just appreciate what cats do give.
Cats have followed humans along the evolutionary trail much like dogs, although with differing roles. Dogs became domesticated for what they could do for man, initially working as guardians, hunters, weapons, for sport or entertainment, and finally as companions. The role of cats was one less of domestication but more of opportunity and symbiosis. Cats became guardians of the grain stores due to natural hunting instincts and the ready source of prey. Humans benefitted by the reduction of rodents befouling their food stores, cats benefitted by the available food source. It was a mutually beneficial relationship, the very definition of symbiosis.
Although cats are generally considered companions today, many still perform this useful duty. Usually the mere presence of a cat, whether hunting or not, is enough to keep mice away.
While many people accuse cats of causing major decline in bird populations, there are so many more pervasive reasons for decreasing bird numbers. Other predators, such as raccoons, skunks, even other opportunistic birds, are known to raid nests and eat eggs. There are birds of prey which actively hunt other birds. But by far, the most lethal creature to birds on this planet is man, whether through the loss of green space, decline of farmlands, intentional poisoning of “non-native species” or those birds considered “pests”, automobiles, high rise buildings, reflective windows, pesticides, deforestation and elimination of habitats due to increased urbanization. These are by far greater contributors to bird deaths than cats.
It seems in general, that the cat accusers are less bird lovers and more cat haters.
Overall it cannot be denied that we humans have moved across the land like parasites, wiping out some species entirely, while creating massive natural imbalances in plant and animal populations. As a consequence of our insatiable appetite for consumption, the concepts of symbiosis and balance have long been discarded.
Unfortunately, one of the results of our disregard is what this blog is all about, the surplus of cats, as well as many other sadly considered “disposable” pets, leading to the point of mass killings occurring daily across this country merely because there is nowhere for them to go.
Many of these cats end up in shelters, brought in by animal control officers, people who trap them or are dropped off by owners who suddenly can’t or won’t keep them, can’t or won’t have them spayed or neutered, thereby preventing roaming, fighting, mating and having unwanted litters of more kittens.
Sadly, the life of a shelter cat is short and stressful. If they don’t die of disease, starvation or lack of proper handling, they will be killed when their time is up to make room for more. Many animal control staffers are not proficient in the handling of cats. Many just don’t like cats. Often these cats are labeled unadoptable, vicious or feral based on reactions that are totally normal for a stressed and frightened cat. They are not just like small dogs, they don’t act or react like dogs and unfortunately for them, they are considered disposable, euthanized all too easily when their time is up, no more room, or for convenience, (often just before a long holiday weekend).
The truth is, ALL CATS ARE ADOPTABLE. They may not all fit into the cozy niche of beloved house cat, (even though I wish they all could). But due to their remarkable adaptability and survival instincts, there are always options.
Perhaps it is because they tend to pick up on and reflect back to us, our own emotional states, which makes some people extremely uncomfortable. Domestic dogs are generally people pleasers, they tend to reflect back what they think we want to see. Cats are more like mirrors. Cat people, men and women, don’t seem to mind. They accept cats for what they are, harbor no expectations or demands. They just appreciate what cats do give.
Cats have followed humans along the evolutionary trail much like dogs, although with differing roles. Dogs became domesticated for what they could do for man, initially working as guardians, hunters, weapons, for sport or entertainment, and finally as companions. The role of cats was one less of domestication but more of opportunity and symbiosis. Cats became guardians of the grain stores due to natural hunting instincts and the ready source of prey. Humans benefitted by the reduction of rodents befouling their food stores, cats benefitted by the available food source. It was a mutually beneficial relationship, the very definition of symbiosis.
Although cats are generally considered companions today, many still perform this useful duty. Usually the mere presence of a cat, whether hunting or not, is enough to keep mice away.
While many people accuse cats of causing major decline in bird populations, there are so many more pervasive reasons for decreasing bird numbers. Other predators, such as raccoons, skunks, even other opportunistic birds, are known to raid nests and eat eggs. There are birds of prey which actively hunt other birds. But by far, the most lethal creature to birds on this planet is man, whether through the loss of green space, decline of farmlands, intentional poisoning of “non-native species” or those birds considered “pests”, automobiles, high rise buildings, reflective windows, pesticides, deforestation and elimination of habitats due to increased urbanization. These are by far greater contributors to bird deaths than cats.
It seems in general, that the cat accusers are less bird lovers and more cat haters.
Overall it cannot be denied that we humans have moved across the land like parasites, wiping out some species entirely, while creating massive natural imbalances in plant and animal populations. As a consequence of our insatiable appetite for consumption, the concepts of symbiosis and balance have long been discarded.
Unfortunately, one of the results of our disregard is what this blog is all about, the surplus of cats, as well as many other sadly considered “disposable” pets, leading to the point of mass killings occurring daily across this country merely because there is nowhere for them to go.
Many of these cats end up in shelters, brought in by animal control officers, people who trap them or are dropped off by owners who suddenly can’t or won’t keep them, can’t or won’t have them spayed or neutered, thereby preventing roaming, fighting, mating and having unwanted litters of more kittens.
Sadly, the life of a shelter cat is short and stressful. If they don’t die of disease, starvation or lack of proper handling, they will be killed when their time is up to make room for more. Many animal control staffers are not proficient in the handling of cats. Many just don’t like cats. Often these cats are labeled unadoptable, vicious or feral based on reactions that are totally normal for a stressed and frightened cat. They are not just like small dogs, they don’t act or react like dogs and unfortunately for them, they are considered disposable, euthanized all too easily when their time is up, no more room, or for convenience, (often just before a long holiday weekend).
The truth is, ALL CATS ARE ADOPTABLE. They may not all fit into the cozy niche of beloved house cat, (even though I wish they all could). But due to their remarkable adaptability and survival instincts, there are always options.
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