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From: dag@tellab2.UUCP (Donald Graft)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: RE: pets on the loose
Message-ID: <124@tellab2.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 22-May-84 13:08:22 EDT
Article-I.D.: tellab2.124
Posted: Tue May 22 13:08:22 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 23-May-84 09:23:11 EDT
Organization: Tellabs, Inc., Lisle, Ill.
Lines: 26

It is somewhat surprising to me that in all the discussion of "pets on
the loose" and "freedom" that nobody has raised the point that there are
several other ways that we circumscribe the freedom of our pets.  For
example, we often have them neutered and thereby deprive them of complete
and satisfying sex lives.  In the case of cats, we sometimes remove their
claws and thereby deprive them of normal use of their bodies.  I believe
each of these issues must be considered separately.

Let's consider the issue of whether cats should be let out.  First, an
analogy.  A mother does not let her one-year old go outside unsupervised.
The reason is simply that the child is not equipped for dealing with the
world.  Similarly, although cats may be admirably equipped for wild
environments, they are not so well equipped for our modern cement jungles.
Some may be able to survive in the modern world and others (perhaps
less alert or intelligent) may not.  Therefore, it becomes the cat
owner's responsibility to weigh all relevant factors and come to a decision
on behalf of the cat.  The owner acts "in loco parentis" as it were.
In my particular situation, the factors lead me to restrict my cats
to the house and to SUPERVISED outside access.  However, this doesn't
mean that in a different situation the decision couldn't be different.
In other words, I don't think it is always irresponsible to let cats out.
On the other hand, in many situations it is irresponsible.

As far as neutering and declawing are concerned, I haven't come to any
conclusions yet.  I'd welcome comments and will post my conclusions
when available.