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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!mcnc!bch
From: bch@mcnc.UUCP (Byron Howes)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: weird cat behavior
Message-ID: <445@mcnc.mcnc.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 3-Apr-85 13:50:04 EST
Article-I.D.: mcnc.445
Posted: Wed Apr  3 13:50:04 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 7-Apr-85 03:47:56 EST
References: <1268@decwrl.UUCP> <1163@pyuxa.UUCP>
Reply-To: bch@mcnc.UUCP (Byron Howes)
Organization: North Carolina Educational Computing Service
Lines: 72
Summary: 

In article <1163@pyuxa.UUCP> wetcw@pyuxa.UUCP writes:
 
> I wish folks wouldn't assume that every cat or dog HAS to be spayed
> or neutered.  There are some folks who WANT kittens or pups.  We are
> not all running kennels.  And, we know where the little ones will be
> going when they are weaned.  I agree that if the pet is free to roam,
> it should probably be neutered, but some folks DO have plans to have
> at least one litter. 

If you want kittens or puppies, there are plenty to be adopted at your
local Humane Society or Animal Protection Society.  Unless you are
actively breeding animals, there is no reason to increase the population
and good reason to take in some of the many that are homeless.  You
don't really know where the offspring of your animal will be going.  If
you're like most, you advertise in the paper or give them away.   All
you really know is that you won't have to take care of them.  If the
ultimate owners let them go or don't take care of them that isn't
your responsibility, is it (a very sardonic :-).)
  
> I don't know if this is getting across, I just get tired of seeing
> the "get it spayed no matter what" line.  There are plenty of
> circumstances for which someone may not wish to do this.

Please name some, other than pedigreed breeding.

> I am talking about responsible pet owners, not those who just don't give a
> hoot.  You can't reach them anyway.  I often find it hard to
> understand the reasoning behind some of the pronouncements of the
> rabid animal groups.

Who is rabid?  I'm not even an anti-vivisectionist.  I just don't think
anyone is served by the current overpopulation of cats and dogs.  We
have plenty already that need homes and care.

> Alice Harrington, leader of the Friends for Animals (or some such
> name) lives in my town.  Her house has become a haven for rats and
> mice to the point that it has become a health hazard to the
> neighbors.  It has taken court orders and health dept baiting to try
> and keep the population down.  She says she is afraid other animals
> might be poisoned by the bait.  Well, that would not be a hazard if
> the rats and mice had not gathered under her protection in the first
> place. 

What does this have to do with neutering cats and dogs?  Are you suggesting
that having her animals neutered caused the rats and mice to flock to her
protection?  It is precisely because I, like you, do not want to see
animals die of poisoning, starvation or the other attendant mishaps of
homelessness and neglect that I urge (if not insist on) neutering.  It
sounds to me as if Ms. Harrington is closer to your point of view than
mine. ("Let's not interfere with the creatures, they need to be happy too.")

> I have wandered afield here, but I would just like to say
> that I love animals of all kinds too.  I refuse to get all glassy
> eyed, however, and try to see both sides of the problem.  I have
> helped raise several litters of kittens (had a lot of help from their
> mother) and enjoyed the experience very much.  Also, I never had
> trouble finding good homes for them when the time came.  Besides, as I
> do not at this time have a cat, I want to be sure there will be one
> available when I am ready to get one.

Do you know where those kittens (now cats) are today?  Have they had
litters as well.  Could some of them be in the pound, or dead?  I don't
believe you do.  You're just dismissing the responsibility because you
were able to shift them off to others.  I repeat.  If you love animals
there are many that need adopting.  If this area is typical, the
Humane Society kennels are full to overflowing with many animals being
put to death each day.  If you can't adopt an animal, then make a
donation to your local HS or APS.  They need the money desperately.
-- 

						Byron C. Howes
				      ...!{decvax,akgua}!mcnc!ecsvax!bch