Today I am writing about cats and our wildlife. I will get to the point in saying that I believe now is the time to change legislation in the UK which affects cat ownership, they have slipped under the radar for far too long at the detriment of their own lives and that of our wildlife. As the American Humane Society states: Take care of your cats and your neighbourhood wildlife by keeping your pet in his or her natural habitat--your house--and by leaving the wild animals to theirs.
What I hope to achieve with perhaps your support is to start a campaign to keep cats indoors. I will highlight points often made by cat owners with an explanation as to why I feel such reasoning does not work with society today. At the end of the blog if you agree with my points then I would very much appreciate you signing my petitions.pm.gov.uk/catlaws/" petition, which can be found at the 10 Downing Street government site.
Firstly, there are an estimated 10 million cats residing in the UK - which does not include feral and abandoned cats. They live in densely populated areas where cars drive too fast, garden territory is smaller with more cats wanting a piece of it - and them if they haven't been neutered! It is a harsh world in which we all live, and however a cat came about its inherent nature to kill, they do so to millions of wild animals every year. We cannot expect them to grow a conscience, so let us bypass the whys and go straight to the how. We start at the same spot as all other domesticated animals, with the owner. Now, before all you cat fanciers start getting defensive, this truly isn't about victimising the cat, they are beautiful, intelligent animals whom I have often enjoyed the company of. But they are a domesticated animal, to give them rights beyond this goes against the Animal Welfare Act to which they are protected by.
The American Bird Conservancy (which you can find at www.abcbirds.org) have undertaken a well thought out campaign called Keep Cats Indoors! They have brought about an awareness that this is not a one sided concern. In certain parts of America there are all ready such restrictions in place. The Cat Leash Law stipulates that a cat must remain on the owner's property, whether this be in the home or within an enclosure, and be under the supervision of the owner should it leave the premises. For example, with a leash or such like. This ensures that cats receive the best protection and care.
At first it may seem an impossible task, more so I feel for the owner than the cat. Humans aren't the most adaptable to change, we tend to have a fixed perspective on certain things which are rarely challenged unless pushed. But even if you dislike or have no respect for wildlife, a responsible owner will for their pet, and for them it is time to make some changes.
So what happens when you leave your cat to its own devices? Well, he/she will not have to travel far before territorial fighting occurs, with so many neighbouring cats it is inevitable that they will encounter war wounds. This can lead to diseases such as rabies, feline leukaemia and the feline AIDS virus, which are passed on from one cat to another and will result in their eventual death. They are often poisoned, intentionally or unintentionally, and chased by territorial dogs who don't appreciate them in their garden. Neighbours lose there temper when they catch them with a squealing bird or spraying in their garden. Is it really any wonder they live shorter lives compared to that of an indoor cat. It is an endless foray of danger that I can't imagine putting my own pets through.
But they aren't like other domestic pets! An owner will argue, It is their nature to be out on the hunt. In fact, cats were never meant for living in densely populated areas or in such immense numbers, yet like most domesticated animals they have had to adjust to life with humans. It is hypocritical to suggest that they should be allowed to display their "wild" nature when they are not capable of living like so - even feral cats stay close to humans! Some will say that cats keep the rodent population down, but they rarely attack rats over six ounces which kind of explains why there are so many populating our neighbourhoods! A cat will torture a wild animal for up to half an hour or more, this isn't nature, it is not survival, for them it is pleasurable activity that should not be considered acceptable. They simply cannot be allowed to act out "wild" tendencies while being regarded as a domestic pet. If it were not for humans who picked up the pieces of cat diseases caused by their actions, they would fail to live another day of the hunt.
Another remark often made by cat owners is that cats need to be outside because they are inquisitive and like to investigate. Well yes, most domesticated animals have these qualities too, but they are dependent on us to provide the best ways to express them. Kept indoors a cat isn't going to be too impressed with a couple of stuffed mice and a scratch pole, they will no doubt get bored with the same thing and express their displeasure on your furniture or through behavioural problems. By providing a rotational selection of toys and activities this would be more than enough to keep a cat entertained indoors, added to this some attention and love and they will think they have surpassed their nine lives and reached heaven!
Therefore, it is not acceptable that a cat is given the opportunity to hunt and slaughter wildlife because they are curious beings, when all it takes is a willing owner to take responsibility for their cats' needs and requirements.
I have often heard cats being considered as free spirits. Such a notion often comes at a heavy price, to both owner and cat. In November 2003 Dr Irene Rochlitz of the Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine conducted a study where she discovered that most accidents occur directly outside the family home and also at night. She states: "If a cat is hit by a car at night, the consequences for the animal are likely to be more serious. It is also more difficult to see where it has gone, and even if you are able to catch up with it, getting veterinary attention will be more difficult than during the day," Dr Rochlitz goes on to say. "It is often thought that you can do nothing to stop cats being killed or injured in car accidents - that it is just one of those things that happen. I think the study shows that there are things that can be done, like keeping them indoors at night." But owners rarely seem to do this, which questions whether they simply do not think about their cats safety, or are putting an ideal over responsible ownership. Cat Protection obviously do a tremendous amount of work for cats but I disagree with what they say, that cats are "low maintenance ... independent, and fit in well with urban, working lifestyles". The only reason a cat is low maintenance is because they amuse themselves by killing wildlife, mating and fighting! Brought indoors they are not any different from other domesticated pets in that they thrive on attention, love and fun time. I don't believe any pet should simply "fit in", they are not a playstation that you can get out when you are in the mood, they are a life that should have your time invested in or not at all.
Allow me to reiterate that a cat is not a wild animal, to give them human rights of freedom goes against the grain of what they actually are. We are all considered to be inherently wild yet for those such as humans and domesticated animals we live by rules that help us to live in harmony with each other, it is about time cats were encouraged to do the same. To expect non cat owners to be dealing with the aftermath of your cats actions, whether it be through coming in contact with its bodily actions or cleaning up its victim, is simply unfair. All though I understand that there may be no comparison to a dog being let loose, each cause their own type of destruction, so by giving only one strict guidelines to follow and not the other is hypocrisy.
So lets be realistic, positive steps need to be made to start changing the way cats are currently living. Here are my list of my suggestions to get this underway:
Given that the Animal Welfare Act 2006 states that "a need for a suitable environment" is required, I believe this should be expanded to state: All cats are required to remain within the owners property, which in effect is far more suitable than the dangers faced outside.
Thirdly, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 should include stray cats, with microchipping an owned cat that has got out will be returned quickly and easily. But if the cat is not micro chipped the owner will be charged for providing the service and proceeds going to animal shelters within the borough.
Hence, all cats should be neutered. As the Feline Advisory Bureau state: An unneutered tom will wander for miles, often crossing busy roads. The average lifespan of an unneutered male is probably only a couple of years. Neutered animals do not wander so far, do not fight so much (and therefore are not at such a great risk of being infected with various diseases), and do not cause the noise and smell nuisance to neighbours that an unneutered torn can inflict. The risks of pregnancy to the unneutered female are also obvious.
So to summarise yes I do believe the cat leash law will work in the UK. Done with care and consideration the transition over gradual steps will be worthwhile to all concerned.