Animal Soulstice

Liberator Cat Collar

Rozzalin — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:18:51 GMT

The other day while in the pet shop I came across the “Liberator” cat collar, I had previously mentioned CatAlert, but I found this one which seems less bulky to me, and works on a leap activated basis. At around £10 I thought this was pretty reasonable in price. Rolf Harris has apparently endorsed it - not that this should be the thing to sway you, more the fact that over 70 million birds are killed in the UK every year by cats alone.

As I have previously stated, owners need to become proactive and do something positive, how many times do we have to get to the point where fines need to be enforced and new legislation brought in before people decide to lose their apathetic attitudes … It will get to the point where cat owners will be up in arms because all cats will be required to be confined indoors, which as you know is what I think should be the case anyway.

What a lot of cat owners say is that their cat cannot stand wearing a bell and will go manic if made to wear one, so this could be a good alternative. As quoted on the “Liberator” cat collar:

Cats ambush or stalk prey to get as close as possible before launching attacks. Teeth and claws aside, its cats' propulsion abilities that gives them the hunting edge. When cats launch on live prey, they generate a substantial force of inertia. This action causes a motion sensor to trigger an audio visual alarm at the beginning and during the entire strike distance. In an explosion of common sense, Liberator® uses the force of inertia to activate the alarm. In this way, Liberator® supplies a clear pre-attack warning and provides prey with an opportunity to escape. Without placing any physical or physiological restriction on the cat (save the annoyance of yet another prey victim escaping but they'll get over it) Liberator® sabotages the "strike action". Liberator® includes a light which activates with the alarm. At night, if the cat has been allowed to be outside or has escaped, this exposes the predator and the direction of the attack.

Sounds good to me! Also, I am sure a lot of owners get fed up with hearing a bell rattling in their ears so this will not be invasive to humans either.

Suppliers

PetsAtHome
The Lamp Post
WoofnWhiskers

I have previously purchased from PetsAtHome but not the other two, they do look pretty good so it is a matter of personal choice

Can Animals Reason?

Rozzalin — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:22:02 GMT

My first dog, Jack, came into this world with one of his first experiences being kicked around a football pitch by two obviously disturbed boys. When my mum and I discovered him at Battersea Dogs Home I was eight years old, he couldn't have been more than three months old. He had already been operated on, yet despite further operations over the years he never fully recovered. He was a very strong minded dog, being a Jack Russell, but over the fourteen years of his life he never did like boys. So, did he reason with himself that they were all tied to the same brush? I cannot say for sure, but that experience never left him. I have heard behaviourists say that dogs do not hold on to memories, which having lived with a variety of non-human animals I would disagree with. How can a human possibly perceive the dynamics of an animals' mind having never been one (well of that type, anyway!) We can study them, sure, but it reminds me of professionals who write informatively on say an illness, and however useful it is will still not match with one who has actually experienced it. Such is that with a non-human animal.

Perhaps they do not go so far as to analyse the pain humans inflict upon them, but their behaviour indicates that they will always remain weary of it happening again. I adopted a rescue dog, Willow, a year and a half ago and she still cowers even if I drop something. It is a long process to recovery, she still finds it hard being around other dogs after having to fight with them for a share of the food, I sometimes wonder if she will ever fully recover. And what about farm animals? Does a cow know that the milk being stolen from its udder was meant for its calf as it stands trapped in its pen? Or the sheep that is separated from its lamb, why is it crying out for it, is it love, or just plain instinct? Like a mother for her baby ...

Of course, we are all instinctive, whether it be to survive, protect or nurture. But to suggest that a non-human animal has no mental attributes beyond this does not make sense. Because they do not use a complex language system such as ours does not mean that they have none at all. You only have to look at songbirds, they learn vocalisations in the same way we do a language. According to Dr Eric Jarvis as stated in the National Wildlife Magazine, a songbird will "learn to sing in much like human infants learn to speak."

I also came across an interesting article on GoVeg.com in which they write about the intelligence of pigs. The article states "Professor Stanley Curtis of Penn State University found that pigs play and excel at joystick-controlled video games. He observed that they are “capable of abstract representation” and “are able to hold an icon in the mind and remember it at a later date.” Professor Curtis says that “there is much more going on in terms of thinking and observing by these pigs than we would ever have guessed.” Pigs are much smarter than dogs, according to the research, and even did better at video games than some primates. Says Dr. Sarah Boysen, Curtis’ colleague, “[Pigs] are able to focus with an intensity I have never seen in a chimp.”" So doesn't this take reasoning?

All this attitude serves to do is give humans an illusion of grandeur, when in fact if we have so many more attributes than a non-human animal then why is it we act so much worse than they do! If we are so much more aware then shame on us! I guess it is easier for those that eat them, to see them as nothing more than flesh and meat makes it more digestable when they are basically eating a thinking, feeling, bonding life that deserves more than to be dressed in garnish with a side salad!

Vet Prices

Rozzalin — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:22:41 GMT

We all know that veterinary costs are expensive, you're looking at least £30 for a ten minute consultation to absolute thousands for the serious stuff! All my animal companions have lived to a ripe old age - or that considered in animal terms - to which arose the common senior citizen complaints. I think most people would agree that a lifetime commitment is a must, that an animal companion is not just there for the good times but in sickness and old age as well. But the veterinary establishment do not make it easy, their charges are not only unreasonable but I would say contributes to a large proportion of animals being abandoned. Obviously, there are the ones that are pathetically irresponsible and want the nice sparky puppy instead of the aged one at their feet, but for those whose circumstances have changed and simply cannot cope with the mounting veterinary costs, it is a heartbreaking time of looking for solutions.

There have been times when we have had to really struggle to provide the right treatment, which was not because the medication itself was expensive, but because the vets were charging three times their original worth. Pip, who passed away on 7th February 2006 was the most beautiful dog imaginable, I use to say he was the healer of the family as he knew instinctively when we were ill and would stay by our side. But when he developed Cushing's Disease it was our turn to do the healing. Pip needed Vetoryl on a daily basis, this, as quoted by Arnolds, "contain the 4a, 5-epoxysteroid trilostane. Trilostane inhibits the action of the enzyme, 3b-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase, which is important in steroid hormone synthesis. Vetoryl therefore treats hyperadrenocorticism by blocking the synthesis of cortisol." There is no doubt about it the medication helped, giving us another year and a half together. Yet during that time we really had a battle, my mum was granted help via the PDSA at a local vet, but they stopped treatment halfway through, even though we were giving them a fair price for the medication, they were not making enough profit -keeping in mind they were actually making a profit, just not the triple cost they asked for after they canceled the PDSA certificate! Because they had started treatment another PDSA vet would not take him on as they only accept a healthy animal. If you look on the online pet medication sites they roughly charge between £140 and £170 for a three month supply (competition at last!) while the vet charged £286 at the time! Now, I came across a site that could not supply Vetoryl directly as it is illegal to do so in the UK, so what they did was send it to my friend in America, who would then post it back to me! You might think this worked out more expensive, but no, it cost £95 in total (and yes, it was for a three month supply, the price for one month at the vet!) Given that this company would be still making a profit and the fact we had to pay the £15 shipping to America and the £8.00 for its return you can imagine the profit the vets are actually making. It is not that I am being mercenary, but honestly, when my vet said to me after rescuing my current dog Willow that she is a luxury, I really had to bite my tongue to respond that the luxury was all hers!

The great news is today there is a lot more choice as the vet is not the only option, they can supply a prescription free of charge of which you can scan and send to an online pet pharmacy or go to another vet and get it cheaper. My mum now has a jack russell called Lily, whom we discovered at 15 months old has diabetes, the result of which she needs two injections a day. I found an online site who sends the insulin wrapped in a cooling packet. By doing this, along with the needles my mum is paying £24 instead of £36 at the vets! I am currently researching pet insurance which did help with the initial costs but not for the regular treatment, so I am looking for one that has the best criteria to meet all needs, which I shall post here on my blog.

Perhaps I am not being completely fair, a vet will go through an awful lot of training, no doubt incurring debts along the way. According to Learn Direct they will start with approximately a £30,000 a year salary going up to £50,000 for a senior. Although the The Society of Practicing Veterinary Surgeons quoted in October 2000 that, "an average 45 year old veterinary partner earns about £62,378 per annum". Is this enough in comparison to human medical doctors? Perhaps not, yet I am not disputing that a surgery will incur some hefty bills in equipment and keeping them maintained, staff and the renting of property etc. but I am referring to the excessive cost of medication and how a consultation for a minor complaint can lead to disproportionate charges. Willow had a stomach upset, we were in the surgery for a few minutes, walked out with four sachets of probiotics and a bill for £34, this is what I consider unreasonable.

I believe charges need to be regulated and matched in accordance with treatment. If you agree with the extortionate pricing of veterinary bills then you can put your name down on a petition, put together by a lady named Beth Ring, it is better than doing nothing you know!

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/vet pricing/

Poster Distribution

Rozzalin — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:31:00 GMT

So, besides signing the petition, which is steadily increasing, what else can we do? I have just completed two different posters which can be distributed to vets, local animal rescue centers, basically anywhere that is acceptable and not offensively placed on private property. The aim is to bring about awareness and hopefully increase the numbers on the petition to make it noticeable to the government. The first poster, What do cats miss by being indoors? basically outlines just a few of the harsh realities of cats being exposed to the outside environment, the other, Keep Cats Indoors Poster is more of a subtle persuasion. In time I know it will become second nature, it wasn't that long ago that dogs run wild, even as a teenager I use to see packs running around together now they are thankfully no where to be seen. I would not want my dog out on the loose, there are just far too many dangers, as there are for cats too!

Change, is it possible?

Rozzalin — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:31:24 GMT

Well, I feel it is vitally important to start looking in to the legal aspect of the keep cats indoors campaign. I have contacted the Association of Lawyers for Animal Welfare and received a really nice response from Paula Sparks, who is the Executive Chairperson, and has offered to raise the issue at the next directors meeting. I am hoping that they won't just see this as ranting and that I am serious about making such changes - however long it takes. There are so many things that keep me motivated to seeing this through, such as the distant cry of a wild animal being tortured, having to wash out the smell of a cat spraying outside my front door, witnessing a dead cat on the side of the road and posters nailed to trees as yet another cat goes missing. I can see the issues from both sides, I know how hard it is to make changes when something has always been that way, but that does not make it right ...

If we take away the fundamental reason behind the campaign and just look at the human aspect of having to make changes it can seem quite scary. New routines have to be put in place, a new way of living emerges in which the old life appears so much easier and less hassle. We will often say it is the non-human animal that won't change, but I would say that it is mostly the owner who is not consistent with making those changes that causes the problems. Some would say it is down to laziness, but I guess that would depend on how motivated we are at the time. Most people will find this resource if there is a hefty fine attached to it, while others because it simply feels wrong. Like my dad has said, people are wholely apathetic, we want to make life better but don't quite make it to actually getting to the point of being pro-active.

Habit is also a major factor, we look at what we have achieved in the past as a guideline as to whether it is possible now. Yet I believe it is better to leave the past behind and start with a clean slate. So it may not have worked previously, that does not mean it will not now. We are more than our habits, we have the potential to do and be anything we want to be - why wait to have those changes enforced upon us, it may seem like a disadvantage but we can turn it around into something positive! Take the Keep Cats Indoors Campaign, you will have more time with your cat, you will feel uplifted that you have played a more active role in organising its time wisely, you won't have the potential health problems and the fear of never seeing him/her again. Change takes time, I know it will be a long time before I see any apparent effect as to what will come of the campaign, but persistence wins out in the end, I feel sure of this.

If we avoid making changes because it is hard work then we tend to live a life only half lived. By making the effort now we save ourselves far more hassle in the future, taking responsibility for ourselves, for the environment, our family and animals is the only way forward for a happier, more peaceful future ...

RSPB's Opinion of Cats

Rozzalin — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:37:54 GMT

I have written to several organisations over the last few days with regards to gaining a range of perspectives on the "keep cats indoors" campaign. The RSPB are the first to respond, making some informative suggestions which I have already outlined in my article Keep Cats Indoors (PDF format). The Conservation Liaison Officer, Sarah Niemann's states, "we do not have the scientific evidence of the impact of cat predation on bird populations that is strong enough to support such a call". What I find intriguing is that they will respond to public demand by supporting products such as Catwatch Cat Deterrent or a sonic device on the collar such as the CatAlert collar, but will not go all out to conduct an adequate study, therefore remaining on the fence. These aids are great to have and are basically better than nothing, but most owners will not pay out for such things, and the question also arises as to why non cat owners should have to pay out £55 to keep other peoples pets out of their garden, it's ridiculous. Ms Niemann also states, "Of the birds most frequently caught by cats in gardens, only two (house sparrow and starling) have shown recent declines in their breeding population across a range of habitats. For these two species, there is greater cause for concern – around half of the UK’s breeding starlings and house sparrows live in urban and suburban habitats, and they are among the species which are most frequently taken by cats. However, there is, as yet, no scientific evidence of the impact cats are having even on these two species." Once again, this is simply an excuse, perhaps being based on the fact that the RSPB would be losing a huge chunk of support they currently derive from cat owners? Niemann makes a point that the bluetit population is increasing, which is fantastic, but surely the fact that any breed of bird is suffering is the point? Perhaps I am wrong but I thought they were there for the welfare of animals on not simply conservation numbers. It is truly about these lives suffering based on human/cat influence. I know of owners who simply shoo their cat out the house with a sqealing bird in its mouth, it really does disgust me!

What seems to be most evident is the need for statistics, I am therefore designing a survey which I hope will accumulate into the evidence required to change legislation, along with my petition. What will be required is the impact that cats are having on our environment, our community and living in general? I would also like to gain an insight into the cat owner who already keeps their cats indoors, especially as Ms Niemann suggests there may be "serious welfare implications for cats that cannot adapt to it," though also stating that they "are not experts on cat welfare." What are those implications? Is it because the owner has not made the changes gradually or not equipped the home to provide enough stimuli for the cat? Is it their breed? Diet? It certainly needs to be thought out properly, it will be pointless if cats are abandoned because owners do not have the resources to make these changes tolerable for owner and cat.

If you would like to read the RSPB's response in PDF, here is the link RSPB Letter.

Life with a House Rabbit

Rozzalin — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:29:07 GMT

This is Cosmo, my little cherub! He is a lionhead dwarf, 2 years and 3 months old. He has lived indoors from the day he came home to my little adobe at 8 weeks old. I have had two rabbits previously, both outdoor, and I can honestly say my biggest regret is that they were not all indoor rabbits. It is a wonderful experience having him around all the time. Most times he drives me crazy, but in a funny way. He sits at the kitchen door when I cook, at my feet when I'm washing my hair and on the sofa with Willow, my dog, and me watching TV. He follows me everywhere, getting under my feet - so soft slippers are a must - he has travelled for free to Timbuktu a few times with me joining him on occasion! He's mischievous, intelligent and loves trying to beat me to the top of the stairs!

Rabbits started to become known for their beautiful natures around 19th century, some calling them 'sweethearts'. Beatrix Potter was a huge influence to me as a child, though everyone else thought it unconventional to have a rabbit indoors at the time. Thankfully, times have moved on with America leading the way in 1988 with the House Rabbit Society and the Rabbit Welfare Association being formed in 1996 in the UK. It makes a huge difference having these resources, rabbits are hard work, like all animal companions, none should be selected as a supposed easy option, there is no such thing.

Rabbits love human company though few, including Cosmo, like to be picked up. He would tolerate it, I’m sure, but because they are prey animals he hates being towered over and confined, he'll dance round my feet every morning, or when I've been out for a bit, but getting down to his level and allowing him to come to me is preferable. They aren't for the house proud, but then if you're that picky then no animal should be considered. He is clean on the whole, while kicking up his carefresh every time he leaves the tray is one of those things. Being indoors he gets far more exercise, he is less stressed and enjoys various stimuli. Compared to being outside he is noticed more and so therefore gets more attention. It has been noted that hutch rabbits are more likely to die with supposedly no warning than a house rabbit. This I can understand as I notice if his health has altered, which with nasal cavity problems is useful to know, the vet does not know what is causing it after trying various things, but I shall cover rabbit health issues another time.

I personally do not think children should have rabbits until at least after the age of 10 when they understand a bit more about responsibility, there is a huge overflow of abandoned rabbits because parents don't realise what they have got themselves in to. Because they are often kept outside neither child nor parent wants to go out and look after the rabbit in dire weather, and if indoors they realise they don't have the time to clean up and keep it company - Cosmo loves me being around, he back rolls and dances round the room, they need contact and will become depressed if left alone for prolonged periods of time.

Some issues that are worth considering if you want a house rabbit are:

1. Safety. Bunny-proof your home, Cosmo loved wires. Thankfully this stopped after a year old and he was never destructive with anything else. But I could have saved myself a lot of rewiring if I had used cable wrap or plastic tubing.
2. Initially it is well worth getting your rabbit established in his own territory for about a week. Keeping in mind that what you adopt as a baby may not be adequate as an adult. My mum originally purchased a wire cage which I soon realised didn't give him any privacy and as he grew the cardboard tubing was overtaking the cage. For a long while he didn't have anything as he took root under a chair, but I recently made him a two-storey house which he loves! Rabbits love being up high so when I am cleaning he goes in there.

Food is a big issue for rabbits. Changing dry food rapidly really causes problems for their delicate digestive systems, so make sure you stick to the same supplier or gradually introduce the new food over a couple of weeks. In the way of fresh food, which should be every day Cosmo loves wild rocket, watercress, carrots, romaine lettuce and anything dark leafed as the light-coloured leaf causes stomach upsets. He also loves radish leaves and treats of pineapple chunks which I hope is true in the sense that it helps with fur balls forming. I also give him western timothy hay as that is pretty much dust free and he also likes ready grass and oat hay.

Pet Insurance is more money for rabbits, I guess because they are more specialised. PetPlan is £11.10 a month for Cosmo yet £9.90 for Willow! Rabbits certainly aren’t the cheaper option health care wise, they are likely to cost on par with a cat. But they are well worth it, Cosmo has the loveliest nature and I just adore him.

In The Name of Freedom

Rozzalin — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:38:36 GMT

So last night I am sitting watching a dvd with my neighbour, the film was Babel, which wasn't my cup of tea so I sat looking out at her garden. Before long it turned into cat central. Her two sat at my feet looking rather put out as one sprays up a bush and another is trying to paw open the sliding door. Her two are afraid to go out the catflap when the ginger one (who sprayed) is out there as it tends to attack them. There is a sweet little black and white female who cannot be far off a year old but with a sagging belly is obviously pregnant, her brother and three others. My neighbour doesn't seem to mind, but I do, they are the reason why I don't feed the wild birds, which saddens me deeply. Before I moved here I would often spend time watching them feed and interact. Cat owners often talk about their cat's god given right to be free, but what about mine? I don't have a cat yet because so many others do in my area, I feel as though I would be setting up a death trap.

Cats Protection have estimated 250,000 road fatalities a year for cats, which sounds a considerable amount until you make the comparison with the 275 million animal deaths that cats are responsible for each year. So whose life is more valuable, the domesticated or the wild animal? I would suggest an equality to all life, but to cat owners who fully accept their cats as predators and do not stand in its way should be held accountable for those lives, it is one thing a wild animal killing another, but it is a complete travesty when an animal under our charge is doing the slaughtering. If I allowed my dog out on the loose her nature would be to chase everything in sight, causing destruction along the way. But this isn't simply about the law being imposed on me to keep her under control, I love her and want to keep her safe. How can anyone suggest that a cat is protected under the Animal Welfare Act when the owner does nothing to protect the cat from outside dangers? It is almost laughable, the hypocrisy of it all!

Cats and Our Wildlife

Rozzalin — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:37:22 GMT

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.