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  #1  
Old April 16th, 2012, 07:57 AM
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Cats are rats -- ask the songbirds

Interesting article - seems to me things are changing for domestic outdoor cats.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opi...147422005.html

I'd be VERY curious to know how members feel about licensing cats in the identical way we do for dogs.
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Old April 16th, 2012, 09:05 AM
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I think cats should be licensed so if a cat gets out accidentally, it's more easily identifiable and is reunited with its owner more quickly. It would also encourage owners to spay and neuter their cats if the fee for licensing is dependent upon reproductive status.

But I don't think it will help the problem. People who have outside cats will either not license them or leave the tags off them and things will continue as they have. Wildlife would still be at risk from the cats that will remain outdoors. Licensing did not eliminate the dog overpopulation problem, and I doubt it would for cats.

If the licensing fees are directed back into the animal control system for either facilities or education, though, there could be a very large benefit in the long run...
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Old April 16th, 2012, 11:06 AM
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I have always advocated for licensing for cats. At least then they may start getting treated with the same measure of respect dogs are. And yes, I'm still on that bandwagon.
I don't have time to read the article right now. I don't imagine I'll be too damned impressed when I do.
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Old April 16th, 2012, 11:34 AM
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Strong sentiments for an article you have not read.
I could be very wrong but I thought most people would actually appreciate the article.

Personally....I too am 100% in favour of licensing cats in an identical way to dogs. I do not think domestic pet cats should be allowed to roam freely in the same way that dogs are not allowed to roam freely. I also agree w/14+ that mandatory licensing WILL change the perceived "value" of a cat in the minds of some people.

From the article "In 2007, Calgary put in place mandatory cat licensing, and required that house cats be kept indoors or leashed when outside. Since then, 50,000 cats have been licensed and the number of euthanized strays has been cut in half."

That is VERY encouraging to hear imo. Of course it may not solve the problem completely, but 50% reduction in euthanasia....that's very very very good.
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Old April 16th, 2012, 12:29 PM
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In Medicine Hat, Alberta, cats are licensed, and have been for several years.

Even if adopting one, the licence fee is added to the adoption to make sure it is done.

I don't mind, if it helps to recover an animal faster then great. Mine do not go outside at all, and don't seem interested in sneaking out, but I sure would want them returned if they did. They are also microchipped.

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Old April 16th, 2012, 03:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marko View Post
Strong sentiments for an article you have not read.

Not really. Actually it's a pretty mild sentiment. A strong one would be "I don't imagine I'll be too "effing" impressed when I do." But I only use that word when I am severely ticked off.

I could be very wrong but I thought most people would actually appreciate the article.
It's got nothing to do with "appreciating" the article. It's got to more with the perception the title of the article gives. This discussion has been had before here by someone who came on and called cats rats. If I have time I may go looking for the thread and pin it here for reference. If I'm not mistaken that thread was locked because of the feelings it aroused.

Back on track - when I see an article titled such as this one I suppose my hackles go up. I wasn't far wrong. It is the same as hundreds of other articles I've read. Not much blame being placed where it should be - with the owners. Not much said about responsible spay/neutering. Would have been an excellent venue to spout that. It was finally mentioned waaaayy down in the what? second last paragraph. When it is mentioned it is to say politicians back off when it comes to discussing the exact things that need to be discussed because of the minefield. Now wouldn't it be nice to find a politician who would actually do the job they are getting those outrageous salaries for and venture into that minefield? Maybe that's what is needed.

We need mandatory s/n of cat. I've said before cats need to be leashed or at the very least contained in a safe environment when they are outdoors. That is not for the safety of the songbird. It's for their own safety. We need licensing of all cats. I wonder if the SPCA is going to be willing to hire more officers to go around to the farmers and tell them to s/n all their cats. My guess would be no. They don't have the money and the government is not about to hand it over to them.

From personal experience, I have a few cats . Some of them live in an enclosed area where there are also trees and ummm, birds. Amazingly even with them living in such close proximity to each other in a years time there may be two birds caught and eaten by these cats. I know when there is because I find the feathers of the bird the next day. Not a half eaten bird. My cats use the whole bird. Nothing goes to waste. Now why does that not jive with the numbers claimed in the article? I don't think my cats are any different than the rest of them.

What would be marvelous to read is an article that might make people sit up and take notice of the issues surrounding all of the millions of homeless cats in the world. It would be nice to read that someone is finally taking a stand and doing something about it. Find an article like that and I would be more than impressed when I read it.

** Ooops, nothing goes to waste except for about two dozen or so feathers....
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Last edited by 14+kitties; April 16th, 2012 at 03:43 PM.
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  #7  
Old April 16th, 2012, 04:10 PM
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I agree with licensing cats,but of course most importantly spay/neuter.
People have to stop looking at that cute little kitten,take him home on a whim,only to dump him outside when he is grownup,not a cute little plaything anymore.

My own cats as everyone know come outside with us,are not even interested in exploring what's behind that fence,as for catching birds,I know they would love to but never manage too.

We have about 3 roaming cats in my neighborhood,I know where they live..one of them(since an indoor cat)would lay under my birdfeeders and caught a few birds,that he brought home.
I went over and spoke to the owner,I just did not want him to use my backyard for his hunting ground,my birdfeeders to be a trap,after that and him running away,being picked up by Humane Society,he is now an inside cat.

There should be no difference between cats and dogs,cats are intelligent,have feelings,are very loving and only ask to be loved and cared for,just like dogs.

Thousands of cats are killed every year,shelters are overdcrowded with cats,it just has to stopbut I have a feeling,just like the ignorant people who don't care,our politicians are the same.
After all,here in Ontario,we kill dogs,just for being a certain breed,why would they care about little cats.
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Old April 16th, 2012, 04:19 PM
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okay then 14+ - I guess I get more excited than you do when I feel the real beginnings of a shift in perception. This is the 3rd story on this topic that I have heard in just 2 weeks.

For me this story is a positive thing. For me the meaningful "perception" is not the headline....which is only designed to get people to read the rest of the article. I let these things go because I see them for what they are...a simple hook to get you to read on.

The fact that we are talking about this at all....when this would have never even been published just a few years ago is good. Obviously - we have a long long way to go. That doesn't mean that slow progress is bad. All progress is good imo.

Many thousands of cats in Calgary and other cities are not dying because of this change in perception, so if a provocative headline gets people to read an article, I have no problem with it. In fact if more of these provocative headlines make it to the news, it means the change is happening at a faster rate. I can live with a provocative headlines if the story supports and advances something that I believe in.....and I do believe that's all I have to say about that...
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  #9  
Old April 17th, 2012, 05:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 14+kitties View Post
It's got nothing to do with "appreciating" the article. It's got to more with the perception the title of the article gives. This discussion has been had before here by someone who came on and called cats rats. If I have time I may go looking for the thread and pin it here for reference. If I'm not mistaken that thread was locked because of the feelings it aroused.

Back on track - when I see an article titled such as this one I suppose my hackles go up. I wasn't far wrong. It is the same as hundreds of other articles I've read. Not much blame being placed where it should be - with the owners. Not much said about responsible spay/neutering. Would have been an excellent venue to spout that. It was finally mentioned waaaayy down in the what? second last paragraph. When it is mentioned it is to say politicians back off when it comes to discussing the exact things that need to be discussed because of the minefield. Now wouldn't it be nice to find a politician who would actually do the job they are getting those outrageous salaries for and venture into that minefield? Maybe that's what is needed.

We need mandatory s/n of cat. I've said before cats need to be leashed or at the very least contained in a safe environment when they are outdoors. That is not for the safety of the songbird. It's for their own safety. We need licensing of all cats. I wonder if the SPCA is going to be willing to hire more officers to go around to the farmers and tell them to s/n all their cats. My guess would be no. They don't have the money and the government is not about to hand it over to them.

From personal experience, I have a few cats . Some of them live in an enclosed area where there are also trees and ummm, birds. Amazingly even with them living in such close proximity to each other in a years time there may be two birds caught and eaten by these cats. I know when there is because I find the feathers of the bird the next day. Not a half eaten bird. My cats use the whole bird. Nothing goes to waste. Now why does that not jive with the numbers claimed in the article? I don't think my cats are any different than the rest of them.

What would be marvelous to read is an article that might make people sit up and take notice of the issues surrounding all of the millions of homeless cats in the world. It would be nice to read that someone is finally taking a stand and doing something about it. Find an article like that and I would be more than impressed when I read it.

** Ooops, nothing goes to waste except for about two dozen or so feathers....
. My hackles went up too.

Your numbers don't jive with the data because the data is not accurate.
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Old October 25th, 2012, 08:01 PM
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I am worried cats collars will get caught on a tree branch or a dog will be able to get a hold of the cat easier . There are collars that will break away in case ta cat does get caught on something . If this passed I hope people uses the break away collars. I think it is more of a way for the cities and towns to make more money as I really do not see how having cats get license will save birds. The only way to stop cats from killing birds is to not allow then go outside.
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Old October 26th, 2012, 12:06 PM
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I like the idea of licensing cats, but I understand Barkingdog's worries about it raising the cost of pet ownership. It already costs a lot to feed and give annual vaccinations. Sugarcatmom, you are lucky your fees are so cheap. Here licensing fees are twenty dollars per neutered animal and more if unneutered. That means our three cats cost $60 dollars a year. Our dog costs more. We follow the bylaw and renew each year and it has gone up twice in the past five years since we got Dr. Seuss.
We won't get rid of any of our current pets, but we certainly will think twice before adding another one and the cost of licensing. (And if you get your pet from a shelter you have to license because they know you have the pet.) That makes one less potential spot for an animal in need of a home.
If you could guarantee the license fee stayed low, it would be wonderful, but too many city councils look at animals as a luxury to be taxed with license fees whenever they need more money.
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Old December 1st, 2012, 09:59 PM
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In my town all pets are suppose to be licensed. It does not matter. I can see the point on if they get out, then they want all animals to be up to date on shots.
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Old December 2nd, 2012, 12:32 PM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
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My only concern about cats be required to be licensed is they will have to wear a collar and this can put a cat a great risk . A cat could very easily get caught on a tree branch or a wire fence when going under it. I agree a well fed cat will still want to hunt for birds and mice. I have a neighbor that let their cat out and he come into our yard to hunt of mice and I have found dead a few times and they have not been eaten . A cat can live in a house and be very happy as long as it has a climbing tower and toys to play with. and I read the article . There are some cites in my state that be required cats to be licensed.


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Old December 2nd, 2012, 01:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barkingdog View Post
My only concern about cats be required to be licensed is they will have to wear a collar and this can put a cat a great risk .
Can't speak for other cities, but here in Calgary the cat's licence number is tied to their microchip number or tattoo, so they don't actually have to wear a collar. As per the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, licencing your cat does not give it "license" wander off your property:

Calgary's Responsible Cat Ownership Bylaw


Quote:
A cat must be licensed but does not have to wear his licence tag as long as he has a readable microchip or legible tattoo.

..........

Responsible cat owners ensure that cats do not roam on public property or others’ private property. Under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 23M2006, cats must be confined to their owner’s property. Owners must be sure that their cat does not cause damage to property, such as digging in neighbouring yards, knocking over garbage cans or scattering garbage.
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