This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.
Cats Cats Cats – so what?!
I am a proud owner of 4 cats (that are strictly indoors -apartment) and a new addition – a dog. They’re all well taken care of, loved and fixed.Now why is the HRM bitching that we can only have 3 cats/3 dogs in the home?!?!?! I understand completely i
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I spend so much time, money, and energy trying to prevent the local herd of cats from destroying my garden, that I am ready to start poisoning the little fuckers. And I like cats. Have one myself. But the thing stays In The House. I don’t give a flying fuck how many cats, rats, bats, or mongooses (mongeese?) anyone has, as long as they keep them inside, or bring them out on a leash. I am %100 in favour of a cat bylaw, but I think it should focus on eliminating cats at large. You’re not allowed to let your dog roam at large. Why do the same rules not apply to cats? Leave the responsible pet owners alone.
So…you think that all us non cat owners should put up fences to keep everyone else’s precious pets from destroying our gardens, etc.? Why don’t they fence their little miracles in their own yard?? They let them run wild all over town, then whine when someone calls them on it. For fuck sakes, quit the crack.I don’t give a toss how many pets you people own, just keep control of them (sounds like you do, I’ll give you that).Why the fuck should we non owners have to be the ones to use “common sense”. We do, and sound like assholes when all the rest don’t have any clue.
Did you not read the whole paragraph? CALL ANIMAL CONTROL -or if you know the owner – go and bitch them out. That’s what I would do. (Not trying to sound bitchy – sorry)Yes I’d like to think people would be committed to their pets – and keep them in control if they don’t want or appreciate their property being destroyed.If I had a yard – I would look into investing an electric fence – which is great for pets – and just gives them a little jolt when they’ve crossed the line (through a collar) and makes a high pitched beeping sound – so they learn their boundaries.But once again – my pets are strictly indoors – and my dog only goes out for walks.
I’m Moe…my name was changed after my first post. My whole point Dom…is that why should I or anyone else have to call ANIMAL CONTROL(as you put it)or talk to any asshole owner about their problem. It’s my property and I shouldn’t have to deal with some shitty cat running rampant on it. Would any of these people let they’re kids, dogs, husbands, or wives run around shitting and pissing on someones nice garden?? no…then why just cats???? Are they allowed to because they’re cute, or cuddly. Fuck that. Time to get me a pellet gun.Have fun installing that fence. Nice that you keep your pets under control though. too bad everyone couldn’t.
Folks, Animal Control can’t do anything about stray cats. Reason being…there’s no bylaw pertaining to cats. I used to work the phones for ’em…and if I had a nickel for every time I had to explain this to somebody, I’d be very wealthy.I know, this kinda sucks. Everyone thinks that a cat bylaw is silly…me too. But if you want AC to have the authority to deal with cats, they need just that – authority. And until we come up with a way to make everybody have some common sense, we’re going to have to live with these “bylaws for anything”. Sucks to be us.
I’m with you Coyote. It’s an issue of responsible pet ownership. You can let your cats outside if they behave and are not a nuisance, you can let your dog outside if it behaves. But, otherwise, people should be held responsible for the damage caused by their animals.I’m a city vegetable gardener who deals with this problem. And it’s VERY difficult to find a humane way of keeping the 8 neighbourhood cats (which all live no more than 2 doors away) out of my garden. I’ve tried everything. Fences don’t stop them.. The little fuckers are hell bent on digging up and shitting in my soil. I HAVE talked to my neighbours—and I think you’ll find this in a lot of places—they don’t care. They feel that it’s cruel to keep the cats locked up inside (which I agree with) and it’s their right to go into my yard, and that it’s MY problem!? I’ve never had a problem in other populated areas. With one or two cats, you can deal with it. The main problem here is that these people have up to 5 cats in tiny townhouses! So I agree with imposing a restriction on the total number of cats. And, maybe this needs to be enforced with registration.I just think it’s amazing that someone can essentialy SHIT IN MY FOOD and destroy a major part of my sustenance without caring about it, or having any repercussions. It’s not like this is a hobby for me. I grow the food to eat and to freeze for the winter. And, there’s nothing I can do, apparently, about these cats. I don’t want to hurt them, but I’m getting tempted.
Wow what a debate! Crowther I disagree with you neighbours that it’s cruel to keep cats inside. It’s a lot healthier for the animal to be kept inside and not have to deal with cat fights, communicable diseases, and infestations from other cats (stray or not). I don’t see any need whatsoever to have more than 2 cats. I sympathize with people who have more and may have to make a decision, but what on earth made them decide having 4 or more cats was a good idea? I’d really like an answer to that. I love cats. They are incredible animals and great pets. My Calico is 10 and has never been an outside cat. She’s not maladjusted because of it. She hates another cat coming up on HER gallery and doesn’t hesitate to show her displeasure. The by-law is a cash grab IMHO. 200,000 cats reg’d at $10 a pop every year? Whoa that’s some kind of booty! I disagree with penalizing responsible cat owners for the likes of those who have no common sense. Maybe the by-law should read something like if you have more than 2 cats then you need to register all of them “IF” they are outdoor cats and/or caught outdoors. Otherwise, what goes on in your own dwelling is akin to what goes on in your bedroom – hands off.
I had a problem with cats coming into my garden and crapping all over the place. But, I bought a sling shot with steel pellets. After a couple of weeks, no more cats. Just kidding. I put small garlic bulbs throughout the flower beds. The cats hate the smell of garlic. After a couple of days, I had no problems with cats coming into my garden. As a bonus, the bulbs grew this year so now I have fresh garlic in addition to a cat repellant.
Today cats live longer than ever. Just 20 years ago the life expectancy of a cat was four to six years; today they live 15 years or more. Life expectancy in cats depends on many things, but the most important factor is whether he is an indoor-only cat or an outdoor cat. Life expectancy varies significantly between the two.# Indoor cats generally live from 12-18 years of age. Many may live to be in their early 20s. The oldest reported cat was 28 years old at the time of death.# Outdoor cats generally live to be around four to five years of age. Their deaths are typically due to traumas such as being hit by a car or dog attacks. Outdoor cats are also more susceptible to several deadly viruses that are spread by fighting or prolonged intimate contact with an infected cat.
If you care about your cat, keep it inside. Simple. If you think your cat’s bored, get him so toys. Mine likes the little fuzzy ones. I don’t give a shit if you think it’s more ‘natural’ to let cat roam outside, this is the city people! It may be alright to let your cat roam if you live in the country (although I still wouldn’t), but not in the city. Keep them inside for their own sake, and for your neighbours’ sake.
I think if this is the only way to control outdoor cats and the pet owners then I say we need to proceed with the bylaw. I think it is terrible that we, the indoor cat owners have to be responsible for all the cat owners who let their cats roam irresponsibly. I am NOT saying that all indoor cat owners are responible or that all cat owners who let their cats outdoors are irresponsible, but I think we all are aware who essentially are the most contributing factors to this bylaw.AND Dog owners are still need to be more responsible. In the Hydrostone, I find there is a large poulation of dogs walking free from leashes…
Valid points on both sides but I really believe that if the by-law is passed people just will not conform. Is a “bad owner” going to abide by the law and register their cat(s) … highly unlikely.Something that makes me curious is capping the number of cats. Is it 3 cats per owner or 3 cats per civic address? Something else has me a little curious; please consider. The apt building where I live has 8 apts on my floor. If my neighbours each had 3 cats that would be 21 cats living on the same floor. I know there are not 21 cats currently living on my floor but the hallway ALWAYS stinks of cat piss and cat litter. As a non pet-owner do I have any rights other than moving to a building that doesn’t allow pets??? Or will HRM also legislate cat owners to clean their litter box 3 times/wk and legislate that cat owners use non-odour kitty litter??? You see how rediculous that sounds … how can this by-law possibly work?
@crowtherOn the subject of a humane way to keep cats from crapping in your garden: I’ve found one that works pretty well. You stick popsicle sticks all over the ground, and especially around your plants. Insert them at varying heights. Every time a cat tries to squat, a stick pokes it in the ass. The sticks aren’t sharp, it doesn’t hurt them. It just makes it impossible for them to assume the position. The cats will try to knock the sticks over, so you have to be vigilant and keep them upright. But it has worked quite well for me.
A BB gun works just dandy on those beastly litte godless pissers.