The mystery of the shaved cat.........

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Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Lepplady

Chillin' since 2006
Nov 30, 2006
12,498
65,639
Red Stick
I disagree that cats should be kept indoors. They perform services in the neighborhood, like keeping the mouse/rat/critter population under control, especially in more rural areas. People with clippers need to keep their hands off of other people's pets.

They should put tacking devices on their animals, especially if it's multiple pets in the neighborhood that it's happening to. Track their pet's movements and they'll find the offender.
It may just be shaving now, but could escalate into something much more tragic.
 

blunthead

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2006
80,755
195,461
Atlanta GA
I met an old man once who told me that every wandering cat he could catch, he would take it to the vet and have it spayed or neutered. He would pay for it, make sure it was taken care of and then let it go.

I have mixed feelings on this. Part good, part not so good.
Let it go where? My understanding is that a fixed cat is in a compromised state vs feral cats and other predators.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Let it go where? My understanding is that a fixed cat is in a compromised state vs feral cats and other predators.
That is something else - I was mainly thinking of the welfare of the cat.

If there are people who allow their cats out without first spaying or neutering them, then that is rather irresponsible.

On top of this, they (the cats, that is!) kill birds too, as well as just mice and other rodents.

A cat could pick up fleas or worms and bring them back into your home. Or they could get killed by a car or just get beat up by other cats or a run-in with a racoon, dog, whatever.

There are also sickos out there who dislike cats and will go out of their way to hurt them, if they catch them.

Overall, quite a risky scenario for your pet. It does help if you train them to be afraid of going near a door, right from the time they are kittens.
 

blunthead

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2006
80,755
195,461
Atlanta GA
That is something else - I was mainly thinking of the welfare of the cat.

If there are people who allow their cats out without first spaying or neutering them, then that is rather irresponsible.

On top of this, they (the cats, that is!) kill birds too, as well as just mice and other rodents.

A cat could pick up fleas or worms and bring them back into your home. Or they could get killed by a car or just get beat up by other cats or a run-in with a racoon, dog, whatever.

There are also sickos out there who dislike cats and will go out of their way to hurt them, if they catch them.

Overall, quite a risky scenario for your pet. It does help if you train them to be afraid of going near a door, right from the time they are kittens.
For what it's worth my stance about cat ownership is strict in that since it automatically includes having them neutered they shouldn't be allowed outside due to their being in a compromised state (I'm flexible about this since I don't know if science supports the idea that neutered cats are more subject to predators).