Pet cats - proposal to ban in places.

[Clodagh]

I find it odd that people who are pro hunting and state that foxes are a danger to other wildlife and livestock are happy to have as a pet a far more prolific killer in their house. Just saying....

I’m ok then… I’m pro hunting and anti cat!

Although that’s not fair I just want cat owners to be held responsible for their pets.

I’m sure no one believes me that next doors cat killed my bantams. But it happened. I barely got a sorry.

My dog has been infected with toxoplasmosis. Yes she shouldn’t eat cat shit, but it’s on my lawn.

 

[palo1]

There hasn't been any mention of a ban.

There's been a report on responsible ownership which look at different schemes around the world.

There was a mention of restrictions in highly sensitive areas with endangered specifies but it wasn't one of the recommendations.

The recommendation is another report.

"We recommend that the Scottish Ministers ask NatureScot to commission a report into the advantages and disadvantages for wildlife of introducing cat containment areas, including the definition of vulnerable areas, domestic and feral cat welfare issues, seasonal pressures, restrictions on introducing cats to households in vulnerable areas, and specific containment measures to be considered.”

FACT CHECK: Are the SNP really considering banning cats?

CLAIM: The SNP are “to consider banning cats”. The Telegraph ...

www.thenational.scot

That is an update in response to the media 'interpretation' of the report.

 

[rabatsa]

My two year old barn cat is a killing machine. Not a day goes by without some form of evidence. Bird wings left lying about, rabbit legs, parts of rodents. He will drag rabbit carcases larger than himself back into the barn to eat and stash the hind end for afters when he can fit it in.

He still turns up twice a day for something in a bowl, even if he has to force a mouthful down due to already being gorged on something else.

Cats do as much damage to nesting birds by disturbing them off eggs as by killing the parent birds.

Keeping a tidy yard has been as much a deterrent to visiting rodents as the cat in all honesty, we rarely saw a rat before he arrived too. The barn owls that nested in our barn have left for other residences since he came though.

 

[criso]

That is an update in response to the media 'interpretation' of the report.

It's a fact checking article looking at the deliberately misleading clickbait by the DM then picked up the Telegraph.

Here's a link to the original report from the 27th Jan

Responsible ownership and care of domestic cats in Scotland: report

Report on responsible ownership and care of domestic cats (Felis catus) in Scotland by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.

www.gov.scot

 

[Birker2020]

I would support that but it isn't going to happen.

Indoor cats fine.
Outdoor cats that kill so many birds and small animals, not fine.

You wouldn't be allowed to have any other predator animal as a pet and just let it out without supervision to wander on other people's property and kill wild animals.

I'm glad our whippets keep cats out of our garden and keep the many songbirds we have here safe.

This is probably a daft question but can they not enforce the use of bells on collars if people wish to own cats?

You can buy safety collars for them. Surely that would negate having to restrict the owning of cats? Or am I missing something?

 

[Caol Ila]

Someone beat me to it, but no one is banning cats. Sheesh. We should all get better at fact-checking.

Exasperated Swinney forced to deny he plans to ban cat ownership in Scotland

Keir Starmer’s spokesperson also rejects idea of UK ban after online misinformation prompted outrage

www.theguardian.com

Governments recieve reports from independant organisations proposing all kind of things, all the time. They get hundreds of these things a week, probably. It doesn't mean that they follow everything (or anything) in aforesaid paper. It doesn't mean whatever is in the report will become policy.

Life imitates art. I remember a West Wing episode about this very issue. I can't recall the details, but the government recieved a report from an independant organisation recommending some unpopular/totally impractical policy, and some moron of a journalist got a hold of the report, published it without bothering to fact-check how this actually works, then there was a whole kerfuffle that Bartlett and his administration had to fix.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

This is probably a daft question but can they not enforce the use of bells on collars if people wish to own cats?

You can buy safety collars for them. Surely that would negate having to restrict the owning of cats? Or am I missing something?

Bells are actually quite intrusive to a cats senses and from what I’ve seen almost completely useless at stopping them catching things…

I did put a bird deterrent collar on mine after she caught her first one, but it works on visual clues so the birds can see her.

I’m all for catios if I had any who strayed more but I’ve been lucky that 3 don’t really go out and the one who does doesn’t go really beyond my garden.

From all the cats I’ve known I still stand by pet cats are not the big threat to birds that people think…

 

[palo1]

Someone beat me to it, but no one is banning cats. Sheesh. We should all get better at fact-checking.

Exasperated Swinney forced to deny he plans to ban cat ownership in Scotland

Keir Starmer’s spokesperson also rejects idea of UK ban after online misinformation prompted outrage

www.theguardian.com

Governments recieve reports from independant organisations proposing all kind of things, all the time. They get hundreds of these things a week, probably. It doesn't mean that they follow everything (or anything) in aforesaid paper. It doesn't mean whatever is in the report will become policy.

Life imitates art. I remember a West Wing episode about this very issue. I can't recall the details, but the government recieved a report from an independant organisation recommending some unpopular/totally impractical policy, and some moron of a journalist got a hold of the report, published it without bothering to fact-check how this actually works, then there was a whole kerfuffle that Bartlett and his administration had to fix.

I don't think it was suggested that it would be policy - simply a proposal (by an NGO) which I thought was interesting, albeit the way it was communicated definitely clickbait!

 

[Janique]

Sorry to keep going on about Switzerland all the time....

One of the solution to reduce the cat's population here would be to make it obligatory to put a microchip on them.

At the moment, not many people bother, but if they have to by law, it might make people think before they breed or buy cats.

It would be expensive, something like 150.- and people would get fined if they don't.

The vet would have to tell the authorities about any cats not being microchipped, they already do it for dogs.

Hopefully, people will finally be responsible and look after their cats properly.

They are so many people breeding them to make a bit of money on the side and also because kittens are just so cute !!!!!

 

[criso]

In the actual report report they make recommendations around vaccination, neutering and microchipping.

Responsible ownership and care of domestic cats in Scotland: report

Report on responsible ownership and care of domestic cats (Felis catus) in Scotland by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.

www.gov.scot

The recommendations are compulsory; microchip; don't make vaccination compulsory but encourage engagement with veterinary services, and they don't support compulsory neutering.

 

[HJJ]

This may have already been covered as I haven't had time to read the thread, but humans have caused far, far more damage to the environment and biodiversity than cats.

Pollution, littering, land development, deforestation, disease spread through globalisation, weapons testing, war, resource depletion for consumerism, climate damage ...

 

[honetpot]

We have three cats, we also have a barn owl that leaves deposits in our barn and hunts the drainage ditches. From my sofa I see most garden birds, plus heron, the owl, buzzard, red kite, partridge, kestrel and I think they are more likely to be killed by the huge dog fox that wandered across my patio in the snow the other week. The most magpies I have seen in trees at one time is twenty, so I am not sure where that puts me according to the rhyme.
Apart from the removal of hedges in front and back gardens, and the paving over of habitat for food species, usually for parking, how many birds and other native animals are killed by cars? The roads around us are often littered with birds that have nested in trees in spring, the verge, dead hedgehog, fox, deer, and badger.
We still have mice in our sheds, hence the owl I think, and I have three full sparrow box tenements, so I think the cats have little effect, if they get a rat its a rare gift.
I am an untidy gardener, I have a nettle patch, and leave fallen apples for the birds, the fieldfares and jays are slowly clearing them up. Half my garden area is no mow from May until September. I love watching the starlings fight over the bird feeder and watch their young beg for food, the gawky begging young magpie following their parents around is hilarious. Never seen a cat try and take a bird.
We have become obsessed with smart sharp surfaces, the reduction of small animals is more likely caused by tarmac and block paving. All you need is a multi use bird box, a small water source and perhaps some scrappy piece of grass that you do not mow with a few large stones and you will make a start. Humans are the affecting populations on a large scale just because they like order. I used to keep mice as child, one mouse gets in the wrong place, and you soon have a whole lot of mice.

Mouse Math – How Fast Do Mice Multiply? - Madsen Pest Management

To some, mice might seem harmless, maybe even cute. But these little critters can wreak havoc on your home or business.

madsenpest.com

 

[Dave's Mam]

I have always had cats. Some outdoor & some housecats. My outdoor cats didn't really hunt, except the odd mouse. They were too lazy to be bothered most of the time.
Current cat is a house cat, she's too fine & tiny to go outside, also she doesn't like the feeling of grass under her paws, & most importantly, some knob would steal her to breed (she's spayed, but they wouldn't know that).
One of my old outdoor cats was shot with a .22 & also had some kids try to kick the sh1t out of him, only I just happened to be behind them & guldered at them.
Most responses when folk have rodents is to get a cat, I'm not sure where we say a cat is useful or dangerous to wildlife.

Photo of Princess Pixie, just because.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

My opinion on cats is never popular but the stupidity of some cat owners astounds me. Cats should be kept indoors or a catio type thing. Indoor cats don't get run over, shot at, attacked by other animals, shit in other people's gardens, kill wildlife of any variety or get lost/stolen. Our local village page is full of lost cats (some of the lost cats are repeat offenders for sodding off), cats invading other people's houses, cats that have been run over etc...why risk a supposedly beloved pet?? If you can't keep it contained and safe then don't get one surely?

 

[palo1]

Such interesting replies - I know the headline was media clickbait but it is an interesting proposal wrt wildlife. I do think that cats are far more impactful than many of us realise - both on wildlife and our neighbours. I also think, although the original proposal isn't likely to go anywhere, that we will increasingly have to make tough choices re our lifestyles and between environmental needs and animal welfare concerns.

 

[ycbm]

My opinion on cats is never popular but the stupidity of some cat owners astounds me. Cats should be kept indoors or a catio type thing. Indoor cats don't get run over, shot at, attacked by other animals, shit in other people's gardens, kill wildlife of any variety or get lost/stolen. Our local village page is full of lost cats (some of the lost cats are repeat offenders for sodding off), cats invading other people's houses, cats that have been run over etc...why risk a supposedly beloved pet?? If you can't keep it contained and safe then don't get one surely?

I agree with you mostly but I would still have free range cats if we still lived with no neighbours and a rabbit and rat problem. My last cat is now a "her house and her garden" only cat and it feels much safer that way.
.

 

[lannerch]

My cat a bengal so potentially a prolific killer goes out in a safety collar and Father Christmas sounding jingle bell . Occasionally she catches a very deaf shrew or fledgling in the spring . But overnight problem solved .

 

[TheHairyOne]

I am very glad I have my cats as daytime outdoor cats since my neighbours decided to have an open compost pile at the bottom of the garden of our terraced houses. The only thing I have known them to have caught in the 5 years I have had the current cats have been rats in the 18 months since the pile of rotting waste arrived. I dread to think what would have happened to the rat population without them.

 

[equinerebel]

My opinion on cats is never popular but the stupidity of some cat owners astounds me. Cats should be kept indoors or a catio type thing. Indoor cats don't get run over, shot at, attacked by other animals, shit in other people's gardens, kill wildlife of any variety or get lost/stolen. Our local village page is full of lost cats (some of the lost cats are repeat offenders for sodding off), cats invading other people's houses, cats that have been run over etc...why risk a supposedly beloved pet?? If you can't keep it contained and safe then don't get one surely?

Agreed. I own two cats and they're indoor only for the reasons you've stated. Plus one of mine is on a strict veterinary diet, but he was an indoor cat before that.

 

[paddy555]

I’m sure no one believes me that next doors cat killed my bantams. But it happened. I barely got a sorry.

I have never had poultry taken by cats but, seeing the size of rats that our best cat killed, I can certainly see it is possible. I'm sure a bantam wouldn't put up the fight a large rat would.

He was the best, a total killing machine but he only ever killed rats. They were his passion in life. Mice were beneath him and birds of no interest. The bigger and nastier the rat the better the challenge. He was fed until he just about burst and that made him strong to take them on.

My opinion on cats is never popular but the stupidity of some cat owners astounds me. Cats should be kept indoors or a catio type thing. Indoor cats don't get run over, shot at, attacked by other animals, shit in other people's gardens, kill wildlife of any variety or get lost/stolen. Our local village page is full of lost cats (some of the lost cats are repeat offenders for sodding off), cats invading other people's houses, cats that have been run over etc...why risk a supposedly beloved pet?? If you can't keep it contained and safe then don't get one surely?

That sort of cat could never be contained., He came to us from death row as the rescue had him in a pen and he had already put one of the helpers in A & E. Not all cats are cuddly pets and I definitely wouldn't want them to be. They are there to work and my job is to assist them by providing lots of food.

I think there is a vast difference between town and country cats.

 

[Nasicus]

Sorry to keep going on about Switzerland all the time....
One of the solution to reduce the cat's population here would be to make it obligatory to put a microchip on them.
At the moment, not many people bother, but if they have to by law, it might make people think before they breed or buy cats.
It would be expensive, something like 150.- and people would get fined if they don't.
The vet would have to tell the authorities about any cats not being microchipped, they already do it for dogs.
Hopefully, people will finally be responsible and look after their cats properly.
They are so many people breeding them to make a bit of money on the side and also because kittens are just so cute !!!!!

It actually is the law now to chip cats, with a fine of up to £500 if you don't:

Microchipping cats | What you need to know | Cats Protection

Should I microchip my cat? If you’re wondering whether to book in to get your cat microchipped, take a look at our guide.

www.cats.org.uk

 

[criso]

Such interesting replies - I know the headline was media clickbait but it is an interesting proposal wrt wildlife. I do think that cats are far more impactful than many of us realise - both on wildlife and our neighbours. I also think, although the original proposal isn't likely to go anywhere, that we will increasingly have to make tough choices re our lifestyles and between environmental needs and animal welfare concerns.

It wasn't proposed in the report either.

The recommendations on the 3 main areas which I posted above were

Compulsory microchip; don't make vaccination compulsory but encourage engagement with veterinary services, and they don't support compulsory neutering.

 

[honetpot]

My opinion on cats is never popular but the stupidity of some cat owners astounds me. Cats should be kept indoors or a catio type thing. Indoor cats don't get run over, shot at, attacked by other animals, shit in other people's gardens, kill wildlife of any variety or get lost/stolen. Our local village page is full of lost cats (some of the lost cats are repeat offenders for sodding off), cats invading other people's houses, cats that have been run over etc...why risk a supposedly beloved pet?? If you can't keep it contained and safe then don't get one surely?

I think the cats are never really lost, most have territory and patrol it, especially if its male.

Are cats territorial? How cat territory works

Are cats territorial? Where is a cat’s territory? Does your cat stay in their own territory? Find answers to all of your questions here.

www.petplan.co.uk

If they find a nice place to sleep they will take a break there, someone thinks its lost, feeds it and then it comes back.
My neutered boy will be gone for up to a week, I think he goes to a park home site to get attention, lots of older people at home. One of my cats in the past would lie outside the path on the pavement at school out time so the children would stroke her.
Cats are opportunists the 'problems' are caused when people expect them to behave like a dog, most of them just use humans for comfort, don't expect a relationship, and when they sod off to live with the neighbours people get upset. My daughters cat preferred my neighbour conservatory for a snooze, the neighbour liked having a cat with no responsibility, it came home to be fed, try explaining that to a child.
Cats hate getting dirty, mine would rather soil in the litter tray even though they can go outside, where they tend to poo in the same place, Its easier to create a poo corner than having the bother of chasing them off.
Nuisance wise I think dogs are far worse and I love dogs, because again people do not treat dogs like a pack animal, if a dog is barking all day, and some can go on for hours it's stressful. You keep your distance from a cat and it will not bother you, unlike the untrained dog with the clueless owner with the excuse, 'he is just trying to be friendly' as you are trying to stop it from jumping up or knocking your children over.

 

[cauda equina]

I don't have any direct interaction with cats but they leave their shit in my garden and that bothers me

 

[mustardsmum]

I bet half of those people moaning about cats catching birds don’t give a second thought about the roast chicken they eat for their Sunday lunch. If only they could see the irony…..

I can empathise with those who have cats that go and crap in their gardens but there are things you can do to stop them. My neighbours cat started to come into my house (I love cats, have my own but don't want my neighbours cat in the house as mine are very nervous). Spraying with water a few times stopped his visits backed up with a few scary screams from me.... You can deter them. Also, hedgehog poo is actually quite similar to cat poo, I though it was the neighbour's cat that had been visiting us, pooing on my lawn, til I spotted the hedgehog....

 

[Clodagh]

I bet half of those people moaning about cats catching birds don’t give a second thought about the roast chicken they eat for their Sunday lunch. If only they could see the irony…..

I can empathise with those who have cats that go and crap in their gardens but there are things you can do to stop them. My neighbours cat started to come into my house (I love cats, have my own but don't want my neighbours cat in the house as mine are very nervous). Spraying with water a few times stopped his visits backed up with a few scary screams from me.... You can deter them. Also, hedgehog poo is actually quite similar to cat poo, I though it was the neighbour's cat that had been visiting us, pooing on my lawn, til I spotted the hedgehog....

I really can tell the difference!

 

[AutumnDays]

I bet half of those people moaning about cats catching birds don’t give a second thought about the roast chicken they eat for their Sunday lunch. If only they could see the irony…..

I can empathise with those who have cats that go and crap in their gardens but there are things you can do to stop them. My neighbours cat started to come into my house (I love cats, have my own but don't want my neighbours cat in the house as mine are very nervous). Spraying with water a few times stopped his visits backed up with a few scary screams from me.... You can deter them. Also, hedgehog poo is actually quite similar to cat poo, I though it was the neighbour's cat that had been visiting us, pooing on my lawn, til I spotted the hedgehog....

The thing is that only works if you are there to catch them. All pet owners should keep their pets under control and their care, be it dog, cat, goose, emu, whatever. Same goes for kids too! It should stay on your property, not go onto other people's. If my sheep get out into someone else's garden, I am rightly expected to pay for any damages done. My animals caused it! Do I get the same thing when someone's moggie has come into the garden to dig up seedlings etc so it can defecate on my property? No! Nor do I expect to get it on my hands etc when weeding, why should I, I don't own a bloody cat!

ETA, it's not a hedgehog. Trail cam has caught the culprits, never seen a hedgehog around here anyway!

 

[ecb89]

The thing is that only works if you are there to catch them. All pet owners should keep their pets under control and their care, be it dog, cat, goose, emu, whatever. Same goes for kids too! It should stay on your property, not go onto other people's. If my sheep get out into someone else's garden, I am rightly expected to pay for any damages done. My animals caused it! Do I get the same thing when someone's moggie has come into the garden to dig up seedlings etc so it can defecate on my property? No! Nor do I expect to get it on my hands etc when weeding, why should I, I don't own a bloody cat!

ETA, it's not a hedgehog. Trail cam has caught the culprits, never seen a hedgehog around here anyway!

I think legally (and I may be making this up) you don’t have to keep cats under control. Aren’t they covered by different laws to dogs which is why you have to stop if you hit a dog with a car but not a cat.
I may be writing rubbish but I’m sure they are different.

 

[Exasperated]

I have never had poultry taken by cats but, seeing the size of rats that our best cat killed, I can certainly see it is possible. I'm sure a bantam wouldn't put up the fight a large rat would.

He was the best, a total killing machine but he only ever killed rats. They were his passion in life. Mice were beneath him and birds of no interest. The bigger and nastier the rat the better the challenge. He was fed until he just about burst and that made him strong to take them on.





That sort of cat could never be contained., He came to us from death row as the rescue had him in a pen and he had already put one of the helpers in A & E. Not all cats are cuddly pets and I definitely wouldn't want them to be. They are there to work and my job is to assist them by providing lots of food.

I think there is a vast difference between town and country cats.

Good cats are worth their weight in gold.
Our neighbours had a dedicated mole-fiend: ignored chicks , ducklings, easy pickings - but used to lie in wait, listening intently at the ground, and catch the blighters as they emerged. Daily corpses, best count was FOURTEEN(!); including winter, only stopped by ice and snow; and he completely cleared three hay fields before sadly being run over.
His full brother (still going) specialises in rats, also brings the trophies home, but not a feather been seen.

 

[Shady]

I have always had cats. Some outdoor & some housecats. My outdoor cats didn't really hunt, except the odd mouse. They were too lazy to be bothered most of the time.
Current cat is a house cat, she's too fine & tiny to go outside, also she doesn't like the feeling of grass under her paws, & most importantly, some knob would steal her to breed (she's spayed, but they wouldn't know that).
One of my old outdoor cats was shot with a .22 & also had some kids try to kick the sh1t out of him, only I just happened to be behind them & guldered at them.
Most responses when folk have rodents is to get a cat, I'm not sure where we say a cat is useful or dangerous to wildlife.

Photo of Princess Pixie, just because.

View attachment 154333

That's a really gorgeous Oriental DM. Very elegant . I do love the bi colours