Killer Cats

Things change over time. Of course, that is no great revelation, but the things that we often overlook in one era, the things that perhaps we accept without apparent question at one point in history, look downright backwards and decadent later on.

We no longer crucify people, for example. For that matter, it is no longer acceptable for grown men to take boys to bed as sexual partners. These are things that were common practices a couple of thousand years ago, but no longer. I think we can agree that these changes are generally for the better, right?

Now, let's fast forward to a more modern time, but not the present age, just yet. Let's examine another form of abuse, although one that we still don't seem to think is as clear cut, although we are slowly, slowly beginning to get there. We are beginning to understand the harm that certain practices are having.

I am referring, specifically, to pesticides in this case. When they were first introduced, they were seen as a miracle product, of sorts. They would kill creatures, animals and insects, that we referred to as "pests". In fact, we generally called the practice of spraying vegetables and fruits with these manufactured chemicals, these pesticides, as "pest control".

Slowly but surely, however, we began to understand that perhaps there was some truth regarding these pesticides that had long remained hidden to us. A truth that was not so much a positive about these pesticides and, in fact, proved a strong argument against them.

Nowadays, people are becoming more health conscious, as well as conscious about the importance of having a sustainable environment. To people like that, who have begun to understand the practice of pesticides that we once accepted without question or even thought, this practice of spraying pesticides is not only harmful to us people, but also to the environment. We understand that these pesticides continue to be sprayed because some people profit greatly from the practice, and that the reason they have not all been abolished, is because those powerful few who profit so much stand in the way. They have legal contracts and a team of excellent lawyers, and they have studies to contradict the ever mounting evidence against pesticides.

So, massive spraying of chemicals remains a common practice, although we increasingly comprehending that it should not be.

It's funny, because I was just having a conversation with my parents about this very topic just yesterday, after a news story came on about it.

We do all of these things that are unnatural, and then act shocked when other kinds of headlines hit our news. The cancer rate has shot up - again. All manners of diseases. Creatures going extinct - particularly bees. the environment is hurting, and we see evidence of this ever more apparent truth all of the time.

But the pieces of the puzzle are coming together. Finally, we are beginning to understand, although many are still in denial, obviously. But those of us who are not, need to do something about this. And we are. The organic foods market is growing, as is awareness. Stop buying products that support pesticides, and hit those responsible where it hurts most: in their wallets.

Makes sense. It's a slow process, and really, just a first step. But we have to do something, we have to start somewhere, right?

Of course, it's not just restricted to pesticides. And here is an article to prove it. Are you ready? the nation of New Zealand is thinking about getting rid of pet cats.

What?! Seriously? Don't these lawmakers have anything better to do with their time? I mean, seriously! These corrupt politicians are trying to bully Scribbles?

Okay, wait! There is a reason, and a serious one at that, that this is suddenly an issue. New facts are being revealed, facts that illuminate a glaring reality about the impact that cats are having on the environment, and it's no joke. In fact, it's deadly serious.

I titled this blog "Killer Cats", and I'd be willing to bet that what first came to mind were the big, wild cats of Africa and Asia, such as tigers and lions and jaguars, oh my! But, in fact, it is about the common "house cat",  only it is about what impact they have when they are not, in fact, "house" cats.

Are you serious? Cats? Now they are an environmental problem? Lighten up, right?

The only thing is, this is serious. It may sound odd and, if you're like me, you probably were not aware of this even being a possibility. It never even entered my mind until fairly recently.

But it's real. And it's a major problem. It may seem like it's something outside of us, just a problem with nature itself. After all, cats are creatures, and not some artificial human construct, right? So, it's not something that humans are responsible for, or can do anything about, right?

Only, it is us. in perhaps an indirect way, and yet, more directly than it may seem on face value. Because we introduced them to this environment, which is not their natural habitat. They are not native to North America, yet, they were brought here, and have done considerable damage. And we continue to be responsible for that damage every time that we open the door to let cute little Snuggles outside for some air, and some adventure with hunting. Those creatures that the cat kills are native to this environment. Cute little Snuggles is not. And therein lies the problem. And, predictably, the problem is us.

Also predictably, the solution lies with us, if we want it. It only remains to be seen whether we will actually take this seriously or not.

If you've never heard of this before, let me briefly try to explain.

Now, I have no problem admitting that I love cats, although it has been quite a few years since I actually had one as a pet.

Back then, there were two things that I thought any and all cat lovers who had one or more cats as pets had to do.

The first was not to declaw them. it was unnatural, I thought.

The second was to allow them to go outside, and be what they are. To get fresh air.

But I was wrong.

The first time that I really gave pause to think about it was only a few years ago, after reading Jonathan Franzen's book, "Freedom". It was in that book that the real extent of the damage that cats do to other creatures was first revealed to me. To be honest, I really never had given it much thought before. I thought, you know, they're cats. That's what cats do, and that how nature works, right?

Here's the thing: cats are not really a part of North American nature going back a long time. They were brought over by Europeans, and since their introduction, they have had a devastating impact on other creatures that are native to North America. And the gradual disappearance of those creatures to our environment here has had a detrimental impact on North American nature in general. Whole species have gone extinct, particularly birds.

It may sound like a joke. But it's no joke. Cats are bad news. Yes, they are very cute and lovable. They grace our Facebook pages, and I'll even admit to having posted some pictures of cats (particularly "Grumpy Cat") myself. I love Tom & Jerry. My family had cats, and I loved those cats. Agreed with my parents (at least at the time) that it would be unfair to deprive them of the great outdoors. When my ex had indoor cats, I lectured her about how unfair it was to the cats to keep them cooped up inside.

But I was wrong. In fact, as a cat owner, it was irresponsible of me to allow cats outside.

Don't get me wrong: I would love to have cats again, someday. I don't have any right now, but I am not opposed to having them again. Thought it would be a good idea for my son to perhaps grow up with a pet, and a cat is as good a pet as any. However, it would indeed be better for the cat to remain an indoor pet, rather than allow it outside, to hunt and kill creatures that are actually native to North America. They just do too much damage to environments that they are not natural to.

Now, there is this article, and it seems like any responsible cat owner should wake up to the reality of what cats are.

That certainly is not to say that you cannot have a cat as a pet. Far from it.

But that does mean that anyone who wants to be a responsible cat owner should comply within certain boundaries.

I can not understand much more why cat owners declaw their cats, and especially why they would not allow those cats to go outside.

You may think that what I am saying is a gross exaggeration. That cats are tiny little creatures that seem harmless (at least to us human beings), and that they are cute and cuddly and all of that. Read this article. Look at the facts. If you have never given thought to this matter before, like I never had prior to reading the Franzen book, then now may be a good time to wake up to the facts. Cats are doing a great deal of damage to our environment, but it is not that simple. Because, you see, in this case, the damage done by cats is really an extension of human irresponsibility. Once again, it is our actions, directly or indirectly, that is impacting the environment, and once again, it is for the worse. We like to think that we can artificially engineer nature, to improve upon this Earth, whether or not we consider it God's creation or not.

But the fact of the matter is that life was going just fine before us. But life is not going on as usual with us now. We are the ones doing the damage, and it is us that needs to change our ways. To adapt.

If you have cats, or are thinking of getting cats, read this article. And whether or not you have cats or not, or ever plan to have cats, read Jonathan Franzen's "Freedom". Believe me, it is about a lot more than cats. it is a brilliantly written book, and most profound and thought-provoking. It can accompany works by Daniel Quinn, only the characters are every day people. People with flaws, and trying to make it through the everyday, just like us. But the overriding issues that the book addresses really are crucial, to the point that I would say they are the issues of our day. There are many facets to these issues, and cats damaging environments foreign to them is just one aspect of it. In fact, there are many elements to it, but it comes down to one overriding issue: our attitudes and actions towards our world, and how we view our place in it.

There is that philosophy among police that not knowing the law is not excuse. We collectively have broken far too many laws regarding this planet, our place in it, and the detrimental impact that we have had, and still have. In most cases, this is not done in malicious spirit, but simply out of ignorance, or an unthinking routine that is tantamount to indifference.

We cannot afford to be indifferent any longer. These issues are too crucial, and we need to wake up to them. Not tomorrow. Now!

Read this article. Read Jonathan Franzen. Read Daniel Quinn. Expose yourself to some different viewpoints. It may be a shock. But it also might just open your eyes to the extent of the damage that we (collectively) are responsible for. Then, make whatever changes that you can, even if they seem small and insignificant. It's time.



"Staggering stats: Cats Kill Billions of Animals a Year"

http://www.livescience.com/26670-cats-kill-billions-animals.html