Irresponsible breeding article.

[borderdawn]

I KNOW that many will disagree with the strongness of my article, however its something that I feel very strongly about and I am not going to make excues for saying exactly what I believe to be true. I hope that at least one person will take note and take a bit more care over their Cat, hoping that one moggy litter, irresponsibly bred, wont find themselves in the hands of rescue, or ill because of it.

There is also an article on "mammary cancer" in Cats.

My web addy is in my profile, nobody has to look, I was asked to mention it once it was done and now it is.

Thanks for reading.

[yola]

Thank you Dawn, that is an excellently written article which highlights the tragedy faced by wanted AND unwanted pets it's today's supposedly caring world.

[borderdawn]

Thank you Yola.
Dawn.

[Soupie]

I think the article could have been written more objectively and factually but it does get across the seriousness of the problem well.

One point you raise I would like to comment on which is not aimed at you but something I would like to put out there for consideration.

"In 2004, the RSPCA put to sleep 12598 Cats or kittens"

I have issues with the fact the RSPCA lament people producing kittens contributing to the number of animals which are put down but stay completely quiet about the fact that their rehoming policies actually contribute to a considerable proportion of animals being put down also.

I can offer a home for a house cat and went offering a home for up to two cats. I was told by them that they will not rehome under any circumstances to someone without a garden at all. However my flat is large and has lots more space than the pens the cats are confined to in the RSPCA. I went specifically offering a home to a cat which had been there six months - they refused to consider me and that animal has since been put down. I find this type of attitude that they will put down rather than consider someone not in their "ideal" profile at odds with their generally publicised objective.

Surely a caring home with some limitations is better than death?

[borderdawn]

Thank you Soupie, I welcome all comments

If you can prove the RSPCA subsequently put to sleep that Cat you speak of, I would take it to the press to highlight it. I know some rehoming policies are far from perfect, but fact remains the main reason ANY rescue exists is because people breed animals and they are not cared for, with Cats its 100 X more likely for that to involve "accidental" litters.

I was turned down by one Cat rescue because I had "terriers" and they killed Cats their policy was not to home with this type of dog, I expect the RSPCA had similar policies with being allowed outside, or maybe it was one of those Cats that MUST have outside access, the Cat I lost on the road was from an irresponsibly bred "accidental" litter, the tom cat was feral, and there was not a chance in hell I could keep "Darcy" in.
Dawn.

[babycakes]

The RSPCA refused me owning a cat as I live on a main road even though I informed them that he would be a 'house cat' unless harnessed outdoors under supervision. I have strong views about wandering cats and would not allow my cat out unless on a leash. Still they refused, I do agree their policies need to be reviewed

[smudgley]

Dawn, I've skimmed through your article but I will have a good read of it properly when I get 5 mins.

I do however think that rescues who refuse to rehome through silly reasons, ie beacuse they don't want someone to have an indoor cat or because someone has dogs, or children is stupid & what happens to these people? They then go out & get a kitten from somewhere else. So the rescue might as well have let them have one in the first place.

I feel very strongly about the fact that silly reasons & excuses are used for people not to rehome a cat. Sometimes it's just a lack of understanding from the rescue people, ie some cat rescues are run by fantastic cat people, but mention the word dog & they run a mile!

just to add, you all know what I do in my spare time & I have never refused to home a cat with someone because they have animals, children, or any other reason for that matter.

If people are genuine cat lovers - who can offer a good stable home, that's fine by me.

oh & I know of one large cat charity that will soon become much more flexible nationally reagrding who they rehome to... trust me!

[Donna]

I think the article is good Dawn.

It makes sense but then spaying and neutering has always made sense to me. I dont know if you (or anyone else) will ever get through to the people you are aiming it at.

I didnt know about cancer in female cats if left unspayed so have learnt something new today

[smudgley]

Have just read the article properly, it's great Dawn & well done for trying to raise awareness, but as Donna said it's not an easy task getting the message to the right people.

[borderdawn]

Thanks.

I quite agree with you about the rehoming practices Smudgley, as I said to you I was refused because of my dogs, however another branch of the same rescue came and said no problem!
Dawn.