This topic always brings up a heated discussion...


First thing:
Yes, I fully believe ferals ARE the number two cause of native wildlife population reductions. Although technically they are still human stupidity at work.

And I fully believe Cats are among the highest if not THE highest feral.

And I agree that the populations MUST be reduced.
Humans caused quite a bit of damage up here in New England. Deer no longer have a natural predator and NEED hunters to keep populations down. There was one year back in the 20's (I think) where they outlawed hunting and there was literally HERDS of HUNDREDS of deer all over the place. And those are native species we need to kill.
ANY feral animal should DEFINITELY be removed if at all possible.



Second thing:
There is definitely a "Fuzzy and cuddly" mentality at work here.

I admit...I like cats. I do not own any. And I feel VERY strongly about people letting them out. I yell at my own parents all the time because they let on of their cats out. Problem is, the stupid thing usually hunts for fun. I can ALMOST understand its need to EAT, but it just kills things and leaves the bodies lying around. Drives me bonkers.

But cats have been around for thousands of years. They are semi-domesticated, but have been considered a PET for centuries. Snakes and other reptiles, unfortunately, have not.
Cats commonly show affection. Reptiles do not (debatable to some).



Now I can also say that I get mad as hell at people killing other people's PETS. Many of you have already said they don't shoot the ones with collars...that I can respect.

Yes they should not be allowed to roam in the first place, but its a loved pet period.
I know I would be mad as hell if someone killed one of my escaped snakes or my tortoise. Hell, I cried when I lost my first tort. Its a pet, a friend. It becomes part of your life...some people may laugh, but I consider ALL my animals as my children.


*I think THIS is the part that most of society gets upset over. They see someone shooting a cat and they immediately think it was a pet.*


The key here is education. So few people understand the problems with pet animals allowed to run free.



Thirdly:
One more problem to consider. Killing the animals may just make us look like the bad guys.
"Oh, he's killing PETS! He keeps REPTILES!"

Its not gonna help our cause. Shooting the "warm and cuddlies" might just make us look "slimy and cold-blooded"...
Know what I mean?

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