Cats

At the mercy of human beings

Persecuted and admired – cats who live amongst human beings have the status both of worthless vermin and respected member of the family. Whilst many cats have their freedom, and can enjoy the friendship of human beings as an enrichment of their lives, there are at least as many who are seen as worthless and who are betrayed by the least compassionate of those who “own” them: the cat who is put out on the street when her “owner” is bored of her; the cat who is killed because people don’t spare a thought for him until the day before they move to a new flat where pets aren’t allowed; the cat who’s shot because she hisses at the new puppy; the kittens who are drowned or have their necks broken year after year because of someone who doesn’t want to “waste money” on a cat and prevent the unwanted births by neutering or spaying. In short, cats who die at the hands of human beings because they’re not seen as worth being treated with kindness.

In addition to a large number of homeless cats, feral cats and cats killed by veterinarians, the pet industry also produces pedigree cats. These cats live in cages in order to breed tailor-made special models, and have constant health problems due to their pedigree appearance. They don’t get to live natural lives, but are treated as objects for decoration and exhibition.

Many cat-lovers say that “no-one can own a cat”. But admiration and freedom are not enough for animals that we human beings have taken into our society and whose fate we decide, even if they can be expected to fend for themselves. It should be a matter of course that “no-one should betray a cat.”