XPost: alt.cats 
 From: mmontcha@OregonVOS.net 
  
 On Sat, 20 Sep 2003, Agua Girl wrote: 
 |"Matthew Montchalin"  wrote in message 
 |news:Pine.LNX.4.44.0309200005570.20224-100000@lab.oregonvos.net... 
 |> On Thu, 18 Sep 2003, Agua Girl wrote: 
 |> |> Also, if the anti-breeder folks would allow the breeders to 
 participate 
 |> |> on the rec.pets.cats* groups without being constantly harassed, the 
 |> |> knowledge most breeders have about cat care is enormously beneficial. 
 |> |> But if it takes a new group to bring the breeders back to Usenet, I'm 
 |> |> all for it. 
 |> | 
 |> |I am not really anti-breeder.  If EVERYONE altered their cats we would 
 |> |soon be out of cats.  I bought a dog from a breeder (mostly because 
 |> |it was a gift and I was fulfilling someone elses wishes) and I know 
 |> |that "pure breds" do have their place.  I just wish more people would 
 |> |spay/neuter and fewer would breed.  There are so many unwanted cats 
 |> |being killed every day that it just breaks my heart to see people 
 |> |purposely bringing more into the world. 
  
 I understand the feeling. 
  
 |> |Maybe the breeders should make some sort of a pact with the rescue 
 |> |groups? 
  
 There are many rural areas that do not have rescue groups, nor do they 
 have the money at their disposal that urban areas do. 
  
 |> |For every life you bring into the world you rescue two?  Or for every 
 |> |newborn you don't spay because it is a "pure bred" you pay for two 
 |> |ferals or rescues to be altered?  I guess the point is...if all 
 |> |breeders helped take some responsibility for the overpopulation than 
 |> |maybe some changes can come about.  Just my .02 
 |> 
 |> It's mostly overpopulated in *urban* areas, so one of your MANY solutions 
 |> is to move *out* of the Big City, and go to rural America, where there 
 |> simply aren't as many cats. 
 | 
 |Tell me how that solves anything?  The cats are still there, unwanted, 
 being 
 |put to death. 
  
 Equally horrifying is the spectre of de-clawed cats, deprived of the 
 ability to defend themselves.  When cats fight to establish their 
 territories, the de-clawed cats are brought to an early end. 
  
 |Is this the old out of sight out of mind idea?  If I can't see the 
 |problem then it doesn't exist?  The only solution to overpopulation 
 |is to stem the tide.  The only way that will happen is if everyone takes 
 |responsibility for their own animals AND makes their own contribution 
 |to the homeless and feral animals. 
  
 It is hard to exercise control over territories that are remote from 
 where you live. 
  
 |My cat has been spayed and I contributed through time and money to the 
 |altering of 5 strays (which were then placed in homes).  That's my 
 |contribution this year.  I will try and do the same every year....and 
 |it still won't be much considering the problem.  This is a drop in the 
 |bucket to what most rescuers (and probably half the people on this list) 
 |do every year.  Can you imagine how quickly we could make a change if 
 |everyone including the breeders did something? 
  
 Cats should be bred for strength, and resistance to germs. 
  
 |So...what will you do?  :-) 
  
 I haven't sufficient money to embark on a breeding program that will 
 achieve what needs to be done. 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)