I understand where caring, thoughtful people are coming from when they
advocate euthanasia. No-kill shelters are not always the havens we
would hope them to be. I don't agree with keeping an "unadoptable"
animal in a cage with little to no human or animal contact, (not to
mention another more adoptable animal losing the benefit because of the
lack of space). A life sentence of solitary confinement, IMO, is not
kinder than putting that animal down. I've seen first hand how these
poor creatures become stir-crazy, endlessly circling, or self-mutilating
themselves in frustration. In shelters, and even some private rescue
situations, there are times when animals who are physically healthy, but
unadoptable because of true aggressiveness are seemingly better off PTS
rather than trying to place them where they may become brutalized or
inflict injury on others. I too have had to make difficult decisions
about releasing a sick or injured feral cat or having them PTS. It's a
tough call, but it's an individual call. The advocation of wholesale
slaughter is in no way humane or respectful treatment of another species.
Nina
tamara stickler wrote:
Ok, I'm going to play devil's advocate:
I have been active in the animal rescue field for most of my life. I
have walked into alleyways in crack neighborhoods, by myself, to feed
ferals and do rescues. I have spent more money than any "sane" person
should on strays, and even have driven across several states to place
the "unadoptable" because of all I've seen, I HAD TO SEE THE HOME FOR
MYSELF, because I DO know first hand, that there ARE places worse than
death. Situations worse than death. "Loving, forever homes"
sponsored by legit rescues and good people...worse than death.
I'm not advocating the killing of ferals, by any means! But I can
understand the "reality" behind the decision.
Not everyone will go to the end of the world for a cat or dog that
they didn't specifically choose......We (I am including everyone of
you on this list) few are the exception....and as you all
know...there's just not enough of us to go around.
I've worked in shelters. I've volunteered at no-kills. There have
been animals at both where even I have voiced..."Enough." NOT because
they weren't worth the trouble...but because there are so few who
would take the trouble.
As for ferals, we do need to understand that many just don't choose to
deal with humans...either because of past experiences or for their own
reasons. But, they are intelligent, whole beings with their own needs
and desires and should be treated respecting this....
I'm not certain there is an absolute right answer here...I'm not
pretending to know.
Would I actively support the killing of ferals? NO. Is it possible
for me understand why some do?...unfortunately, when you've seen what
I've seen ...yes.
But faced with the matter first hand, I'd still prob. go into the poor
house first...but I won't condemn those who draw the line either.
Tamara
*/"MacKenzie, Kerry N." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>/* wrote:
I agree with Nina.
I think it's conflicting and difficult enough to make a decision
to euthanize when an animal is terminally ill and suffering---one
is torn between desperately not wanting the animal in our care to
suffer any more, and making this momentous and /irreversible
decision on the part of another living and helpless creature./
So, we have absolutely no business taking the perfectly content
lives of animals into our own hands because of what/ may/ happen
to them in the future.
Re PETA, I am very disappointed in that organization--it seems
to have become confused in its old age.
PETA will not be getting $$$ from me.
Kerry
-----Original Message-----
*From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of *Nina
*Sent:* Monday, March 14, 2005 11:59 AM
*To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
*Subject:* Re: OT:Tonya - killing ferals
Tonya,
I can't believe you would advocate killing ferals as a way to help
their plight! Yes, their life is dangerous and they do sometimes
suffer, but that doesn't mean they should be put to death. We
humans are so conditioned to our relative safety that we sometimes
forget how hard life can be on wild animals, on all wild animals.
How many opossums, racoons and squirrels are killed each day on
our highways, or poisoned from insecticides? Would you advocate
systematically terminating any species not under our direct
protection? I maintain a small feral colony and have cats that
are healthy, happy and content in their circumstances. Even if
all we can do is trap, neuter, administer one round of vaccines,
and release them, they are still better off than if we turn our
backs on them all together. Cats that are neutered are much less
likely to fight and spread disease among themselves, if they are
lucky enough to have a caretaker put out food for them they will
live in harmony. They can and do, live, full, rich, happy lives.
How arrogant it is to assume that only when they are in our houses
and under our direct care are they able to be happy to be alive.
Humans are the direct cause of these cats circumstances, the least
we can do is step up and accept the responsibility of helping to
maintain their numbers. Believe me, I understand the discomfort
of thinking about these cats suffering and dieing out there alone,
but killing them before their time is not the answer.
Nina
catatonya wrote:
Unless you can find a VERY safe place for the ferals and be sure
there's someone to take care of them, I tend to agree with PETA.
Even if the ferals have someone 'watching out' for them, I'm sure
many of them are killed by dogs, hit by cars, shot, etc.... I
think it's a very rough life for most ferals and in many cases it
would have been better to put them to sleep. I see their point
of view.
t
*/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/* wrote:
I can not believe PETA!!!!!!! They used to be known as the
most radical animal rights group around (at the time that I
did belong to them). This is welfarism at its very, very
worst. How can a group that says it is an animal rights
group advocate catching and killing animals? Isn't the right
to live out your life without being killed the most basic of
rights? Without that right, what good is any other? They are
insane. I stopped contributing to them years ago based on
other stances they took that I thought were crazy, but their
position on ferals tops the cake.
Michelle
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