Re: [Freeflight] Re: The cat thing again...

[jd021357@a...]

In a message dated 8/31/03 4:28:18 PM US Mountain Standard Time, 
Bart.Van.Hoyweghen@v... writes:

> It is just that I am surprised...
> 
> Bart
> 

Bart -- It would take too much research to compile a list of bird species 
driven into extinction by house cats. The most obvious examples come from 
islands in which cats have exterminated many species of ground dwelling birds (i.e., 
quail-doves), lizards, snakes and who knows what else. 

I agree that there are some parallels with cats/parrots regarding 
responsibility. Personally, I think you are responsible for fruits eaten and damage done 
by your birds on your neighbors property (what happened to the 100 percent 
recall?). Anyone turning an animal loose outside should have control of the 
animal -- and should be prepared to take responsibility for destructive things 
the animal might do. 

You're right that a parrot is made by nature to fly. A house cat is not made 
by nature in any sense of the phrase. House cats are a species created 
entirely by humans. That's why they show inappropriate behavior when outside -- 
like hunting when they've just stuffed themselves on Fancy Feast. There is 
nothing cats were created to do --- except to be friendly to people. They can do 
that best indoors. The killing thing is a left over behavioral trait that our 
artificial selection unfortunately hasn't been able to get rid of. Killing 
and maiming small animals isn't in their destiny or anything like that. 

Jim Dawson