Man wants to rid New Zealand of 'sadistic' cats From:

[grandmoon]

A NEW Zealand economist has called on his fellow Kiwis to rid the island nation of all its cats.

Economist and philanthropist Gareth Morgan is calling for the eradication of pet cats and has launched a website, Cats to Go, where he urges Kiwis to make their current cat their last.

The website says: "That little ball of fluff you own is a natural born killer."

It highlights the devastating environmental impact of our furry feline friends.

"Every year cats in New Zealand destroy our native wildlife. The fact is that cats have to go if we really care about our environment."

The website features an edited image of a kitten with red eyes and devils horns, while a YouTube video includes the statement "cats are the only true sadists of the animal world".

"We don't suggest you knock your favourite furry friend on the head. We do suggest you think about the consequences on the bird population of domestic cats, and make this cat your last," the website says.

Forest and Bird advocacy manager Kevin Hackwell says Mr Morgan is raising an important issue.

"They do kill an awful lot of native species: native birds, skinks, geckos, wetas," he told AAP.

"If people want to have native birds and other native wildlife in their gardens and in their cities, then they need to be responsible in their cat ownership."

Mr Hackwell says cat owners should make sure their pet has been neutered and if it can't be kept inside, they should consider getting a bell.

[lionrose.7]

Perhaps we should get rid of dogs as well, I have seen dogs kill Kiwi's and other wild life.

After that we should get rid of all humans that do the most damage.

[lakeland27]

he makes a valid point, but probably too late.

[icyfroth]

Cats are devastating to wildlife, as are dogs. 

Much as I love cats, there definitely should be restrictions to breeding them. Dogs too. All introduced species of domestic animals gone feral are detrimental to the environment in one way or another. Pigs, goats, camels, horses, rabbits, fox, cattle, sheep. etc.

[patchoo78]

What about other predatory birds that kill smaller birds? Should we kill all of those as well?

Despite what the man says, cats are not the only sadistic animal.. Far from it. And it's a bit anthropomorphic to call Cats sadistic, that would imply that they know what they're doing is torture; they don't. Cats and dogs operate on instinct and cats in particular are curious.. 

That said, I keep mine inside

[azureline**]

Cats should not be allowed to roam wherever they please...imo. For their own safety as well as wildlife.

[sprinklespowerpuff]

I agree Azure. There is an enclosure system you can have erected for your cat called "Catmax" I believe. It's attached to your house but opens out to your backyard and the cat can go in and out as it chooses. This system allows the cat some freedom to smell the outside world, see the birds etc.  All cats should be confined at night when they wander and look for prey the most. I remember a while back when I used to go for a walk around my neighbourhood in the evening seeing a cat flinging 2 fledging birds out of a tree onto the road. I had startled it and it ran off. Both birds were dead. Obviously it had clawed them out of their nest. Most upsetting. More needs to be done to limit the harm they do.

[bright.ton42]

Those enclosure systems are great, but people in flats can't have them . 

I think in our outer suburbs (Melb) there are curfews for cats being made

to stay indoors when dark though.  

I agree with lionrose that out of all wildlife humans are the worst predators.   . 

[sprinklespowerpuff]

Yes of course Bright, people renting and those who reside in flats, units etc can't have the enclosures. A night curfew for all cats wherever the owners live would help but is it enforceable? How do the authorities work out who owns the night-wandering feline? I live in Brisbane, no curfew here unfortunately.

[vintage-star]

The problem with this sort of propaganda is that some individuals get the idea that it is open season on cats!!.....the cats become victims!!......

Everyone knows that cats are a danger to wildlife, responsible cat ownership, across the board is never going to happen......the kitty has bolted!!........