Cats everywhere!

I saw a blackbird callously slaughtering a worm in my garden the other day. It was horrific. I was going to go out and give it a kicking but the murderous bastard flew off.

The number of small birds in my garden has decreased a lot in the last few years. The blame is not aimed at our feral cat who has no interest in birds and spends her time catching rats and mice on the farm. The murderer is Chris Packham. We are now inundated with Jackdaws Crows and Rooks because they are protected. They raid the nests of the smaller birds such as House Martins and Swallows Fewer and fewer of their young are surviving each year. We used to have a few Jackdaws around which was fine but 40 in my garden is ridiculous

We had a plague of mice and rats in our gardens during lockdown summers, and my cat who was an energetic young female then had the life of Riley, she was catching about 5 mice a day, and lugged about five huge dead rats home onto the doormat. 🙄 I realise people don't like these being killed either but if you've ever had mice in the house you'll understand what a misery and worry it is - we had them pre the Verminator and they chewed through a cable between the floorboards. But I'll always be guilty about any bird kills. I try to keep my cat in during daylight hours in June as that's when the fledglings are about, but I wouldn't make a cat an indoor animal, I'd rather not have one.

That may be true but wild animals are part of the natural world and have every right to be outdoors. Cats and dogs (and any other pets) have been bred and introduced by humans. So in my book they have no right to be turned loose on an unsuspecting natural world.
I think the only reason they get away with it is because the look pretty and are cute and furry. If i released my pet python and it laid waste to the neighbour's pets and children, there would be an outcry.

Hugo says, what? Well I'm an indoor cat anyway, so will happily stay away from you. We Cats rule the earth and will not be told what to do.

Golden eagles kill lambs. I've seen crows attacking squirrels. It's not just cats that kill.

It's not though because if none of the domestic cats got fed their tins of fancy food, they wouldn't survive. So, there would be fewer cats killing the wildlife overall.

I go for a daily evening walk around dusk.

Every single day, without fail, there are several cats throughout my route sat on the pavement silently watching me as I walk past. The same cats. Watching me very carefully.

I actually reckon I'm going to be receiving an invitation to Hogwarts any day now.

I miss my cats. They were indoor cats.

When I was breeding I had 14 at one point. Ragdolls, just like little dogs but fluffier.

I dont miss the litter trays.

I might get another in a year or so but will be indoor only.

There is no such thing as too many cats. I would happily live in a world populated only by cats (and their prey).

Bernard’s not having any of that.

He’ll even take out a small dog given the opportunity…

You forgot the most important thing :

I have never heard of anyone dying from a cat attack. Well not a domestic one anyway

Reading through the posts on this thread....

• There are too many cats - well blame the people who allow them to breed. They're only doing what comes naturally.
• Foxes don't kill for fun - they store up food like a larder. If one gets into a coop and kills all the birds, they WILL come back for them all if/when they can. People should make their coops fox proof.
• Birds kill a lot of birds, especially babies in the nest. It's really sad.
• Red Kite's only eat dead things.
• Owls die often due to eating poisoned rodents - done by a human.
• Cats were brought over on ships.
• Pigeons were used til the postal system was set up, then they were classed as vermin. They are actually very intelligent.
• Lots of people are now cat proofing their gardens or building catios as they're not always safe roaming around.
• Thinking about hurting any animal is a red flag for me - even if you don't go through with it.
• Post on Mumsnet about something two-sided = prepare to be roasted!

People who don’t like cats are psychopaths. It’s fact. Based on a movie.

Unless you are a vegan you aren’t entitled to comment on cats hunting - the farming industry does far worse to get that steak on your plate.

Never made it past the 3rd line where you call cats 'things'. Bye.

I don’t mind cats. The 2 next door to us are almost definitely responsible for the rats and mice around here clearing off last couple of years since they arrived.

That said, during the first lockdown quite a few people in our neighbourhood got cats/kittens and crucially didn’t get them neutered and it was carnage. The path behind our house became a dogging hotspot for cats. They were bumming and fighting constantly. That was annoying but down to the owners not the cats themselves.

So what do you do that comes naturally to you through instinct? Just asking because that's what cats do.

Double standards.

It's okay for birds to kill wildlife, but not okay for cats to do the same?

Forgot to mention, cats purrs can help heal broken bones

Thank you! He is. He looks very grumpy here lol. Here’s a cuter one

I agree OP. Cats are the most useless animals. They don’t care about anything including the owners

The only thing my cat gets to hunt

@Heretobenosy he's beautiful

My cat does not like your attitude!