RE: OT:Tonya - killing ferals

[MacKenzie, Kerry N.]

Title: Message

Thanks Tamara.

You've seen and experienced and risked far, far more than I ever have and I'm humbled (as I often am, reading the emails from the wonderful brave members of this group).  That's why I wonder if you would mind spelling it out a bit more >>>> 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.<<<

D'you mean because of overcrowding/confinement/not enough $$ to buy food/toosick and no vet & medication to treat? Or worse reasons that (in my naivete--I'm serious) I haven't thought of yet?

I thought PETA was advocating the killing of ferals, period (as in that despicable Wisconsin proposal).

Maybe they meant in very specific circumstances--I can't find the beginning of this thread?

Thanks for all that you--and everyone on this list--do.

Kerry

 

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of tamara stickler
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 1:02 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: RE: OT:Tonya - killing ferals

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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