To the editor,
Re: If your cat wants to leave the house, it might not like you, Letters, Feb. 3.
Cats want to go outside for the same reason you do: to lie in the sun, explore and maybe meet their buddies.
Sure they are safer indoors; if we humans never went outside that may also be true for us, but we are discovering that a confined life is not much fun. Sadly, my cat has killed a few birds but she has also killed more rats and mice because they are easier. Right now we are supposedly in a rat epidemic, rats are chewing through soy-lined wires in cars putting you in danger, invading weak spots in your house exterior, chomping through your compost and, yes, killing baby birds. Without cats more people are going to resort to poison that then ends up killing owls and hawks and other predatory birds.
I too like to garden, welcome my neighbours’ cats who like to check out my catnip patch and enjoy seeing them lazing around in sunny spots. I wash everything I harvest and while I don’t think I’ve ever put my hand in cat poo, what about the rat poo, slugs, snail trails, caterpillars, spiders and all the other creepy crawlies that potentially threaten our health? We are getting far too paranoid about every little potential danger; don’t forget dirt is supposed to boost your immune system.
If we are going to maintain this silly cat bylaw then it should be grandfathered to allow all those cats who are used to being out to continue, especially now when many people are isolated and rely even more on having a contented indoor/outdoor cat around.
Liz Fox, Lantzville
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