Hey. So… i live rural and my cats are pets but also are working cats to keep the rodents out of my house.

Just saw some saltiness going on in the comments and wanted to address it.

Didn’t make this post with the intention of making anyone upset and I apologize to those I did.

      • shalafi@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Neither my previous (dead of cancer) nor current cat exhibit any sort of hunting behavior not even bugs. The previous cat was all of 6lbs. and didn’t have claws when I adopted her. Perhaps I should not have taken in the one-eyed starving cat that came to my door begging for food and a home? Keeping them inside was not an option. (See below.)

        My street is on the edge of town, a rung in a ladder. No traffic but people that live here, and there’s only a few.

        Both were fully vaxxed with a clean bill of health and regular vet visits.

        Now here’s the part where HamSwagwich@showeq.com explains that, none the less, I’m an asshole.

        If these people want to argue the morality of allowing cats outside, let’s hear them defend keeping them inside. Their cats are not behaving normally, but they think it’s cute and funny.

        “LOL, my cat’s so neurotic and weird! I love him so much!”

        Yeah, about that. Cats that allowed outdoors don’t do any of that weird shit. They’re content and calm.

        While we’re at it, I had an outdoor cat 25-years ago. Killing machine, barely ate his cat food. He caught all the mice in my house and hunted the industrial area out back for more rodents. Ya know, the whole reason we domesticated cats in the first place? (Never killed a bird for whatever reason. Dunno.)

        He was another rescue in dire straits. Hook, round and tape worms, fleas and ticks, blacked ears with mites and feline leukemia. Vet told me to kill him. I saved his life instead.

        And it’s not like I have a choice given the giant dog door for the pigs. But remember kids, I’m an immoral asshole, circumstances be damned. Enjoy your nervous, freaky, fucked up indoor cats.

        • Shizrak@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          Yeah, mine is a stray that came from living outdoors and decided to adopt us. Now living the good life with clean blankets and lots of chicken.

          I’ve tried keeping him in, because the overwhelming opinion of people online is that it’s better for your cat and for local wildlife.

          He screamed at the door for roughly 12 hours a day for 6 weeks before I gave up. I’m just not capable of torturing my little furry friend like that. He just wants to sleep in the garden. Occasionally he kills a mouse or a chipmunk, and I thank him for it.

          There are plenty of cats that can be happy indoors. Mine cannot.

      • abbotsbury@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Yikes, you know people that hurt other people often start with animals, right? I feel bad for your pets.

        • Shizrak@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          You can choose to sit idly by while someone wrongs you. Others of us will do something about it. I feel bad for your pets. You won’t protect them.