Editor:
I read with particular interest last week's letters regarding cats, and the suggestion that they should be forced to stay inside. I don't believe allowing a cat the freedom to roam outside is the problem. I think the problem is that people insist on trying to domesticate wild animals. Last year our lovely senior cat was attacked by a raccoon on our second floor balcony, where she was sleeping. Fortunately my husband heard her screams before the raccoon was able to do much damage. Why are raccoons around mid-afternoon attacking pets in a fenced yard? Because one of the neighbours insists on feeding them.
Our neighbourhood is overrun by a family of raccoons. Besides hurting pets, they dig up tulips and newly planted pots, and leave their feces lying everywhere (which can pass on a disease to small children). I wish people would understand that feeding birds, squirrels and raccoons not only attracts mice and rats, but also bears. If people used common sense and allowed wild animals to remain wild, we probably wouldn't have as much of a problem with our domestic animals.
Do cats catch birds? Unfortunately, yes. They are hunters and even our senior cat would occasionally catch a bird. To solve the problem, we put a bell on her collar. Our yard is fenced to deter wildlife. Unfortunately, it doesn't deter foolishness in people.
This is an excerpt from the SPCA bulletin Don't Feed the Animals: "When you attract 'harmless' wildlife, you also encourage their larger predators, and animals such as rats. Give some thought to what you are doing. Feeding wildlife encourages familiarity with humans, which leads to human-wildlife conflicts. For their own health and safety as well as our own, wildlife need to remain wild!
"When animals come to rely on human food instead of their natural diet, their health suffers. Growth and development can be seriously disrupted if baby animals are fed the wrong foods. When wild animals are attracted to populated areas by food, they may become habituated and lose their healthy fear of people. This poses risks to both humans and wildlife (as well as pets)."
I can commiserate with Pat for feeling she has to keep her cat inside. I feel this wouldn't be necessary if people listened to the SPCA.
Judy Heyer, Sechelt
