should cats be under license?

[dude_joel]

originally posted by hix, what does everyone think about wild (and not so wild) cats?

This thread has had it's day, posts are now off-topic and we're talking about cats again.

Subject closed.



Hix

[mebebrian]

YES!!! with midnight raids to make sure they are where they should be and not out murdering natives! All ferrals shot on site!

SAVE OUR NATIVES!

[Jen]

I think anyone wanting to own a pet should have to prove they can take care of it and get a license

[Fuscus]

or http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...17-661,00.html

[spongebob]

Originally Posted by dude_joel

originally posted by hix, what does everyone think about wild (and not so wild) cats?

Bring it on......

Of course it is logical that I need to be licensed and regulated to keep domesticated reptiles, while a cat (or other pest species in the Australian context) can be legally owned by anyone to roam free.

Free world it'snt it?

[craig.a.c]

I can't believe people still debate about this p.o,o.

It all comes down to responsable owners, nothing more nothing less.

[midnightserval]

All kittens should be desexed, and the breeders licenced to sell the kittens. Bump the price to $200+ a cat and then there wont be as many irresponsible cat owners.

[amazonian]

Reptile keepers should have a PHD in biology and only be keeping for study purposes

[daniel1234]

I am not the greatest cat lover especally as I have gotten older and realise what damage they do. That said we have aquired two of them (desexed by our vet) and I tell my girls to wait till my hatchie grows up, my son loves hearing that-they don't. Then I assure them I am just teasing, yeh..just teasing...mmm.

[Miss_Croft]

I am not sure if licensing cats is the answer – cats, dogs and some birds are “accepted” pets. I say “accepted” because RSPCA (One of the largest animal groups in Australia) really ONLY caters for those three animals. As such there are so many out there in Suburb land it is practically impossible to enforce.

I am more for keeping cats indoors/locked up or on leash 24 hours a day. To enforce – set up shelters that take Humanly trapped cats – euthanasia the un-registered (Non-micro tagged/registered) and fine the owner (Starting at a nominal fine of say $20) for letting their registered cat out.

You will find there will be people who will happily humanly trap cats in their back yard any time of the day or night and put them into the scheme. Just look on this board.

I have a question for you all – Are cats native to Australia? Please define native before you answer the question….

[Mulcahy]

Cats Should have to be registed and treated the same as dogs and any ferrals should be put down

[Jozz]

What are the cats like in New York? Are they as much of a problem over there?

I couldn't believe it the other day driving accross the HAY PLAINS, in the middle of absolutley no-where, and theres a big feral cat on the road! I was really blown away. I don't think most people realise how bad a problem they are.

[Mulcahy]

Originally Posted by daniel1234

I am not the greatest cat lover especally as I have gotten older and realise what damage they do. That said we have aquired two of them (desexed by our vet) and I tell my girls to wait till my hatchie grows up, my son loves hearing that-they don't. Then I assure them I am just teasing, yeh..just teasing...mmm.

They would be good for snake food they are mamals just like mice and rats so why not feed them to your snake,

[Miss_Croft]

Originally Posted by Mulcahy

Cats Should have to be registed and treated the same as dogs and any ferrals should be put down

I 100% agree with you.

Back to my question: Are cats native to Australia?

Before you answer define what you mean by native.

[dude_joel]

i was staying on a small property near melbourne a few weeks ago. one morning i looked out the back window and could see 8 cats. i also was walking along a creek, some distance from the house, and finding numerous cats, not even trying to hide themselves.
the problem is there and definitely needs something done about it. suburban trapping would be a great start, with near immediate euthanising, apart from registered cats, where decent fine would be appropriate. $20 dollars means nothing to most people and wouldn't change the situation. maybe $150 fine would be fare, as a first offence penalty.
maybe a license similar to a drivers license would be appropriate. eg, start with 12 points, first offense you loose 2 points, second you loose 4, third you loose 6, and your right to own cats for up to 3 years, etc. this kind of licensing would also work for animal abuse etc.