[continued]

Then there's the chooks, who convert table scraps into eggs in exchange for some additional feed and shelter. They wander around freely during the day, but are happily confined at night to protect them from feral cats and the odd fox, who otherwise do pretty well on the rabbits.

On the other hand, in addition to the rabbits, there are other animals like posssums, mice and such who seem to do anything to try and move in with us. I trap and relocate the possums, but I'm afraid the mice come to a less pleasant end. Snakes are encouraged to move away from the immediate vicinity of the house and its environs.

And of course there are the myriad wild birds, roos, wallabies, amphibians and reptiles who share the place with us, or just stop by for a while on their travels.

I think the correct term for our domestic animals is 'chattels'. That is, they are indeed a form of property, but our relationship with them is not one of master and slave. The technical term for that relationship is, I believe, 'husbandry' - but I won't delve into the etymology of that role at this point!

The point is that I don't think that my humanity is diminished by my possession of these animals - rather, it is enhanced. While they are not of equal status to the human members of my household, they all lead very pleasant - indeed enviable - lives. However, I agree that there are many people who do not treat their pets well, or keep them in entirely inappropriate places.

Humans and domestic animals have co-evolved over millennia. I think that people will always be inclined to have pets, but it is a measure of their humanity how they treat and regard them.

Hey Pericles

That was then and this is now.

We require solutions man, for the 21st Century and immediately, not 20 or 30 years hence.

We olden and modern day "slave owners" have allowed the animal population to breed out of control (myself excluded.)

Bit like humans breeding out of control eh?

And we continue to purchase the "status symbol" pedigree whilst thousands of pound animals are abandoned and destroyed each year.

One of my friends carries her shitzu (complete with pink bow) around in a designer label bag!

So you are stating that one should not interfere when witnessing an animal being ill-treated?

And since we self-indulgent humans are all responsible for this tragedy, are you suggesting that we set all pets free to become uncontrollable, starving feral animals to join their brothers which we've already dumped in the bush?

And should all neglected pets be seized and euthanased - pronto?

sheesh! Morgan we gotta stop meeting(of minds) like this.You have cured me of my tendencies to agree with Pericles. Yours is a more realistic take on our relationship with our pets.

Elsewhere I find agreement breaking out all over the place. Yours was a brilliant retort on Belly's "Evil' thread of those confused PALE people, and I'll sleep content knowing that Santa disapproves of child beating.

The best for you and yours you old belligerent, and may your amiable wisdom continue to delight us.

It's encouraging that you are already thinking towards a solution, dickie.

>>are you suggesting that we set all pets free to become uncontrollable, starving feral animals to join their brothers which we've already dumped in the bush? And should all neglected pets be seized and euthanased - pronto?<<

The obvious and humane approach is also the most practical. By declaring the ownership of new pets illegal, you instantly discourage the breeding of such animals. There will obviously be a dissident rump who continue the practice illegally for a while, there always is, but they will gradually discover that animals are a little more conspicuous than most other home-grown illegal activities.

Those who already own pets will of course be allowed to keep them, it would be inhumane to take any other action. The pet "industry" would be charged with the responsibility for collecting and housing strays until such time as there are none left - by which time the industry participants will have had enough time to find useful alternative employment. As prison wardens, perhaps, or auditors.

No need for mass killings, or releasing them into the wild. Just a gradual and intelligent elimination of the problem.

CJ's post gives further food for thought. Is this an exclusively urban issue? Given that the nature of man's relationship with the animal kingdom is fundamentally different away from the city (I've never met a vegetarian farmer, for example) would it make sense to ban pets only from built-up areas?

Incidentally, dickie, I found this juxtaposition of ideas in your post quite interesting:

>>One of my friends carries her shitzu (complete with pink bow) around in a designer label bag!
So you are stating that one should not interfere when witnessing an animal being ill-treated?<<

Do you consider the shitzu to be ill-treated? Do you support your friend's right to keep an animal in that fashion?

And did you "interfere"?

Morgan
Commencing from [As we have small acerage,] of your post is something would be welcome on RSPCA QLD web page. It was a good read and we toughly enjoyed it. Although I am almost sure it wasn’t designed with that intention. Aside if you wouldn’t mind we would like forward your post to our CEO for RSPCA QLD web page.
Goes to say we would not do that “without” your consent.

-palimpsest,

Ah- Someone with a sense of humor at last! For you=

The farmers daughter was young, attractive and a pretty good hand with the cattle. As it turned out, her father had a couple of bricklayers from the city to build a new shearers hut and, like a lot of city people, they thought that all country people were dim- witted.On their third morning there, they spied the young girl and thought they`d have a bit of a joke.
`Hey Miss! Do you know if anyone in the area has a rooster that lays eggs?
The girl looked over at the two men and smiled.
`No, sorry, I wouldn’t have a clue about that, but Father to me at breakfast that he brought two galahs
From the city who thought they could lay bricks.

Cuphandle said
Access to Government Veterinary Services should be readily available to some animal owners (]

Me thinks your proposal has some legs. Perhaps you could request RSPCA support such a suggestion or similar. Thanks for your thoughts.

Perciles
I think Dickie is more concerned about this type of cruelty than pampered pooches.
http://www.choosecrueltyfree.org.au/fur.html
http://www.liveexportshame.com/worlds_best_practice.htm
http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,22989858-3462,00.html

Dogs have played a special role in Australian tradition. In a land where workers spent endless days, often weeks shearing riding the bullock drays through forrest the dogs been a true mate. It has also been an equal working partner and friend. All sizes with names such as Bluey, Piddling Pete or Red. They talk if you listen and they often perform extraordinary deeds of kindness giving their own lives to save their best mate.

Pericles,do you seriously believe that anything alive, and by human hands constrained and manipulated, as with pets,circus animals and for good measure GE animals and other living forms, need to be set free? Ah you believe in the Ubermensch principal.If it is freedom you are chasing look within first.Or maybe you follow R.Steiner and not know how to educate people first, before they put their hands on manipulating all life forms, that's what's needed in this twisted world of ours.How about taking care of other peoples mistakes towards animals and other natural living forms the best you can and not hide your compassion towards caring people who can only do their best to honor life all around us like so many in this forum. May you freedom reach you in 2008!