The Forum > General Discussion > Let's start by eliminating pets
Let's start by eliminating pets
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Posted by pelican, Tuesday, 9 June 2009 8:40:13 AM
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Even though I can see the sense in removing pets, I must agree, they are a part of us all, and I'm a repeat offender, in spades!
When I had the kids and lived on a rural acre block,it became a flamin' zoo. Pet goats, birds, rats, mice, fish, dog, cat, snake, and on top of all that, I agisted several stock animals from my kids rural high every school holidays and Christmas. It all cost a small fortune in feed etc, but was worth every penny for my kids sake. I live solo now and only have one pet. Fast little bugger, can do Warp nine, and read minds too. It lives under the couch, and generally goes by the name of.."There it is, kill the (*#&*%#*) thing"! &-) Posted by Maximillion, Tuesday, 9 June 2009 10:29:17 AM
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Eliminate Irresponsible Pet Owners
1. Increase powers of RSPCA 2. Increase fines and gaol sentences for cruelty, negligence. 3. Increase education to people about animals - too much of this 'human separate from natural world' B/S. And watch Bazooka: http://www.scientificamerican.com/video.cfm?id=25690064001 We have domesticated these animals, they love us and we love them - they are our responsibility, not liabilities. Posted by Fractelle, Tuesday, 9 June 2009 12:47:56 PM
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Yesss Fractelle - and love that doggie!
Pelican I am right there with you on that; and with Fractelle's suggestions. Sometimes the sentences handed out for terrible cruelty just floor me. I am all for responsible pet ownership. (Btw I just realized that I'm screwing up a lot of syntax; tenses and such - apologies; I'm tired and rushing to get a few other tasks done.) Posted by Pynchme, Tuesday, 9 June 2009 1:45:34 PM
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Personally, at this stage, I think that eliminating pets is an overkill and they do provide genuine benefits for comforting and protecting their owners. Even a small dog makes an excellent burglar alarm.
Like a previous poster I have also noticed that the smaller the yard the bigger the dog and I have concerns about that. Someone told me that Great Danes or St Bernards (?) don't need to be exercised and that they tend to die young from heart problems. Coincidence? I also have concerns about nocturnal creatures ie. cats being confined at night time for motives not far from paranoia. I agree with Fractelle that RSPCA should have wider powers and cruelty should be taken more seriously. I note that, I have observed a series of cats share a yard with blue tongue lizards, bearded dragons and possums without incident. The cats involved did nevertheless seem to locate every imaginable rat in the neighbourhood in spite of being well fed. However I am aware that some cats are less well behaved. From anecdotal accounts and observation larger cats eg. Norwegian Forest Cats seem to emulate dogs more in terms of destruction. I don't share the catastrophic view of domestic pets with regard to native wildlife that some propogate. Cats are believed to have come here with the Dutch explorers (based on indigenous witness to their preceding white colonisation) and Dingoes are essentially dogs who are believed to have been here even longer. In both cases the wild examples eg. feral cats and dingoes would presumably be much more likely to have an effect and they have both been a part of the ecosystem for an awful long time. If native animals are increasingly herded into tiny habitats and left vulnerable to dogs that is a wider issue than dog ownership. Posted by mjpb, Tuesday, 9 June 2009 1:47:40 PM
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I can't remember ever not having a dog.
When I was 11, I rather surprised my parents by comming home on a horse, I had bought with my paper boy earnings. We only had half an acre, but I kept the horse. When I had an formula 2 Brabham, the insurance company wanted a kings ransom to cover it, & its gear in the garage. A couple of great danes, were much cheeper, & better insurance. No one ever came into the yard without asking. Even now, with some what smaller dogs, I still sometimes get a phone call from the front gate, asking if it's OK to come in. My kids all had horses, dogs, cats, mice, fish, chooks & even lizards. I believe a kid training a pet, is about the best system for training a kid in self discipline that you will ever find. If there is any culling to be done, I can think of much better places to start than with pet dogs. Posted by Hasbeen, Tuesday, 9 June 2009 1:56:14 PM
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No-one could disagree with you regarding the benefits of pet ownership - we have pets too but endeavour to always be responsible pet owners.
I think the call is for more responsible pet owners who don't just get a pet to take it out to play when they feel like it, but really include the pet as part of the family with proper care and attention. Too many people are working long hours, with smaller back yards leaving dogs (in particular) to live very solitary and lonely lives. Dogs are pack animals and need company.
Pets do wonders for the elderly and the disabled in terms of companionship. Kids also learn about responsibility through having to care for their pets.
When I was growing up pets never seemed a problem even though many roamed the streets and certainly the issue was not as emotional as it appears to be nowadays. Maybe there are just too many people packed into a smaller space. Our backyard used to be 1/4 acre block which would be considered huge these days.