THE NINE DEADLY SINS
It's often said that cats have nine lives, but with the way many people choose to treat cats, sometimes even nine lives are not enough. The following nine sins, when perpetrated by humans, can be especially deadly to feline companions.
Abuse
Causing intentional physical or psychological pain to a cat, or to any living thing for that matter, is often a sign of severe emotional problems. If you feel like hurting another creature in an attempt to alleviate your own pain, perhaps you should consider making an appointment with a counselor or psychiatrist instead.
Neglect
Being a cat guardian is a big responsibility. Cats are domesticated animals that rely entirely on their human caregivers for all of their needs. They need food, water, a clean litterbox, regular veterinary care, enrichment and lots of love. It is not acceptable to ignore a cat for whom you are responsible or to give them less than adequate care. The cat has no choice in the matter, but you do. If you cannot meet a cat's needs, you need to either take steps to correct that problem or find a new home for the cat in which he or she will be properly cared for.
Breeding
There are millions of homeless cats in the United States. Shelters are filled to bursting and cats are being euthanized simply because there are not enough homes to take them all. Whether you are intentionally breeding cats to sell the kittens, or unintentionally breeding cats by not getting them spayed or neutered, you are partly responsible for this problem. Do the right thing and have all of your companion animals spayed or neutered.
Buying
As mentioned above, there are millions of homeless cats in the United States. Every day cats in shelters are euthanized because no one has adopted them. Meanwhile, people out to make a buck are adding to the problem by breeding cats and selling the kittens to pet stores. If you buy a cat from a breeder or pet store you are helping to ensure that this cycle of overpopulation and euthanasia continues by encouraging the breeders to keep doing what they are doing. Responsible pet stores have begun adopting shelter cats out of their stores instead of selling animals supplied by breeders. This is the type of buisness decision you should be encouraging.
Hoarding
Hoarding is the accumulation of more animals than you can adequately care for given your financial and living situation. Chances are, you have met a cat hoarder at some point in your life. Usually they are affectionately referred to as "crazy cat ladies" or some other seemingly harmless nickname. These people are no laughing matter, especially not to the cats that are suffering in their homes. Hoarding is a mental illness, and those who exhibit hoarding tendencies need help. More importantly, in the case of those who hoard animals, the animals need help. Don't hesitate to contact animal control if you believe someone is hoarding cats (or dogs, or hamsters, or any animal). Hoarding leads to dangerous, unhealthy conditions for both the humans and animals involved. You will be doing both a favor by alerting the authorities. And if you suspect you may be a hoarder, you probably are. Seek help immediately.
Endangerment
One of the greatest responsibilities of being a cat guardian is looking out for the animal's safety. A cat is like a young child when it comes to his or her perception of danger in the world. They don't know that dogs, coyotes, cars, eagles, mean people, poison, diseases and a million other dangers are waiting for them outside the confines of their house or secure enclosure. They rely entirely on their guardians to decide where they can safely live and play. It is a failure on the guardian's part to let a cat (or young child) wander free without safe boundaries. If anything bad happens to the cat it is entirely the guardian's fault (not the dog's, or car driver's, or coyote's, etc. that injure or kill the cat) Knowingly exposing a cat for whom you are responsible to the dangers of a world without walls is completely unnecessary and completely irresponsible. It will also likely lead to emotional pain for you, and physical pain and/or death for your cat. Do not endanger your cat. Keep him or her safely contained.
Abandonment
Sometimes things don't work out quite the way we planned when we are caring for a companion animal. Perhaps we lose our job or our home, or maybe the animal's personality and our own just aren't that compatible. Whatever the case, simply disposing of an animal by dumping it out into the world is not an acceptable course of action. If you must give up a companion animal, find it a new home, take it to a shelter, or take other appropriate action to ensure that he or she will be properly looked after. Humans have influenced the evolution of house cats in such a way that they rely on us to take care of them. It is unconscionable to abandon a cat to the wilds and make it fend for itself. Feral cats too deserve better than the "abandonment plus food bowl" treatement that they so often receive. If you trap a feral cat, give them the protection of a safe enclosure or the dignity of a humane release from suffering through euthanasia. Do not banish house cats to the wilderness. It is cruel and cowardly.
Apathy
Whether you are a "cat person" or not, chances are some aspect of the cat overpopulation problem affects your life. Undoubtedly there are owned, stray or feral cats having an impact on or being impacted by things on your property. It is very likely that your taxes are paying for animal control and sheltering services. You may have friends that are cat guardians who may or may not be taking proper care of their charges. Whatever your situation, if you are apathetic about the cat situation in your community then you are part of the problem. Educate yourself, and then educate those with whom you come into contact about spaying/neutering and responsible cat guardianship. If you can help make the world a better, safer place for the animals that depend on us, you are helping to make the world a better place overall.
Ignorance
You've undoubtedly heard the phrase, "Ignorance is bliss...", but your ignorance does not create bliss for those around you. Your companion animals count on you to be aware of what is best for their health, emotional well being and safety. If you are ignorant of the dangers that exist to cats in the world, then your ignorance may lead to pain and suffering for the animal that is depending on you. Educate yourself on your cat's physical, nutritional and behavioral needs so you can make informed decisions about what is best for your animal. Research the dangers that exist both inside and outside of your home and take the necessary steps to protect your cat and enrich their lives. The better you know your companion's needs, the closer you will feel to them, and the more their needs are being met, the more you will get to experience their True Spirit.
