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Originally posted by twhiteheadNo, of course I would not kill a human that had a limp. But then I wouldn't have humans with limps sterilized either.
No. Why would you even think that? Would you kill a human that had a limp? Clearly they are suffering relative to a healthy human being and you would not deliberately cause children to be born with limps, but you wouldn't kill them either.
Originally posted by FMFThat is because we grant humans the right to make their own decisions about causing pain to their children. Or do we? Although most human sterilization projects have not been particularly admirable, there is a good case for expecting people with severe genetic diseases that are likely to be inherited to not have children.
No, of course I would not kill a human that had a limp. But then I wouldn't have humans with limps sterilized either.
Originally posted by twhiteheadWhat is "severe" about the problem that these two stray cats have? They are both happy, playful, affectionate cats, well adapted to interaction with humans, and with healthy appetites ~ and no discernible signs of the suffering you mentioned. You advise sterilization?
That is because we grant humans the right to make their own decisions about causing pain to their children. Or do we? Although most human sterilization projects have not been particularly admirable, there is a good case for expecting people with severe genetic diseases that are likely to be inherited to not have children.
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Originally posted by FMFWell not having seen them, I really don't have a lot to go on except your OP and the thread title where you clearly called it a 'physical disability'.
What is "severe" about the problem that these two stray cats have?
Cats are very active creatures and need to be able to jump and run well.
You advise sterilization?
I advise sterilization for all cats, yes, and more especially so for cats with a genetic disability.
I really don't see why you would even think to argue against it.
Oh, actually you haven't argued against it, you have only acted surprised without giving any reasoning for your objections.
Originally posted by twhiteheadI am not arguing against it. I'm just not going to do it. The OP was a question not a debating topic. 🙂
I advise sterilization for all cats, yes, and more especially so for cats with a genetic disability. I really don't see why you would even think to argue against it.
Originally posted by FMFNo, it is not a good reason. If you have a good reason for not spaying cats, then it would have to be a moral argument based on benefit to the cats. If you keep it to yourself you are potentially causing suffering to other cats -all because you 'don't want to'. That makes you are mean person.
Because I don't want to. That's a "good" reason, I think. 🙂
Originally posted by twhiteheadYou seem to want this to be a debate. I disagree with the automatic sterilization of cats. Keeping the cat population under control can be done by keeping the female cats indoors when they are on heat, or possibly (I've no idea if this works for non-humans) by giving them cat contraceptives, if such things exist.
No, it is not a good reason. If you have a good reason for not spaying cats, then it would have to be a moral argument based on benefit to the cats. If you keep it to yourself you are potentially causing suffering to other cats -all because you 'don't want to'. That makes you are mean person.
Originally posted by DeepThoughtNo. I believe cats should be sterilized. If I am wrong, I want to know why. If I am right, I want FMF to know why so that he sterilizes his cats.
You seem to want this to be a debate.
I disagree with the automatic sterilization of cats. Keeping the cat population under control can be done by keeping the female cats indoors when they are on heat, or possibly (I've no idea if this works for non-humans) by giving them cat contraceptives, if such things exist.
I would be OK with cat contraceptives if they exist. We also talked about stray cats which cannot be kept indoors. Most people who have female cats that are at least sometimes allowed outside are unable to constrain them when they are on heat.
I see no problem with not spaying if you have a good alternative method to stop them breeding. I do have a problem with allowing them to breed while there are many cats out there without homes.
I also see no problem with allowing cats to breed in parts of the world where there isn't a large stray cat population or cats needing homes.
Originally posted by KewpieNot sure how that could be. The distance from Douglas to where I live is 12,324 kms. Ha ha! She has a one inch stub of a tail (like her mother - and, indeed, the majority [?] of cats here). Here mother's limp seems to have mostly cleared up which would suggest that it was an injury as once was the theory. This section from wiki seems to suit her down to the ground:
Back on the original topic: manx cats (which aren't necessarily tailless, it seems) have this way of using the two hind legs together, and it's normal, not a deformity. Is there any chance that the cat you've adopted may have manx ancestry?
"The Manx is considered a social and gregarious cat, and very attached to humans, but also shy of strangers. The breed is said to be highly intelligent, playful, and in its behaviour reminiscent of dogs. For example, like some Maine Coons and a few other breeds, Manx cats often learn to fetch small thrown objects. They may also follow their owners about like puppies, and are believed to be better able to learn simple verbal commands than most cats."