What affects us affects cats
Michael BroadWhy Misplaced Expectations Can Turn a Dream into a Burden Buying a puppy (it can be similar when adopting a young kitten) is often imagined as the start of a joyful, heart-warming journey. We picture soft fur, clumsy paws, and Instagram-worthy moments. But for many new owners, the reality comes as a shock. A …
For many years, I and others, have referred to research and a nice archaeological photograph from the island of Cyprus (see below) which established – it was thought -that the North African wildcat was first domesticated about 9,500 years ago. New research referred to in a Times article (‘Tiddles turned up 4,000 years later …
A new genomic study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge has revealed a remarkable overlap between the genes that influence human temperament and those that shape the personalities of our pets — in this case, golden retrievers. Analysing the DNA of around 1,300 dogs, the scientists identified genetic variants that correlate with …
Why Their First-Hand Reporting Matters — Two respected Times reporters (Catherine Philp and Jack Hill – photographer) have, based on first hand observations seen a slackening of the enforcement of the strange (to Westerners) ban on walking dogs in Iran. Here is a report on that development which is in parallel with a loosening …
New Zealand’s drive to eliminate feral cats under the Predator Free 2050 initiative has captured headlines for its ambition: protect native wildlife from a relentless predator. Conservation authorities describe feral cats as an invasive species and “stone-cold killers,” responsible for the decline of birds, reptiles, and insects. Proposed methods include aerially dropped poisoned baits, kill traps, …
A dog obsessed with a ball, barking incessantly until someone throws it, might seem like a nuisance. But when such behaviour is labelled a symptom of anxiety and treated with medication, it reveals something deeper — not about the dog, but about us. In one recent case, a dog was diagnosed as anxious because …
Here are my thoughts in the form of a letter to the editor of The Times where today there is an article on cloning pets. I have always felt strongly that cloning pets is an act of arrogant self-indulgence with little concern for animal welfare. Cloning Pets: An Act Against Nature and Compassion Sir, …
A beloved neighbourhood cat named KitKat, affectionately known by locals as the “Mayor of 16th Street,” was struck and killed by a Waymo self-driving car in San Francisco’s Mission District last week — igniting grief, anger, and a new wave of debate over the safety and accountability of autonomous vehicles. According to local reports, …
