Discussion: Cat-hating trolls and animal advocates who hold a grudge

There’s a situation taking place in the animal advocacy community that has led me to the decision not to write about cats who have already been rescued who need help with funding for medical care. It’s not something I take lightly but with great grief as it’s not only myself being attacked in comments, it’s the person who actually stepped up to save a cat.

Several of my recent articles have received comments that don’t make it past moderation due to the fact it could give the commenter “free reign” to spread their hate.

I’ve come to learn there are two types of haters. The problem has grown to such proportion many animal advocates have removed themselves from the Facebook community. Some have unfriended everyone on their list involved in animal rescue.

I can divide these people into two very distinct groups.

The cat hating troll

This person hates cats (especially feral cats) and leaves long comments using words like “cat licker” and “vermin.” They preach about cats killing birds to the point birds are going extinct. They don’t take into account that community progress is a lot more deadly than a cat could ever be blamed for. Forests are being destroyed and tall buildings being built, which cats literally run into and are killed.

The cat trolls also start Facebook events to infuriate people. Remember the Jamie Cardy pages a few years back? I covered it in this PoC article. Jamie even went to the extent to send out friend requests to the unsuspecting and after that person accepted he’d put the person as one of the “administrators” to his cat killing events. A lot of innocent people received death threats from his acts.

The animal advocate who holds a grudge

This person holds a grudge against a rescuer, whether it be an individual who rescues or a 501c3 non-profit. That person is closely watched and criticized for everything they do to help an animal. If an animal is humanely euthanized it’s asked why they didn’t hold off on euthanasia. If the animal isn’t euthanized, the rescue(r) is accused of allowing the animal to needlessly suffer. There’s no way to win with a cat advocate who holds a grudge.

What’s really sad is the rescuer can go to the person’s Facebook page and it’s full of animals needing help and people being asked to share the post.

I’ve also been told this is common practice in the world of pure-bred cats, dogs and horses.

As for me…I’ve ended up in the middle of it all

I realize there have always been people out there who hate my writing or who hate me personally. Especially on articles about feral cats. One comment that recently didn’t get approved for an article even accused me of not knowing about TNR. I’ve helped with 13 TNR’s to date and am also available to help train newbies.

I’m also hated because I won’t write on rumors. I need a credible media source or a police blotter report showing an arrest. I’ve had to sit on stories for MONTHS because rumors of a rescue doing this or that haven’t been shut down. It’s different for the average person to comment on an article than it is for me to write and that difference is called “libel.” Because of my refusal, I’ve been put on do not rescue/adopt/transport lists, despite the fact I haven’t even been to the shelter since 2013. Protecting myself from a lawsuit has put me with the title of “animal abuser supporter.”

Are any of you being harassed?

Are any of you being attacked via social media? Please sound off in the comments. It doesn’t have to be cat related. I’d like to see how widespread the issue has become.

As for my writing in the future to help rescues-score goes to the people who harass. I won’t put any more rescue(s) out there for bullying. I can still write about shelter cats and report on cats news.