“Non-religious Western Jews are the most involved in animal welfare [in Jerusalem]”

Two useful tags. Click either to see the articles: Toxic to cats | Dangers to cats

Cat lover in Jerusalem. Photo: National Geographic

In Jerusalem….

“The more religious the group is, it turns out that they have the least experience with animals.”

These are the words of a wonderful woman with a really nice voice and kind heart who helps the community of Jerusalem. She is an American and Jewish, it seems.

I don’t know her name. She is religious and possibly moved to Jerusalem from America because of her religion. I am speculating.

Jerusalem is famed for its large number of community cats. This is a sad reputation. As the lady explains, the reason is a lack of interest or commitment in spaying and neutering the street cats. The cats breed willy-nilly. There is no control. Other women also feed the cats.

Has to do something and understands

This lady is switched on. She understands the dynamics and issues but can’t resolve the problems single handedly.

She is one of those people – usually a woman – who can’t bear the thought of cats suffering and has to do something about it. This places a self-imposed burden upon herself which must at times be a heavy responsibility because of the ever present incoming tide of thousands of cats.

Calling the cats

You’ll see her calling the cats to be fed. She uses a special sound to call them. This may interest some people because they want to know if is possible to call cats like dogs. Well it definitely is especially when food is involved as food provides a positive reinforcement to the training process.

Doing the right thing

I love this woman. She is admirable but she has to keep a low profile to avoid aggravating people; those who dislike cats and the women who feed them. This reminds me of the US and UK and I am sure other countries. The world is divided in this regard. The better group is obviously the one comprised of kind women like this lady because she is acting humanely and decently. She is doing the right thing and deserves praise. Cat haters who simply want rid of cats are wrong. They need to commit to acting humanely.

Religious people less good at animal welfare?

So why are the more religious people in Jerusalem less experienced with respect animals as she says? I presume that she is referring to strictly Orthodox or ultra-Orthodox Jews. This is a philosophical question and there are many possible answers. My own is that religion tends to make animals second class creatures (human dominion over animals etc.). Religion is a human concept and about humans. Animals are shut out of it. Religious extremism is self-indulgent I feel.

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