What affects us affects cats
NEWS AND COMMENT: In Britain, there is a vociferous group of people who like to participate in countryside pursuits which includes hunting foxes and shooting birds. They defend their right to kill animals for pleasure at every opportunity (fox hunting is banned in the UK but it still happens). And an opportunity has arisen …
I am discussing two potential hazards for domestic cats when eating dry cat food. First, though, I believe that some manufacturers make dry food pellets too small in the interests of cat health. I believe that the optimum size of dry cat food pellets should be the oral care type of pellet which is …
The conservation of wild animals should go hand-in-hand with animal welfare. They are two branches of the same thing. Conservation protects wild animals and animal welfare laws protect wild and domestic animals. However, in Australia conservation is in direct conflict with animal welfare. They’ve got themselves into an unholy mess on the issue of …
I set out some key parts only of the New Zealand Animal Welfare Act 1999 here as they relate to the welfare of domestic cats in general. In other words, they concern people who keep domestic cats. New Zealand’s SPCA tells us that the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (The Act) provides the law on …
I’m going to refer to cats more than other animals but of course sentence applies to any animal. What is sentience? It is the ability to feel and experience emotions, both positive and negative. Cats and other animals can experience pain and joy. It is central to our relationship with animals and to the …
I would certainly buy cat food made with insect protein. I am very keen on the concept because there are so many benefits. And we can do it right now at least if you live in Canada you can. A Canadian company, Catit, has made cat food with 92% sustainable insect protein. It is …
Before the first laws protecting animals against human abuse were enacted there was an enlightenment about the potential of animals to suffer. The English philosopher, Jeremy Bentham, said, in response to Kant: “The question is not, Can they reason? nor Can they talk? but, Can they suffer? The grammar is verbatim. It was written …
As an item on a wish list, I would include a National Health Service for pets. I’m referring to the NHS in the UK which of course is exclusively for people but it begs the question why we can’t have something similar for companion animals. After all, we relate to companion animals as members …
