Sunday, July 26, 2009
Some cat owners ignore their basic responsibilities
EDITOR:
I am a cat owner. I am a dog owner. I have a question for cat owners who insist on letting their cats roam freely. If you live near Meridian Road or any other high-traffic area, what would possess you to let your precious cats roam around, Declawed and not spayed, and possibly crossing a road where they might get hit by a car?
I have no doubt that you love your pets, but please, that doesn’t mean everyone else does. Case in point: A man in my Austintown neighborhood leaves poison out for rodents, dogs, cats, and sadly, could care less if a child gets it.
Two years ago I found a sick, starving kitten. I took it in, nursed it back to health with the help of my veterinarian, and it became my second pet. Last weekend, a declawed, gray cat showed up in my yard. It had been hanging around the neighborhood for about a month, but usually left before dark. But this time, it stayed all night, crying to come in my home, sitting in the rain. I put up fliers, went door to door, but no one claimed this very friendly little cat. I have yet to see a “lost cat” ad in the paper. The little gray cat will see the veterinarian on Friday and will be adopted by me. Please, keep your cats inside. Just because some of us like animals, there are just as many people who don’t. If you MUST let them roam, please make sure they are spayed, neutered, and have claws to defend themselves. They count on us to be responsible for them.
EMILY ANN JONES
Cornersburg