@zoologicallyobsessed this is all I can think about while watching/participating in these stupid arguments about outdoor cats
@slightlyunderokayartist I can’t believe you genuinely think the “enrichment” your cat gets from going outside is worth him possibly being run over, mauled by a dog/raccoon/possum/etc, being poisoned, or otherwise being severely hurt or killed. What’s it like caring that little for the well-being of your cat?
You are not a cat. Your cat does not understand the risks of the outside, nor does he understand the ecological damage every time he hunts birds or other animals for fun. You may be able to conceptualize the idea of taking risks and doing risky things, but your cat does not. He does not understand it is risky to stand in the middle of the road, or eat strange food left outside by assholes that purposefully poison cats. He isn’t capable of weighing the risks and benefits of walking out your door. YOU are his owner, and it is YOUR job to make decisions that keep him safe and healthy.
If you genuinely cared about the value of enrichment for your cat you would give him that enrichment indoors, harness train him, or have an enclosure for him outside.
Cats are cats. They aren’t dogs, or babies, or hamsters, or teddies, or antique china ornaments. They are wild animals that also enjoy hugs.
If you have objections to letting them go outside, choose another pet.
Funny you mention hamsters because cats have been domesticated for way longer and hamsters are much more of a wild animal than they are.
It’s also really ecologically irresponsible for you to release non native wild animals into new biomes, that’s how we wind up with invasive starlings and sparrows and rats and weasels. If you think the cat is a wild animal that’s all the more reason you shouldn’t let it outside and instead just not keep it as a pet at all.
Heres an idea: how about we mind our own damn business abt what ppl do w their peys bc ur tumblr rant isnt gonna change anyones mind anyway!!
As long as you “minding your own business“ is killing other beings it's not exactly just your own business anymore, especially if it's perfectly preventable.
