Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum
Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026
Why is there such a pathological hatred of cats in Irish society?
Comments
-
Right...am highly annoyed. Not for the first time, some little w****** chasing after my cats, they were just lying in the front garden and sitting on the wall.
My cats were kicked and hit with sticks
One day, I hope, one of my cats will scrape the face of one of them to teach them a viable lesson :mad:
Sorry about the rant, but it had to be said. Kids, 12 years of age approx. should have more sense, imo0 -
-
-
I'm actually convinced that quiet country roads are far more dangerous for cats than busy roads or streets.
The road in front of our house is fairly busy, and I've never seen any of our cats actually setting foot (paw?) outside the front gate. The noise and the hussle makes them stay away, they avoid it.
A cat would have no reason to avoid a nice and quite road. And then one day it'll get run over by the pillock who comes belting down it at 60mph.
Never in my life seen a dead cat along our back roads but couldn't tell you how many kittens and cats that die along the towns main road. Depends on the area I guess but in my experience I've only ever seen dead cats along main roads.Interesting. I've been reading into it a little bit now, I I'm sorry, but I have to assume that that particular doctor wasn't... shall we say, fully informed?
Toxoplasmosis is a parasite that humans can get into contact with through cat faeces, through handling or eating raw or undercooked meat, and through goats milk (so the ice cream would be safe, I apologise), as well as through blood transfusions.
Once a person was infected once, there will be no risk to any pregnancies or children. The danger lies exclusively in contracting the infection while pregnant. Most pages estimate that about half the human population have already been infected and are therefore perfectly safe.
To find out if your sister was safe or not, all the doc would have needed to do was take a blood sample and have it checked. If she's had the cat for a while and the cat is allowed outdoors, chances are she's in the safe group anyway.
In short, I suspect he was communicating out of his rectum there.
This! If people would do a bit of research like you have before freaking out it would help matters but they never doOldNotWIse wrote: »At least you're honest. It's the people who get animals and then turf them out when baby arrives that annoy me :mad: I dont have a problem with people making a decision not to get them in the first place - that's their choice.
I hope you are blessed with the child you want
My parents waited ten years for me - Don't give up!
That drives me crazy and quite frankly makes me sick. The amount of couples who get a precious little furrball (dog/cat) when they move into together only to get pregnant a year or two later and want rid of the pet. Surely they would have dicussed things on how to make it work with a pet and baby in the house?
As for the poster 'whatdoicare' well I really hope you get to have the baby you obviously really want. Can only speak for myself but if ever I get pregnant in the future I will not be getting rid of any pets but will of course take precautions with handling litter. Though at this stage I'm probably immune :pac:Richard Dower wrote: »Well the key was they grew up together, he was a pup and her a kitten....he was a jack russel, and an aggressive little fecker!, but the cat used to whap him on the nose if he got fresh and he knew not to mess with her!
Not always the case. My lad a terrier was about 9 or 10 when I started taking in stray cats. At first he didn't like them but when he realised they weren't going anywhere he became best friends with them. Even my most hostile cat (when she thought nobody was watching) would rub up under his chin and cuddle up beside himIt's a 15 x 8 x 3 foot pond in the private garden of a detached house not that it bloody matters - why should one person's ability to keep a pet be controlled by another person's unwillingess to control theirs?
Maybe your family didn't know but you can get special netting to put around your fence along the top which stops cats from getting in and also if you had cats of your own it stops them from getting out.
In an ideal world everyone would look after their pets in the proper way but they don't and they never will, so you have to take all and any steps to ensure the safety of your own.0 -
ToniTuddle wrote: »
Maybe your family didn't know but you can get special netting to put around your fence along the top which stops cats from getting in and also if you had cats of your own it stops them from getting out.
In an ideal world everyone would look after their pets in the proper way but they don't and they never will, so you have to take all and any steps to ensure the safety of your own.
Thanks for the tip, but the fish are far away at this stage (they now live happily in an (artifical, no connection to rivers etc) lake in a rural golfcourse)
And yeah, I know that it's somewhat idealistic to expect the majority of people to be properly responsible for their pet's behavour, it's just galling to be told by others in this thread that I should just suck it up 'cos thats the way it is, without any acknowledgement that it is irresponsible and selfish on their part to fail to take any measures to control their cats.0 -
Advertisement
-
Thanks for the tip, but the fish are far away at this stage (they now live happily in an (artifical, no connection to rivers etc) lake in a rural golfcourse)
And yeah, I know that it's somewhat idealistic to expect the majority of people to be properly responsible for their pet's behavour, it's just galling to be told by others in this thread that I should just suck it up 'cos thats the way it is, without any acknowledgement that it is irresponsible and selfish on their part to fail to take any measures to control their cats.
I have to say, this is not only the case with cats, this is just as true for dogs.
We currently have an open driveway to the house, with no gate. We've applied for planning permission to change the front wall and add a gate, but these things take time.
In the meantime, I've got to chase dogs out of our garden at least once a week. Most of the time, the owners are nowhere to be seen, while poochie happily terrifies the living daylight out of our cats. One of them is getting on a bit now, and I do worry that one day she might be too slow.
Sometimes, the dog owners will stand just outside our driveway, leash in hand and gormless expression on the face, staring at me screaming and trying to get their dogs out of our garden. They never even attempt to cpntrol their dogs, they usually look at ME as if I'm out of my mind. When I tell them to ake their dog stop chasing my cats, I get told things like "Ah, sure, most of the time they don't even catch them".
I'm terrified of dogs, I was attacked by one as a child. I do feel like pushing those f*ckwit owners into heavy traffic.
But I know it's wishful thinking to ask dog owners to control their animals. So once we get the planning permission, we'll spend a couple of grands for a decent wall and gate. If that means my cats get to live in peace, then it'll be worth it.0 -
Richard Dower wrote: »My cat used to sleep with the dog in his kennel....another misconception, dogs + cats can and DO get along!
http://mritechnicianschools.net/2010/17-health-benefits-of-owning-a-cat/[/QUOTE
Yep, they get along while they are domesticated and getting fed every day, but sure enough if they were left alone for a week nature would take its course and the dog would probably win in its fight for survival, ive seen dogs killing sheep on the Curragh, could'nt really see a cat doing that:)0 -
-
-
Thanks for the tip, but the fish are far away at this stage (they now live happily in an (artifical, no connection to rivers etc) lake in a rural golfcourse)
And yeah, I know that it's somewhat idealistic to expect the majority of people to be properly responsible for their pet's behavour, it's just galling to be told by others in this thread that I should just suck it up 'cos thats the way it is, without any acknowledgement that it is irresponsible and selfish on their part to fail to take any measures to control their cats.
Wow! What a cool, large place for them to be rehomed. Guess you can always drop by for a game and see them?
I understand your frustration but it's only with more education and awareness in a civil way will folks even begin to get it into their heads. People shout from both sides of the argument and then they both dig their heels in solving nothing. It takes time and casual hints here and there but eventually you can get through to folks!0 -
Advertisement
-
-
ToniTuddle wrote: »Wow! What a cool, large place for them to be rehomed. Guess you can always drop by for a game and see them?
I understand your frustration but it's only with more education and awareness in a civil way will folks even begin to get it into their heads. People shout from both sides of the argument and then they both dig their heels in solving nothing. It takes time and casual hints here and there but eventually you can get through to folks!
Yeah, they are as happy as clams nowadays I don't play golf myself, but my mother (fish owner) plays there all the time and it is so goddam awesome when she comes home all breathless and excited when she hears another member has seen her fish and says they look healthy and happy.
And thanks for the understanding; I do get frustrated when people wheel out the "it's nature" argument - so many of the things we use and rules we follow are "unnatural", why should irresponsible cat (and dog)-owners, get a free ride I wonder?0 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Again an excuse. Cats have been domesticated for at least 8,000 years more like 9,000. They've been selectively bred for looks and temperament throughout that time.
But isn't there something about how dogs have been domesticated for longer and cats not so much. Dogs had to be selectively bred for specific jobs while all cats were mostly used to just catch mice and rats on ships etc. Seeing as they did that job anyway they didn't need to be domesticated as such at the start anyway.
Think that was someones argument on why cats aren't as affectionate as dogs :pac:Yeah, they are as happy as clams nowadays I don't play golf myself, but my mother (fish owner) plays there all the time and it is so goddam awesome when she comes home all breathless and excited when she hears another member has seen her fish and says they look healthy and happy.
And thanks for the understanding; I do get frustrated when people wheel out the "it's nature" argument - so many of the things we use and rules we follow are "unnatural", why should irresponsible cat (and dog)-owners, get a free ride I wonder?
Ahh that's lovely for your mother! They shouldn't get a free ride but not all of them are bad some just really don't have a clue. Openly admit to making plenty of mistakes along the way until I started researching cats (and dogs) properly. Had a good heart but not a clue! A lot of people just rely on the advice that was pumped into them from a young age and don't even think to question it. That's why I'm not too harsh on folks as most just need the right information and a bit of guidance to be better owners.
Had to remind my Mother for months and months not to give milk to the cats and her response was always "well how did the cats survive years ago when all we gave them was bread and milk" Yeah they survived but you never saw what came out the other end and sure why wouldn't they want to drink it sure don't we drink stuff that's bad for us too :pac: Tell other people about the milk (among other things) but it's like it's hardwired into their brains to not believe me or surely I'm wrong because the cats love it soo much. Bit by bit I'll eventually get through 0 -
Advertisement
-
-
-
She was very lucky.
We were recently found by an abandoned kitten (keeps happening, I suspect people dump them somewhere nearby, and they find their way to our place probably following our cats), but as we have 4 already now and they didn't take to the little tyke, we had to find a new home for her.
It was very difficult is all I can say. The kitten was vaccinated, spayed and microchipped at our own cost, we didn't ask for any money back, but it still took weeks to find a new home for her.
She left yesterday, and while I'm sure she'll have a good life, and we've only had her for those few weeks now, I was still crying.
I wish there were more people like you!! I sometimes think we have a sign outside our house saying "MUGS LIVE HERE!!" because we always have strays wandering in. Wouldn't be without any of them thoughEircom_Sucks wrote: »my other half has a cat , does nothing but fooking moan , jesus such torture to the ears , you feed her she's still moaning , she's on your lap purring she dribbles on you , she goes to the back door and moans , you let her out , 5 mins later she's on the window ledge looking in moaning , you let her in and then after 5mins usual moaning.
if she's out when you go to bed your fcuking screwed , within an hour she's on your bedroom window ledge moaning to come in
i've 2 pet goldfish who are as good as gold , never moan , never dribble on me and always look surprised to see me
Not nice to talk about your other half like that
Richard Dower wrote: »My cat used to sleep with the dog in his kennel....another misconception, dogs + cats can and DO get along!
http://mritechnicianschools.net/2010/17-health-benefits-of-owning-a-cat/Richard Dower wrote: »Well the key was they grew up together, he was a pup and her a kitten....he was a jack russel, and an aggressive little fecker!, but the cat used to whap him on the nose if he got fresh and he knew not to mess with her!
Yup same here. I have a little jacker (little napoleon she is) and she's great with the cats. Terrified of one of themBecause the cats are just cats doing what comes naturally.
Their owners are humans who (preumably) are aware that cats hunt and kill many small animals, including other people's pets but fail to do a single thing to control them.
Pet dogs sometimes "naturally" form packs and hunt sheep if they can, but we don't let them keep doing so. That's the difference.
Agree. A lot of people think it's acceptable to allow their cats to roam indiscriminately. Do this with a dog and you'd hear about it quick enough. And in fact, dogs would have a stronger sense of "pack" than cats anyway.That is disgusting - I dread reading the horror stories you get around hallow'een about people doing things like this - you really wonder what kind of people they grow up into; I've read that that kind of behaviour is a big signaller for a budding sociopath.
They are some monsters out there alright. I saw two kn*ckers (and they were abou 16 they should have had more feckin sense) a few days ago throwing something at a cat. Dont know what it was but the poor thing ran off terrified. Of course you can't say anything, even looking at them earned me a mouthful of filthy abuse. I look at these guys and I think what a waste. Some poor woman gestated and gave birth to you. The state paid for your education and now you are getting your kicks from terrorising poor animals (not to mention walking around with your hand down the front of your tracksuit bottoms - drives me spare! :mad:) These people will never amount to anything, though some might "progress" to terrorising little children instead.0 -
-
Dogs weren't selectively breed in the way we know of it today as such up until the last 150 years. The strongest dogs that did the best work were guaranteed a ride but for the longest time dogs would have just breed with each other and we made do with what ever the results where.
The modern breeds are an abomination and a disgraceful abuse of the species.
I would have to disagree there... true, the current breeds are a very new development. But to assume that simply because there were no or few distinct breeds of dog beforehand humans were not selecting traits and breeding dogs that displayed them is a little superficial.
As far as I know, humans have bred dogs, not so much for a particular fur colour or beautifully formed snout, but for strength as you pointed out, and for character.
Wolfs instinctively fear humans or show aggression, dogs don't. So something happened in the evolution of the dog (which only really started once humans domesticised wolves).
There was an article a while back in National Geographic about research that had been done on a silverfox farm in Russia.
Researchers selected fox cups who dsiplayed little or no fear of humans when they first came into contact with them, and bred them. And as a check, they also bred cups who displayed fear and agression towards humans.
The research has been running for just around 50 years now, and the researchers already have bred a sub-species of silverfox that behaves much the same as dogs do. They don't display any fear or agression towards humans from the start, and actively seek out their company. They are no longer wild animals, but tame.
The cups that have been bred to show aggression and fear do so, to the point of being completely untameable, they cannot be made to get used to humans.
The interesting thing is that the researchers noticed that the tamer they bred the foxes, the more variations started to show up in their colouring... they now have black and which spotted foxes. They're currently investigating if there is a genetic link between those variations and a predisposition to like humans. Far-fetched, but who knows?
Based on this, I think that humans did indeed breed dogs to be more friendly and sociable. Probably at a much slower pace than those Russian scientists, but then they've had a few thousand years.
And that's where the difference to cats comes in : Cats are believed to have domesticated themselves. They were not actively taken in by humans, they just moved in and lived alongside for the most part of our history.
If a kitten has not contact to humans, it will grow up feral - there is nothing in it's genetic makeup that will make it seek out human company. So while dogs tend to be tame from when they're born, each generation of cats needs to learn that humans can be friends. But since they've little problem learning that when they're still young, there's no need for humans to breed them more human-friendly. 0 -
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suK26z8FZK0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LefQdEMJP1I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUuc3pYxEow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7ljTh-Tapo
![[Deleted User]](/applications/dashboard/design/images/defaulticon.png)
Advertisement