Editor:
On Oct. 26, your paper published an intriguing letter on the general issue of how awful cats are, at least in the author’s opinion.
I apologize for not having written sooner in response to that letter, as missives of that sort really require a thoughtful reply; however, at that particular time, we were very busy moving into our still unfinished home and preparing for winter. It is only recently that I have been able to devote more time to writing.
Originally when I sat down to offer a thoughtful response to some of Ms. Daiute’s theories and statements, I ended up with having three pages written and only half done. I realized that for now, at least, some of her letter will have to remain unchallenged.
Although I can certainly empathize with her in her anger over domestic cats killing song birds, I do feel that cats should not be entirely eliminated from the home or farm.
If, as she opines, some 20 billion mammals are killed by domestic cats every year is true, that would present a serious problem, were it not for the fact I believe that the mammals referred to are nothing more that what we call rodents.
Since most wild predatory animals will not venture near urban homes or farm buildings, the domestic cat is an invaluable check on the population of gophers, voles, rats and mice, all of which can and do cause damage, ruin food crops, eat stored grain and seed, and spread disease and droppings far and wide.
It is wise for us all to remember that there is a balance in nature; one creature or plant eats or receives nutrition from another in order to survive, and when that balance is upset, such as the containment or elimination of cats, a population explosion in the rodent world would result – with consequences one can only imagine.
In light of that, I am very willing to allow my cats the luxury of an occasional bird (which also eat seeds in gardens) in return for the the essential part they play in the balance of nature.
Timothy Major
Sweet Home