Albuquerque Journal Article – Caged Cats

Born to be Wild, or to At Least Believe They Are

Question:

I’m trying to help half a dozen cats who are kept in pens.  I would like to see them hunt, climb, chase, choose which cats they associate with, and have more than just one spot to sleep in.  To me, keeping cats in pens is inhumane but Animal Services disagrees with me.  They say no, they’re doing just fine.  They’re fed and cared for and don’t appear to be under any stress. The cats live in pens about the size of the old roadside zoos.  You might be too young to have seen those, but you could see a coyote or a bobcat in a small pen.  These cats’ pens stink of urine. The neighbor insists that she is trying to protect them from coyotes and traffic.

Dr. Nichol:

Thank you for believing that I am too young to have seen incarcerated wild animals on display for the viewing pleasure of travelers. It is well established that solitary confinement for any species diminishes their wellbeing by depriving them of their ability to engage in natural behaviors. Doing time in a penitentiary is not among my life goals.

The Five Freedoms of animal welfare, supported by the ASPCA, were drummed into my head during my behavior medicine residency: freedom from hunger and thirst, from discomfort, from pain, injury or disease, freedom to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress.

Your neighbor’s well-intentioned protective custody has prevented her kitties from being road kill or lunch but for wild animals we keep as pets (cats) some hardships are worse than death. Post graduate study of animal behavior teaches that the natural stress of staying out of the clutches of predators is an innate part of life. Cats are genetically programmed to roam, hunt, and survive. Cats who live indoor need a plethora of environmental enrichments to simulate a quasi-natural existence.

This is a difficult conundrum. Feral cats should not be a menace to public health but stripping them of their basic dignity amounts to inhumane treatment.  Personally, I would rather live well than live long. That’s easy for me to say; I am blessed with an excellent life.

 

Each week Dr. Jeff Nichol makes a short video, blog, or podcast to help bring out the best in pets. Sign up at no charge at drjeffnichol.com. Dr. Nichol treats behavior disorders at the Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Centers in Albuquerque and Santa Fe (505-792-5131). You can post pet behavioral or physical questions at facebook.com/drjeffnichol or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.