This was my cat “Panther”. I had her from when I was 12 years old until she was 21 years old (and I 33). She used to walk down to the shops with me. She was a delightful domestic cat. However, after working in the bush I now see the terrible toll cats take on our native species. Domestic cats should never be allowed to leave a controlled and enclosed space to roam free.
Stealthy predator of malign intent brought to a new country evil sent with no defences natives fall like dominoes before claw and paw
colonising new territory by the day nothing effective stands in the way a death count of billions by today an introduced plague that makes death play indigenous species fall by the way
to arrest this devastation we catch and kill but the feline mind eludes us still and hand on heart heart on sleeve we witness endangerment extinction and grieve
As the first photo. indicates, I was a cat lover once. No longer. I chose “What Shall we do with the feathers?” by Lois Wain. I think the artist meant it to be a cute picture. The collars suggest domestic cats. They have just had a bit of fun together killing a bird despite the fact that they are fed daily by a human. However, to me it represents catastrophe because domestic cats and their feral offspring in Australia today are responsible for countless uncontrolled deaths. A plague of feral cats is decimating our native wildlife.
The dVerse prompt for we poets this week came from Melissa, to choose a Louis Wain artwork based on cats, and write a poem inspired by the artwork. One catch– we may not use the word cat. Other feline terminology is acceptable.
I agree with you that domesticated cats should not be allowed to roam free. Although I think they ought to have their own habitat, they are domesticated now, and people often keep “house cats” as indoor / outdoor cats, which leads to a host of problems, including overpopulation (which you’ve alluded to with “plague of feral cats”), death by automobile, and many others. I don’t think it’s the cats’ fault, it’s ours. As you’ve also said, we’ve introduced them into places they didn’t come from, improper ecosystems. People continue to deny responsibility for spaying and neutering their pets and release them outdoors.🤯 I volunteered with an organization that provided low-cost spay and neuter clinics, vaccine clinics, trap/neuter/return services, and adoption services. I saw horrible things. The number of people who dropped kittens off in boxes, incredible. Not to mention throwing them out car windows and/or leaving them by the side of the road. In essence, I agree with you. I wish more people would care, regardless of the reasoning, to get the populations of stray cats under control, so all can benefit!
Sorry for the long comment–I am passionate about the welfare of all living things! I appreciate you taking the opportunity to shed light on the subject and writing to the prompt. Thank you!☺️
Sean, I’m 100% in agreement with you about allowing pet cats to roam free. My two stay inside and have no interest in going outside, which I think is due to both getting their starts in the world as stray cats that a local shelter take in after being trapped by good samaritans.
I live in a rural area where lots of native critters live. However my neighbor across the street lets his cats out to walk over and go hunting, i.e. killing anything it can catch. I can remember the last time I saw a rabbit hopping around — all dead. Birds can get away, except for the ones who nest on the ground. I’m sure they keep the mice/vole population under control, but there are hawks and eagles around that can do that.
seanmathews.blog 
I agree with you that domesticated cats should not be allowed to roam free. Although I think they ought to have their own habitat, they are domesticated now, and people often keep “house cats” as indoor / outdoor cats, which leads to a host of problems, including overpopulation (which you’ve alluded to with “plague of feral cats”), death by automobile, and many others. I don’t think it’s the cats’ fault, it’s ours. As you’ve also said, we’ve introduced them into places they didn’t come from, improper ecosystems. People continue to deny responsibility for spaying and neutering their pets and release them outdoors.🤯 I volunteered with an organization that provided low-cost spay and neuter clinics, vaccine clinics, trap/neuter/return services, and adoption services. I saw horrible things. The number of people who dropped kittens off in boxes, incredible. Not to mention throwing them out car windows and/or leaving them by the side of the road. In essence, I agree with you. I wish more people would care, regardless of the reasoning, to get the populations of stray cats under control, so all can benefit!
Sorry for the long comment–I am passionate about the welfare of all living things! I appreciate you taking the opportunity to shed light on the subject and writing to the prompt. Thank you!☺️
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PS Panther was beautiful. Thank you for taking care of her and giving her a long life.
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Indeed… those cats in the wrong enviromment are a terrible plague…
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Sean, I’m 100% in agreement with you about allowing pet cats to roam free. My two stay inside and have no interest in going outside, which I think is due to both getting their starts in the world as stray cats that a local shelter take in after being trapped by good samaritans.
I live in a rural area where lots of native critters live. However my neighbor across the street lets his cats out to walk over and go hunting, i.e. killing anything it can catch. I can remember the last time I saw a rabbit hopping around — all dead. Birds can get away, except for the ones who nest on the ground. I’m sure they keep the mice/vole population under control, but there are hawks and eagles around that can do that.
Thank you for your public service message.
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Sorry for the multiple typos. Hoping my message gets across. Don’t let pet cats roam outside as they kill/maim whatever they can catch.
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