CATS: PETS OR PESTS?
The ancestor of todayís domestic cat (Felis
catus) was the North African wildcat (Felis silvestris
libyca). Since domestication 5000 years ago, cats have had an
ambivalent relationship with human society.1
Worshipped in Egyptian antiquity as deities, domestic cats were
jealously protected then as very special animal companions.
But during the Middle Ages and in early modern times in Europe,
domestic cats were frequently the victims of organised and
unrestrained acts of animal cruelty. Today, in modern developed
countries, cats are enjoying a resurgence of popularity as
suitable pets. However, attitudes towards them in the
community-at-large are still somewhat polarised.
In attempting to explain the ailurophobic (cat-hating)
behaviour of some elements of human society, Serpell highlighted a
number of influences including religious effects, misogynous
associations, superstitions and ignorance. 1
History clearly indicates how powerful such human behavioural
forces can be.
While some people respect and appreciate the independent
attitude, the confidence, the athleticism and the phenomenal
sensory ability of domestic cats, others find these capabilities
unsettling, possibly even supernatural and/or malevolent. Cats are
notoriously unprepared to accept human domination and yet still
seem pretty much able to get what they want from people. Perhaps
this has also been a source of antipathy down the ages.
There is a risk that people who particularly dislike cats might
be inclined to express their feelings by operating their own
vigilante style of cat eradication programs. There is also a risk
that acts of gratuitous cruelty to cats might be condoned under
such circumstances. Although as a society we like to think that weíve
moved ahead of the grim ignorance and the cruelty of medieval
times, perhaps we havenít. The risk of inappropriate solutions
to cat problems will increase if mounting community concern about
cats is not tackled with legitimate MPM strategies and
initiatives.
Rather than ignore the concern, a better option is to work the
cat control scene quietly towards a middle ground situation as we
have with dogs. Then people can enjoy the benefits of cats without the
negative aspects of cats annoying their neighbours.
1.
Serpell JA. 1988. The domestication and history of the cat. In: Turner DC, Bateson P, editors. The Domestic Cat: the biology of its behaviour. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press: 151-158.
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