Hey Carl-got my eye on one now, a beautiful Tennessee Walker that is in a rescue but needs a new mommy.(Hopefully,me-if I get my way-lol). UGh! Raccoons! I wish my CATS would do something about those,the opposums and armadillos! I guess a 12 gauge will take care of it though,if the cats won’t. Most definitely the oppossums,because they can kill a horse with their disease carrying selves.

You are right southfan-cats are dirty little creatures. Mine aren’t using a litter pan (they tend to go behind the barn),but since I’m not worried about being preggars and don’t walk around barefoot, I think it’s all good.

If you really want to see something scarcy,look at what all a raccoon’s feces carry.I always teach the small ones around here to wash their hands after petting any animal of any kind.The lady across the street found a family of raccoons in her utility room behind her washer and dryer the other day and it like to have scared her to death.The coyotes seem to be driving them out of the woods.

Yes, cats are predatory. There are ASTOUNDING estimates of the number of birds and small mammals killed by free-range cats each year(hundreds of millions). They do not discriminate between common birds and those that are protected. It doesn’t matter if they are well-fed; killing is part of their hard-wired activity. Not all cats are born “mousers.” Their moms must teach them this skill. Cats deserve to be protected from other wildlife, disease and dangers such as cars and dogs.

Cats transmit bartonella bacterium causing swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, fever in healthy people. Cats carry salmonella, campylobacter, plague, cryptosporidium, and giardia.
Cat feces contain toxoplasmosis (parasite hazardous to pregnant women and those with immune system disorders. I am sure all those outdoor kitties are not using a litter tray.

Not much upkeep to cats,but I bet you have your hands full if you still have them horses RMSEEK.You rescue any lately?

Mine have killed a few small snakes (ground rattlers and small rat snakes) too Carl. If I didn’t live in the country though, I honestly probably wouldn’t have a cat. Last time I was at the vet though, I do believe they said that the rabies shot was now every 3 years.

Southfan- I agree about Discount Spay and Neuter-they are reasonable.

I like dogs much better but cats are easier to take care of and they are predators that help to keep down the mice and snakes in an area.These four that took up home here caught two young copper heads about 18 inches long and one rat snake,which I managed to save,and a few mice from the house next door where no one presently lives, during this past summer.They are annoying when they climb on the car but they seem to be trying to earn their keep and 90% of the time they keep within eye sight of the house.Does anyone know if they’ve ok’ed the rabies shot being good for 3 years yet?

Discount spay and neuter on Moffet is VERY reasonable if you don’t have medicaid.

Not a real cat fan either-the only reason I have any (and they are spayed/neutered) is to be mousers at the barn. I can’t stand them on my truck,nor can I stand to go in someone’s house where they are all up on the counters,licking out of the pots. Yuck.

Mom2angelbaby-call Animal Control-they should be able to direct you. You can have a cat or dog spayed/neutered for next to nothing if you have Medicaid(serious).

Ahh, She’s the messenger.  Look at the bottom of the article and the rescue groups’ number is posted.

Ciss, Jessica Tal, is the one who is directing this particular subject!