Thankful Thursday: Writing a Wrong

I think we often take for granted the power we have, not just as cats, dogs, pigs, donkeys, and birds, but as bloggers and as a powerful blogging community.  While there are many things we do well, one of the things we excel at it identifying a wrong and going after it head first.  We’ve tackled many challenges over the years, some with success, and some with little to show for it.  But that does not stop us from trying.

The matter at paw I am addressing is the recent attack on cats.  Several of those attacks have come from unsuspecting places and from those we might have considered as allies.  The most recent attack comes in the form of funded research which has drawn the conclusion that us cats are decimating the bird population.  I am sure you have seen it, at least I know lots of you have, because I have seen your writings in response to this attack.

My friend June, from Alley Cat Allies summed it up nicely in a newletter I received, so I shall just quote it…

“Articles scapegoating cats have been all over the news this week, from The New York Times to USA Today.

These stories are based on biased research that could lead to more outdoor cats being rounded up and killed. It’s absolutely horrifying.

The media are relying on a so-called “study” funded by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Migratory Birds that recklessly perpetuates a bogus debate. It’s propaganda, and Alley Cat Allies is demanding that the Smithsonian denounce it.

This “study” is a direct attack on our progress with Trap-Neuter-Return. In communities across the country, TNR stabilizes and reduces the population of feral cats and saves millions of cats from being killed in shelters. This Smithsonian report is a desperate attempt to set back that progress.

Please, don’t let that happen. We need you to stand with us right away. We have to stop this junk science advocating for the mass killing of cats and immediately combat the lies.

Speak out and stand with us. Tell the Smithsonian: Stop spreading junk science that will kill cats.

This “study” was authored by researchers with an anti-cat track record. It appeared in the online journal Nature Communications.

The authors arrived at their chosen conclusion by cherry-picking data in the most egregious fashion. Worse still, they cite a discredited researcher, a colleague who was convicted and then fired for trying to poison cats.

Let’s be clear: the real threats to birds and other wildlife populations—deforestation, climate change, and habitat destruction—are being ignored.

We cannot stand for cats to be scapegoats.

More killing should never be the answer. We’ve got to come together and speak out now to save cats’ lives—they’re counting on us.

Click here to tell the Smithsonian to stop spreading false information that puts cats at risk.”

If you have not done so already, please go sign the petition.  Then write about it and help call attention to this wrong.

Then there is another story that caught my attention in The New Zealand Herald.  If you have not seen it, here is the leading paragraph…

“Top New Zealand economist Gareth Morgan is launching a campaign to eradicate domestic cats.”

If you care to read the story, you can find it HERE.

Both stories are harmful to us cats and, as June pointed out above, can lead to more homeless and helpless cats.

So, let’s do what we do best, write, write, write and make sure you make your feelings known.  Writing about wrongs is something we should never be afraid to tackle so we can right these wrongs.  And no matter what this humans say, I say adopt cats, we deserve it!!!!!  More Forever Homes More Often!  Purrrrr! Zip! Later!

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