Unpopular Opinions You Hold

[Parafox]

15 minutes ago, Daggers said:

You wouldn’t believe the number of LibDem MPs I’ve fvcked. 

 

I wonder how many would fvck us all if they ever got into power.

[Daggers]

1 minute ago, Parafox said:

 

I wonder how many would fvck us all if they ever got into power.

One only needs to look at the last time they sold us all out and reneged on their electoral promises.   

[Finnegan]

1 hour ago, leicsmac said:

https://www.mammal.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Domestic-Cat-Predation-on-Wildlife.pdf

 

"Based on the proportion of cats bringing home at least one prey item and the back- transformed means, a British population of approximately 9 million cats was estimated to have brought home in the order of 92 (85-100) million prey items in the period of this survey, including 57 (52-63) million mammals, 27 (25-29) million birds and 5 (4-6) million reptiles and amphibians."

 

Now, from what I can tell there's debates in the UK either way about whether or not these numbers are going to be threatening to wild populations of various animals, but my own take is that we've domesticated these animals, we're supposed to be good stewards of the planet and its life, and so if there's much of a chance of such a threat at all we should be taking action as such responsible stewards.

 

I read that paper earlier when I asked and unless I misunderstood the conclusion was "we have no idea what impact it's having, someone should check?" 

 

They just give some guesstimate numbers. 

 

Again, literally the RSPB don't even think it's a problem. 

 

[leicsmac]

2 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

I read that paper earlier when I asked and unless I misunderstood the conclusion was "we have no idea what impact it's having, someone should check?" 

 

They just give some guesstimate numbers. 

 

Again, literally the RSPB don't even think it's a problem. 

 

Right. We can't be sure about the impact, and there is a pretty lively debate on it from what I can tell (which the RSPB evidently have their take on).

 

Perhaps I'm being overly risk averse, but given we can't be sure yet the better course of action would be to be a little more wary about roaming cats while more research is done, in case there is irreparable damage done?

[Jimothy]

13 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Right. We can't be sure about the impact, and there is a pretty lively debate on it from what I can tell (which the RSPB evidently have their take on).

 

Perhaps I'm being overly risk averse, but given we can't be sure yet the better course of action would be to be a little more wary about roaming cats while more research is done, in case there is irreparable damage done?

How are we supposed research the impact of roaming cats on wildlife if we take your route and stop them roaming? 

[Zear0]

Given the birds shredded to pieces I have to shovel off the lawn occasionally, alongside the cats post meal shit, it's not going to be a positive impact on the  population. 

[Wymsey]

Think farmers must take more responsibility in terms of how much their animals and commercial premises are emitting.

[leicsmac]

7 minutes ago, Facecloth said:

How are we supposed research the impact of roaming cats on wildlife if we take your route and stop them roaming? 

Ha, you're right of course. Should have thought about that.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/14/cats-kill-birds-wildlife-keep-indoors

 

The same Grauniad article that @Finnegan cited for the record (I think), does note that the RSPB considers other factors to be a greater threat to birdlife than cats are. However it does also mention that the debate is far from settled either way and covers both sides pretty well, I think.

[Trav Le Bleu]

I've often wondered why people imprison cats in their houses just to satisfy their own selfish, and misguided, desire for affection.

 

Your cat doesn't love you! It just wants, to go outside and kill stuff!

[bmt]

21 minutes ago, Facecloth said:

How are we supposed research the impact of roaming cats on wildlife if we take your route and stop them roaming? 

Wouldn't that be the easiest way to research it? Just look at numbers of small mammals before and after controlling for other factors.

[Finnegan]

47 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Right. We can't be sure about the impact, and there is a pretty lively debate on it from what I can tell (which the RSPB evidently have their take on).

 

Perhaps I'm being overly risk averse, but given we can't be sure yet the better course of action would be to be a little more wary about roaming cats while more research is done, in case there is irreparable damage done?

 

I mean it's not like roaming cats are a new phenomena tbf

[leicsmac]

3 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

I mean it's not like roaming cats are a new phenomena tbf

They've contributed to extinctions in smaller environments before (like on Hawaii).

 

In any case, my take is, and continues to be, that there is at least a possibility that roaming cats pose a threat to fauna and to themselves that is much greater than if they do not roam and addressing that is perhaps something that needs to be at least looked at more. There's clearly no certainty by consensus either way, but there is at least a reasonable risk.

[Foxdiamond]

9 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

They've contributed to extinctions in smaller environments before (like on Hawaii).

 

In any case, my take is, and continues to be, that there is at least a possibility that roaming cats pose a threat to fauna and to themselves that is much greater than if they do not roam and addressing that is perhaps something that needs to be at least looked at more. There's clearly no certainty by consensus either way, but there is at least a reasonable risk.

Roaming humans are a much greater danger to all wildlife and the environment 

[leicsmac]

3 minutes ago, Foxdiamond said:

Roaming humans are a much greater danger to all wildlife and the environment 

Without any doubt, so both of these things need to be focused on with the requisite amount of work to address both.

[Foxdiamond]

5 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Without any doubt, so both of these things need to be focused on with the requisite amount of work to address both.

I think the human problem will take up most of the resources 

[leicsmac]

12 minutes ago, Foxdiamond said:

I think the human problem will take up most of the resources 

Again I agree and it should, given the comparable magnitude of both of the problems.

 

I spoke my piece on this one simply because someone else saw fit to start the Dog v Cat debate on here.

[Daggers]

1 hour ago, Finnegan said:

 

Again, literally the RSPB don't even think it's a problem. 

 

Oh, a charity relying on middle class donations from twats who own cats don’t think it’s a problem? Well that’s me placated then. 

[Foxdiamond]

36 minutes ago, Daggers said:

Oh, a charity relying on middle class donations from twats who own cats don’t think it’s a problem? Well that’s me placated then. 

Oh my another corruption scandal

[Brainy]

1 hour ago, Trav Le Bleu said:

I've often wondered why people imprison cats in their houses just to satisfy their own selfish, and misguided, desire for affection.

 

Your cat doesn't love you! It just wants, to go outside and kill stuff!

I adopted a cat a few years ago but lived on a main road at the time and ideally wanted an indoor cat because of it. But I didn't want to imprison a cat inside for reasons that suit myself. So I adopted a cat that has a condition meaning he has to be kept inside and away from other cats. Win win 

[ozleicester]

dunno 3x

Edited 15 November 2023 by ozleicester

[ozleicester]

dunno x3

Edited 15 November 2023 by ozleicester

[ozleicester]

7 hours ago, Finnegan said:

 

Honest question, is there actually evidence for this in the UK at all?

 

I hear people bang on about it in Australia and the US where I do understand to an extent. But I'm genuinely unsure what endangered UK wildlife populations are earnestly under threat from domestic cats? Or, conversely, are a significant threat to domestic cats?

 

From the Grauniad:

 

 

 

 

Just sounds like the sort of thing the Jeremy Clarksons (who surprise, surprise, hates cats) of this world can moan about to blame someone other than the farmers. 

 

I find people that "hate" any animals to be weird af to be honest (like, weirder than @Daggers normally is), especially people that seem to have to passionately hate either cats or dogs arbitrarily like the two are at some sort of war.

 

Btw I've just gone to tag @Daggers and realised @Daggers. exists. What is this shenanigans. 

 

 

The kill figures are highly questionable even in Australia. Recent research suggests that well fed well kept cats do nowhere near the numbers previously quoted, and in most cases they are pretty lazy so only end up killing easily caught vermin etc.

Having said that, i am part of a rescue service that has rehomed 700 cats (and 90 or so dogs just for balance) so far this year, and we recommend to all new adopters, "Keep them indoors, it is a risk to themselves and other creatures if they are left to wander". We recomend making an outside area they can go to, which is probably easier here in Oz as so many places have verandahs that can be easily cat proofed.

I dont want either animal negatively affecting my life, so IMO the owners of cats shittting in my yard, or dogs barking night and day should be euthanised.

Just looked the @Daggers. has three posts, so im going with that is the sensible Daggers

[Mike Oxlong]

6 hours ago, Stinkenzo said:

I adopted a cat a few years ago but lived on a main road at the time and ideally wanted an indoor cat because of it. But I didn't want to imprison a cat inside for reasons that suit myself. So I adopted a cat that has a condition meaning he has to be kept inside and away from other cats. Win win 

I think people who adopt cats and live near a main road should be given a medal 🏅 

[Brainy]

40 minutes ago, Mike Oxlong said:

I think people who adopt cats and live near a main road should be given a medal 🏅 

Too bad I moved earlier this year away from a main road

[Mike Oxlong]

5 minutes ago, Stinkenzo said:

Too bad I moved earlier this year away from a main road

Shame 

 

This was going cheap