Cat Parks

"Cat Protector" wrote in message
news:duU_b.1128$1k.962@okepread01...
Well I was asked by one of the candidates running for the Scottsdale city
council how it would work. My idea is to have an indoor facility possibly
with scratching posts, water stations, stuff to climb on, and of course a
litter area if the cats need to go potty.

That sounds like my house. Why on earth would anyone go though putting
their cats in a carrier and listening to them howl in the car in order to
bring them to a room with scratching posts (woo hoo!) and a bunch of people
and cats they don't know, so they can then go find something to hide under,
or, hiss and get in a fight with the stranger cats. Just go Google cat
introductions and you will see how many cats can't stand the sight of other
cats. Most cats that are fine with other cats don't go run up and play with
them, either. It usually takes some time for the cats to get used to one
another. Most cats don't like being in unfamiliar places.

The outdoor version might have
these things but humans could walk their kitty on a leash and harness.
There
could also be an area for cats that like to go outside but may not get
along
with other cats. It certainly would be a great way for other cat lovers to
socialize. BTW, this candidate for City Council is a cat person and has
cats
so if he elected he seemed open to the idea.

Still don't understand why this is needed. If you walk your cats on a
leash, why do you need a designated place to do it? I thought the idea of a
dog park is so the dogs can run off leash. Cat people can socialize many
other ways, like volunteering at an animal shelter.

I also brought up the issue of making declawing illegal within city
limits.
There is already an animal abuse code in Scottsdale so it could be
ammended
to include declawing.

OK, there's something I agree with. I wish it was illegal in the whole
country.

The candidate I spoke with says his cats are not
declawed and the ones roaming in his neighborhood shouldn't be.

Huh? Is someone going around declawing stray cats?

It was
certainly enough for me to want to vote for the guy (besides other
issues).
I hope he gets in because maybe my dream of a cat park and a law against
declawing could become reality. Of course an anti-declaw law is not
unusual
since apparently North Hollywood has one so it would be nice if the city
of
Scottsdale has one. It'd have to be a wait and see since the elections for
Mayor and City Council are in a couple of weeks.


I agree with the other posters. Your efforts would be better spent working
on that would truly help cats like TNR programs for ferals and aid for
shelters, not cat parks.

--
-Kelly
kelly at farringtons dot net
Check out www.snittens.com

Most cats would have all this in their homes. Why on earth would they
need the stress of being leashed and dragged off to "socialise" with
strange cats (cats, who are a nonsocial, territorial species)?
And asking cats to pee in a public litterox? The whole idea is bizarre
bordering on creepy.

Absolutely. The only cats I know who are that social are show cats. And believe
me, show cat's owners would die before they'd let their cats fraternize with
strange cats *or* their owners, because of disease risk.

Most cats would have all this in their homes. Why on earth would they
need the stress of being leashed and dragged off to "socialise" with
strange cats (cats, who are a nonsocial, territorial species)?
And asking cats to pee in a public litterox? The whole idea is bizarre
bordering on creepy.

Absolutely. The only cats I know who are that social are show cats. And believe
me, show cat's owners would die before they'd let their cats fraternize with
strange cats *or* their owners, because of disease risk.

"Cat Protector" wrote in message news:n0N_b.332$1k.107@okepread01...
Right now they have dog parks in the city where we live that are sponsored
by the city, but I couldn't help but think that maybe we cat lovers should
also have place to go with our feline friends that is sponsored by the city.
What do you all think?

I don't think that most cats would enjoy a cat park. First, many cats
don't enjoy riding in a car. And bringing cats to a new place,
outdoors (where maybe they haven't been before), with a bunch of other
unfamiliar cats, could be a disaster. And just because your cat may
enjoy meeting other felines in your home doesn't mean that they will
in a strange place. (I volunteer in at our local humane society and
have seen the reaction of cats, even ones who've been there a while
and have seen other cats. It's not always positive.)

I think that if a cat enjoys traveling/going to new places, the owner
should consider options that don't involve such confrontations. Some
examples are going to the pet store or getting your cat approved to
visit nursing homes/hospitals etc.

*gets off soap box*

Rene

"Cat Protector" wrote in message news:n0N_b.332$1k.107@okepread01...
Right now they have dog parks in the city where we live that are sponsored
by the city, but I couldn't help but think that maybe we cat lovers should
also have place to go with our feline friends that is sponsored by the city.
What do you all think?

I don't think that most cats would enjoy a cat park. First, many cats
don't enjoy riding in a car. And bringing cats to a new place,
outdoors (where maybe they haven't been before), with a bunch of other
unfamiliar cats, could be a disaster. And just because your cat may
enjoy meeting other felines in your home doesn't mean that they will
in a strange place. (I volunteer in at our local humane society and
have seen the reaction of cats, even ones who've been there a while
and have seen other cats. It's not always positive.)

I think that if a cat enjoys traveling/going to new places, the owner
should consider options that don't involve such confrontations. Some
examples are going to the pet store or getting your cat approved to
visit nursing homes/hospitals etc.

*gets off soap box*

Rene

Some cats actually like to be outdoors and travel. A cat park might be a
nice way for human and cat to enjoy the experience together without having
to worry about the cat going to far. There are cats that can walk on a leash
and harness so a safe area where human and cat can walk is always nice to
have. As for the public litterbox idea, each box would have plastic bags so
you could spread it out in the box then use fresh cat litter for each cat.
It may be a bizarre idea for a cat park but no more weider than dog parks.
Yes, some might say dog parks are a nice idea because dogs are social
animals but that would prove untrue. There has already been a dog killed by
another dog at one of these parks but that was because at the dog park
humans are allowed the option of their dog being off the leash and a large
dog attacked a smaller one. That already proved a double standard.

One of the other reasons for a cat park is because some humans who are
active or like the fresh air would like to share that experience with a cat
that is a real escape artist. There have been times that I'll be out in the
fresh air walking and stop to watch the birds and say to myself "it'd be
cool if Isis or Jade were here." Isis is leash and harnessed trained so it
would be a feasible option for her.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Diane L. Schirf" wrote in
message news21%b.20948
Most cats would have all this in their homes. Why on earth would they
need the stress of being leashed and dragged off to "socialise" with
strange cats (cats, who are a nonsocial, territorial species)?
And asking cats to pee in a public litterox? The whole idea is bizarre
bordering on creepy.

--
http://www.mindspring.com/~slywy/
http://slywy.diaryland.com/

Some cats actually like to be outdoors and travel. A cat park might be a
nice way for human and cat to enjoy the experience together without having
to worry about the cat going to far. There are cats that can walk on a leash
and harness so a safe area where human and cat can walk is always nice to
have. As for the public litterbox idea, each box would have plastic bags so
you could spread it out in the box then use fresh cat litter for each cat.
It may be a bizarre idea for a cat park but no more weider than dog parks.
Yes, some might say dog parks are a nice idea because dogs are social
animals but that would prove untrue. There has already been a dog killed by
another dog at one of these parks but that was because at the dog park
humans are allowed the option of their dog being off the leash and a large
dog attacked a smaller one. That already proved a double standard.

One of the other reasons for a cat park is because some humans who are
active or like the fresh air would like to share that experience with a cat
that is a real escape artist. There have been times that I'll be out in the
fresh air walking and stop to watch the birds and say to myself "it'd be
cool if Isis or Jade were here." Isis is leash and harnessed trained so it
would be a feasible option for her.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Diane L. Schirf" wrote in
message news21%b.20948
Most cats would have all this in their homes. Why on earth would they
need the stress of being leashed and dragged off to "socialise" with
strange cats (cats, who are a nonsocial, territorial species)?
And asking cats to pee in a public litterox? The whole idea is bizarre
bordering on creepy.

--
http://www.mindspring.com/~slywy/
http://slywy.diaryland.com/

Show cats have also gotten used to other cats at a young age. Another group
of cats that might enjoy the park are shelter cats. I know some of the
shelters out there have cat rooms where the cats interact with each other.
Sure there are a few spats but they are minor. Once adopted from these
shelters some of these cats are easily sociable with already exisiting cats.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Fat Freddy" wrote in message
...

I know there are exceptions, like show cats for example, but in my
experience most cats don't seem to enjoy being around large numbers of
other cats or being too near humans other than their owners.

Show cats have also gotten used to other cats at a young age. Another group
of cats that might enjoy the park are shelter cats. I know some of the
shelters out there have cat rooms where the cats interact with each other.
Sure there are a few spats but they are minor. Once adopted from these
shelters some of these cats are easily sociable with already exisiting cats.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Fat Freddy" wrote in message
...

I know there are exceptions, like show cats for example, but in my
experience most cats don't seem to enjoy being around large numbers of
other cats or being too near humans other than their owners.

Well, the indoor version would also have some things our homes don't have
like climbing tubes, more advanced cat towers (the kind you wished your cat
had but can't afford), benches for the humans to sit on with their cats, and
the list goes on. A cat park also might be beneficial for those who cats and
would like to get them used to cat shows. Some cat shows have HHP (Household
Pet) categories where you can show off your cat that isn't show quality. A
cat park might be the way to go for those who want to get their cats used to
being around other cats.

I myself have been thinking of going to another cat show with Isis (I can't
bring Jade because CFA shows don't allow declaws) since in some ways she is
just fine with them. There was only one time she had an uncomfortable
situation at one however but that was because Isis was benched in the ring
next to a cat who took a swipe at one of the judges which set her off. I was
then told by one of the show's workers that the cat was not supposed to be
even next to Isis. Nonetheless, the next day Isis was normalizing and by the
last ring was much calmer. So despite some cats not always being the most
social of creatures with other felines there was also that possibility that
Isis could get used to the shows. She just needs to go to more of them to
get used to the sounds and smells.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"KellyH" wrote in message
news:jC0%b.399370$xy6.2301539@attbi_s02...

That sounds like my house. Why on earth would anyone go though putting
their cats in a carrier and listening to them howl in the car in order to
bring them to a room with scratching posts (woo hoo!) and a bunch of
people
and cats they don't know, so they can then go find something to hide
under,
or, hiss and get in a fight with the stranger cats. Just go Google cat
introductions and you will see how many cats can't stand the sight of
other
cats. Most cats that are fine with other cats don't go run up and play
with
them, either. It usually takes some time for the cats to get used to one
another. Most cats don't like being in unfamiliar places.

The outdoor version might have
these things but humans could walk their kitty on a leash and harness.
There
could also be an area for cats that like to go outside but may not get
along
with other cats. It certainly would be a great way for other cat lovers
to
socialize. BTW, this candidate for City Council is a cat person and has
cats
so if he elected he seemed open to the idea.

Still don't understand why this is needed. If you walk your cats on a
leash, why do you need a designated place to do it? I thought the idea of
a
dog park is so the dogs can run off leash. Cat people can socialize many
other ways, like volunteering at an animal shelter.

I also brought up the issue of making declawing illegal within city
limits.
There is already an animal abuse code in Scottsdale so it could be
ammended
to include declawing.

OK, there's something I agree with. I wish it was illegal in the whole
country.

The candidate I spoke with says his cats are not
declawed and the ones roaming in his neighborhood shouldn't be.

Huh? Is someone going around declawing stray cats?

It was
certainly enough for me to want to vote for the guy (besides other
issues).
I hope he gets in because maybe my dream of a cat park and a law against
declawing could become reality. Of course an anti-declaw law is not
unusual
since apparently North Hollywood has one so it would be nice if the city
of
Scottsdale has one. It'd have to be a wait and see since the elections
for
Mayor and City Council are in a couple of weeks.


I agree with the other posters. Your efforts would be better spent
working
on that would truly help cats like TNR programs for ferals and aid for
shelters, not cat parks.

--
-Kelly
kelly at farringtons dot net
Check out www.snittens.com