My Pet World: Readers share their thoughts

Here are a pawful of comments from readers, some who like me, others not so much!

COMMENT: "Your recent advice to a reader suggesting that someone has the right to kill a cat that strolls through their yard (and may or may not leave feces or urine) was ill-advised.

"I have a strong love for all animals. I have four rescue dogs that stay in my yard, and two rescue cats that never go out. I've made many rescues and volunteered at our local animal shelter. I live in the suburbs with a large yard. I'm also a caretaker for a feral cat colony. These strays mostly stay in my yard, but sometimes wander into neighbors' yards.

"One neighbor has killed a stray. To give such people the authority to simply eliminate roaming cats is illegal. Many people will skip the shelter if they think it's OK to kill any animal that wanders into their yard. There are no laws to prohibit a cat from going outdoors, but there are laws to prevent people from stealing or destroying personal property. You truly should rethink, and retract, that response." -- P.C., Hartford, CT

MY REPLY: I have never endorsed killing cats. In fact, for years, I've been a leading proponent of trap-neuter-return programs to care for feral cats. You've taken what I did say completely out of context.

Here's the conundrum: A reader wrote to me saying she didn't want cats in her yard. She referred to owned cats from the neighborhood. As much as I love cats, I realized she had the legal right not to have her garden destroyed by these pets, which is what she claimed was happening. I never suggested she harm the cats.

The reader had tried to reason with her neighbor, whose cats were using her garden as a litter box. I suggested she try fencing or other deterrents. If these efforts failed, she wondered what she should do.

In such cases, I do say that if all else fails, people should take the cats to a shelter, and leave information with shelter staff about their owner(s). You're right that taking this action could potentially result in the cats being euthanized. Of course, I wouldn't want that, but the reader has rights, too. If you can offer an another solution to her problem, I'd like to hear it.

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COMMENT: "I ran an animal rescue program for 16 years. During those years, I received many ferrets. Of course, I fell in love with them. How could you not? I'm now involved with legalization efforts regarding the ban on ferrets in California. For me, it's very personal, as I've seen many relinquished ferrets with illnesses that could have been treated. Instead, the owners were too afraid to take their pets to a vet and risk confiscation.

I love that when I Goggled 'ferrets in California,' you were the third link that came up. I'm glad you pointed out the obvious and didn't sugarcoat public officials' wrong-headed position. Thank you for putting yourself out, and the word out, to help educate people." -- L.L., via cyberspace

MY REPLY: I'm glad Google and you like me, but I'm unhappy that public officials in California remain steadfast about the ban, for no particular reason, as ferrets are hardly a public danger. The concern, I believe, is that if ferrets get loose they'll form colonies (like feral cats), increase in numbers and impact the environment.

Nearly all pet ferrets are spay/neutered (making reproduction a challenge). There isn't an example of a ferret colony in the U.S., although ferrets are legal in all other states (except Hawaii). In fact, when they do get outdoors, they die.

California ferret owners who don't seek veterinary care are either misinformed or offering an excuse, as select veterinarians in California do treat these little guys, usually without incident.

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COMMENT: "Fat pets need more exercise, less love. I keep telling owners of fat dogs and cats that their pets are suffering. Your columns and comments about overweight pets should go viral and be posted at every vet and groomer office, and on their Facebook pages." -- L.C., via cyberspace

MY REPLY: Indeed, over half of all pet dogs and cats are overweight or obese, which does impact their quality of life, and potentially their lifespan. Feel free to share my columns and subscribe to my blog: www.chicagonow.com/stevedale.

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COMMENT: "You don't write enough about what you do, sometimes behind the scenes, for pet health, from encouraging veterinary visits (which saves lives) to creating the Ricky Fund. I'm one grateful veterinarian, if nothing else, for the content you provide for our Facebook page." -- F.S., Las Vegas, NV

MY REPLY: Thanks for the kind words. I named the Ricky Fund for our cat, who died in 2002 of the most common heart disease in cats, feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We've since raised about $100,000 to fund studies with the Winn Feline Foundation to better understand the disease. The hope is to eventually find a treatment.

Researchers have created an inexpensive cheek swab test to discern if an individual Maine Coon or Ragdoll cat carries the genetic defect, but there's much more to be done. Learn more at www.winnfelinefoundtion.org.

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COMMENT: "I'm allergic to pets -- and allergic to you. Stop it!" -- B.F., via cyberspace

MY REPLY: I can offer you an antihistamine, and a tissue, but that's about all.

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