The Impossibility of Eradicating Domestic Cats

Would it be easy to get rid of all the domestic cats in the world? In truth, it would not be easy. It would be impossible.

Uncontainable Feline Populations

Attempting to clear an area of cats and move on would likely be futile. New cats would continually move in to fill the void. I have a personal experience with this. My own cat has been known to hide in my house, evading detection for stretches of time. It is a testament to their resourcefulness and ability to adapt.

The Reality of Feral Cats

Feral cats are a stark reality. They survive on a wide variety of prey, including birds, bird eggs, mice, grasshoppers, fish, maggots, and even random large mammal deaths. These cats are often stray house cats from owners who have passed away unreported or escaped from domestication. Eliminating feral cats would be a massive undertaking, akin to chasing a shadow up a mountain.

It is currently estimated that in the Dakotas of the USA, feral cats outnumber all wildlife. House cats are one of the most naturally over-selected for survival among animals, outperforming even obligate carnivores like themselves.

The Ethical and Practical Implications

The notion of eradicating cats is ethically and practically unsound. Cats are beloved animals, and their existence should be respected. Humans are far more destructive and parasitic than cats. Additionally, cats play a vital role in nature by controlling the population of disease-carrying vermin like mice and rats.

History and Cats’ Role in Humanity

The idea of eradicating cats is a tragic reminder of past ecological disasters. In the Middle Ages, a misguided attempt to control the rat population in human homes led to the Bubonic Plague, which killed a significant portion of the European population. This was due to infected fleas living on rats and mice, which were unchecked in human environments.

Cats are not just beautiful; they are intelligent and sentient beings. Anyone who attempts to harm them or their offspring in my home would face severe consequences.

My cat, with its unique blue eyes, stands as a reminder of the joy and companionship that cats bring to our lives. Eradicating cats would not only be cruel and misguided but would also be an affront to the natural world and a disregard for the lives of these cherished animals.