Is it me? Why more support for dog rescue than cat rescue?

[redalter]

Maybe it’s because I saw that darn commercial again. The ASPCA one.

They show 9 dog pictures to 1 cat picture. Then the other day, I was looking on local and not so local rescue sites - always dogs, dogs, dogs, oh, and yes a cat.
And whenever I get mailings it always seems lots of dog pictures, few cat ones.

It always seems cats get the short end of the rescue/attention stick.

Not that I have anything against dogs, but you do often hear “well, it’s just a cat, or just a barn cat”, etc.

People will drive right on by a distressed or injured cat ( not all, but more than not), but so many stop for a dog.

I openly admit to being cat biased, but I think part of that has grown up over the years that cats don’t get any respect.
They are often the Rodney Dangerfield of pets.
:lol::no:

[dressagetraks]

Can’t answer your question about why, but I definitely agree with you. I have noted exactly that same thing with that commercial.

[redalter]

[QUOTE=dressagetraks;8873844]
Can’t answer your question about why, but I definitely agree with you. I have noted exactly that same thing with that commercial.[/QUOTE]

Yes!

Maybe I’m just tired when I see it - it’s usually at the end of the day, but it makes me so annoyed.

But it is a theme. I just don’t get it. Makes me more determined to help cat rescues.

[vacation1]

There are 2 crisis situations left in sheltering. Dog overpopulation is basically done. The only dogs that have a real massive overpopulation issue are the pit bulls. Meanwhile, the cats are in the same position they were in 40 years ago - horrific overpopulation, and resulting devaluation because they’re so plentiful. Because the pit bull breeders are so loud and aggressive, the shelter/rescue community has chosen to devote the bulk of its time and resources on efforts to rehome their products, thus rewarding and renewing their selfish and frankly batshit culture of mass overproduction. As a bonus, they also fight BSL tooth and nail, further removing any incentive pit breeders have to quit making new euthanization fodder.

It says a tremendous amount that the biggest advance in cat sheltering in the past 20 years or so has been the transformation of needy stray cats into supposedly happy and free feral colonies. It kind of takes the ‘shelter’ out of the equation, somehow.

[Perfect10]

[QUOTE=vacation1;8874222]
There are 2 crisis situations left in sheltering. Dog overpopulation is basically done. The only dogs that have a real massive overpopulation issue are the pit bulls. Meanwhile, the cats are in the same position they were in 40 years ago - horrific overpopulation, and resulting devaluation because they’re so plentiful. Because the pit bull breeders are so loud and aggressive, the shelter/rescue community has chosen to devote the bulk of its time and resources on efforts to rehome their products, thus rewarding and renewing their selfish and frankly batshit culture of mass overproduction. As a bonus, they also fight BSL tooth and nail, further removing any incentive pit breeders have to quit making new euthanization fodder.

It says a tremendous amount that the biggest advance in cat sheltering in the past 20 years or so has been the transformation of needy stray cats into supposedly happy and free feral colonies. It kind of takes the ‘shelter’ out of the equation, somehow.[/QUOTE]

I totally disagree with you. I am active in both cat and dog rescue. Dog overpopulation is still a huge problem, though maybe cat overpopulation is a bigger problem. It’s not just pit bulls that we have too many of, either. Terrier types, shepherd types, hound types (especially beagles), chihuahua types, are all plentiful at any shelter. Unless it’s small and fluffy, it desperately needs a rescue to step up to save it from animal control.

Cats have always been the less popular pet, though more people in the world own cats. They aren’t seen as much since they don’t go places with their owners, and there’s always the “crazy cat lady” stigma. A LOT of people say they don’t like cats and love dogs. The media perpetuates the “cats are a-holes” stereotype. Media wise, dogs are the favored animal and people believe them that dogs are better. Plus, cats can’t do a lot of what dogs do, like pull a child out of a burning building or take down criminals. They don’t make the news. Out of sight, out of mind. But I think the biggest issue is that people don’t think cats need help. They figure a cat running across the road is feral and don’t think twice about helping it. Because we don’t have a big feral dog population, they assume dogs are lost or stray.

Well managed feral colonies have been a huge blessing to the unadoptable cat. Rescues who are willing to pull these cats from AC save them from certain death, and we need more like them. Good feral colonies are fixed, vaccinated, and have plentiful food and space, so they don’t destroy the ecosystem around them or irritate the neighbors. There are plenty of cats who will never thrive in a home environment, and they deserve to live too.

[Kachina]

Wow, PT, you know whereof you speak. Just took two adorable (unfortunately black) tiny kittens that had been thrown over the fence into a neighbor’s yard to local shelter. Neighbor’s dogs found and killed a remaining kitten next day. The shelter is inundated with kittens and have resorted to giving them away rather than euth all of them. We have a bunch of rescues ourselves, so couldn’t take them in. Staff explained that since they were too young to spay/neuter, euth was likely as they are out of room. If they were old enough to spay/neuter, that’s a better chance for them as they would also be vaccinated and ear tipped and released into a feral colony. They were completely socialized, highly adoptable lap kitties already from whoever threw them over the fence and I cried all the way home. The South has a zillion at risk dogs of every breed, and 2 zillion lil kitties who are never going to have a chance.

[Louise]

I think the dog population problem varies depending on what part of the country you live in. Where I am, it is true that the local shelters have primarily the pit bull types. Most of the rescues around here that have different types of dogs actually get them from the South. The exception to this is usually when the local Humane Society is involved in a cruelty case involving puppy mills.

The cat problem, around here is still large. While feral colonies are plentiful, and TNR very much in evidence, the city, in particular, is beginning to push back against this model. There just doesn’t seem to be the level of caring and sympathy that exists for dogs. I’m not sure why cats and dogs are regarded so differently, but I have certainly seen ample evidence that the difference exists.

As for that ASPCA ad, the whiny thing irritates me so much that I usually walk out of the room when it comes on, so I hadn’t noticed that particular difference.

[Rain]

This saddens me, but it’s true. People regard cats as less important and more easily disposable. Even animal lovers! I have several horse friends who will go to the ends of the earth for the best possible care for their dogs and horses, but the cats are on their own. The cats get shitty, cheap food and no vet care.

I foster (more cats than dogs) and it baffles me how these incredibly sweet, loving cats get dumped. My current foster is THE friendliest guy. He’d put a Golden Retriever to shame. Yet he was found on the street, most likely dumped because he’s clearly not wild or feral, and then stayed 2-3 weeks in a high kill shelter til the rescue pulled him. HOW did he get passed over??

Anyway. I guess it’s partly because there are so many (thus readily available commodity) and partly because cats have a reputation for being independent and aloof.

[Marshfield]

[QUOTE=Perfect10;8874258]
I totally disagree with you. I am active in both cat and dog rescue. Dog overpopulation is still a huge problem, though maybe cat overpopulation is a bigger problem. .[/QUOTE]

But, it’s not in many parts of the country. We do NOT have an issue with dog overpopulation in New England. Spay/neuter is standard. The only reason we had young dogs for adoption in the shelters is the giant migration of dogs on trucks from other parts of the country.

In Maine, the state program for spay/neuter is for cats and pitbulls. The local shelter has even started to get a handle on the cat issue with offering $25 spays. After a few years of this, they’re no longer drowning in kittens each year

[redalter]

[QUOTE=Perfect10;8874258]
I totally disagree with you. I am active in both cat and dog rescue. Dog overpopulation is still a huge problem, though maybe cat overpopulation is a bigger problem. It’s not just pit bulls that we have too many of, either. Terrier types, shepherd types, hound types (especially beagles), chihuahua types, are all plentiful at any shelter. Unless it’s small and fluffy, it desperately needs a rescue to step up to save it from animal control.

Cats have always been the less popular pet, though more people in the world own cats. They aren’t seen as much since they don’t go places with their owners, and there’s always the “crazy cat lady” stigma. A LOT of people say they don’t like cats and love dogs. The media perpetuates the “cats are a-holes” stereotype. Media wise, dogs are the favored animal and people believe them that dogs are better. Plus, cats can’t do a lot of what dogs do, like pull a child out of a burning building or take down criminals. They don’t make the news. Out of sight, out of mind. But I think the biggest issue is that people don’t think cats need help. They figure a cat running across the road is feral and don’t think twice about helping it. Because we don’t have a big feral dog population, they assume dogs are lost or stray.

Well managed feral colonies have been a huge blessing to the unadoptable cat. Rescues who are willing to pull these cats from AC save them from certain death, and we need more like them. Good feral colonies are fixed, vaccinated, and have plentiful food and space, so they don’t destroy the ecosystem around them or irritate the neighbors. There are plenty of cats who will never thrive in a home environment, and they deserve to live too.[/QUOTE]

AWESOME post. AWESOME.

Thank you for this, you hit on so many of the realities out there. Even on TV, a sitcom, or movie, very rarely is the cat portrayed in a positive light.

[redalter]

[QUOTE=Rain;8874577]
This saddens me, but it’s true. People regard cats as less important and more easily disposable. Even animal lovers! I have several horse friends who will go to the ends of the earth for the best possible care for their dogs and horses, but the cats are on their own. The cats get shitty, cheap food and no vet care.

I foster (more cats than dogs) and it baffles me how these incredibly sweet, loving cats get dumped. My current foster is THE friendliest guy. He’d put a Golden Retriever to shame. Yet he was found on the street, most likely dumped because he’s clearly not wild or feral, and then stayed 2-3 weeks in a high kill shelter til the rescue pulled him. HOW did he get passed over??

Anyway. I guess it’s partly because there are so many (thus readily available commodity) and partly because cats have a reputation for being independent and aloof.[/QUOTE]

This is so true, and it really ticks me off.
I was at a pretty upscale barn a couple of years ago, looking at a horse. The dogs came gamboling out, while talking to the seller/owner. There was an elderly cat, in okay shape, that was walking down the aisle. The dogs ran and bowled him over, rousted him, chased him a bit, then moved on. The cat just sat there for a bit, then slowly shuffled off, covered with dog spit.

I looked at the owner. I was horrified. “Oh, they’re just playing he doesn’t mind”

I did not buy the horse. And yes, it was part of my decision. And this person is well known and well respected in the eventing community, used to sell horses, now has gotten out of that end, but still involved in the community as an owner to some bigger names.

Often posts on FB about all kinds of stuff, how much they love their dogs, etc.
The cats?
Who cares?
:mad:

[Velvet]

Maybe cats have a bad rep because many cat owners are worse than many dog owners? Meaning, many people with cats think they need to run free, and what they do is kill wildlife or run out in the street, etc. So people get annoyed? I don’t know, I like cats. Then again, I don’t want one because I won’t declaw it, and I don’t want my furniture torn up. I can control the dog when it comes to furniture, cats will sharpen their claws on anything. Or maybe it’s that cats often give off the attitude that they don’t need people, and dogs usually act like that can’t live without people? Just some thoughts off the top of my head. I don’t really know.

[Dramapony_misty]

Maybe also that cats tend to wander alot more than dogs so to see “wandering kitty” (at least in a semi-rural area) is not uncommon. Example, we have a super-cute, super-friendly neighborhood cat. She was obviously someone’s house cat at one point in time because she was soooo friendly and wanted IN the house so bad. She was also super-skinny.

She followed me home from a neighbor’s house one night and I couldn’t turn her away. I didn’t have cat food, so made due with some tuna, milk, and water. At least something to fill her belly. I let he stay on our enclosed back porch overnight (she wanted to come into the house so bad, but I wasn’t prepared for that at all and didn’t want to let her in until I could treat for fleas and such), and even made her a little cozy cat house out of an old rug and some boxes.

I fed her the next morning and left the outside door open. Didn’t see her again for over 2 weeks. Now, she just wanders from house to house to check out who has food. I leave out a dish for dry food for her when I see her in the area (the day after she spent the night, I went out and bought her food and a cute dish so I’m prepared now).

[vali]

People go crazy for dogs and cut them more slack than they do cats/kittens or even babies. I just flew on a flight with our new puppy in a sherpa carrier, and despite her luckily brief howling/crying when we first got on the flight she was universally greeted with kindness and adoration, quite unlike when I have flown with a kitten or human babies. The flight attendants wanted to take pictures with her and the couple in front of me offered to babysit. Luckily she settled quickly and had a quiet flight but it’s amazing to me how much more accommodating people are to puppies and dogs.

[Kachina]

I wish that there were more cat specific veterinary practices. I run into the rare vet or tech occasionally who has more, or even as much of an affinity for cats than/as dogs, and it really makes a difference. They don’t immediately go into autoscruff mode and they take their time assessing temperament and tolerance level.

[Pippigirl]

[QUOTE=Velvet;8874762]
Maybe cats have a bad rep because many cat owners are worse than many dog owners? Meaning, many people with cats think they need to run free, and what they do is kill wildlife or run out in the street, etc. So people get annoyed? I don’t know, I like cats. Then again, I don’t want one because I won’t declaw it, and I don’t want my furniture torn up. I can control the dog when it comes to furniture, cats will sharpen their claws on anything. Or maybe it’s that cats often give off the attitude that they don’t need people, and dogs usually act like that can’t live without people? Just some thoughts off the top of my head. I don’t really know. :)[/QUOTE]

Meh, not necessarily true about clawing the furniture btw. Cats will sharpen their claws on anything unless you do something to correct it. Provide places for them to use. Redirect them away from the furniture. I have three cats all from a shelter. They all have their claws and they don’t claw the furniture. I had cat trees made for mine that they love scratching (has sisal rope on the posts).

[Pippigirl]

[QUOTE=redalter;8874717]

Often posts on FB about all kinds of stuff, how much they love their dogs, etc.
The cats?
Who cares?
:mad:[/QUOTE]

Yeh that upsets me too. I wouldn’t have been happy about the treatment towards the oldster kitty.

[Marshfield]

[QUOTE=Kachina;8875716]
I wish that there were more cat specific veterinary practices. I run into the rare vet or tech occasionally who has more, or even as much of an affinity for cats than/as dogs, and it really makes a difference. They don’t immediately go into autoscruff mode and they take their time assessing temperament and tolerance level.[/QUOTE]

I have a cats only room in my place and no waiting room. I do my darndest not to scruff. I find most of my cat patients like snuggling in to the sweaters I wear much of the year. And even cranky kitties usually love my husband/receptionist. But, we cheerfully share our office with a sometimes difficult Snowshoe and have two more at home.

[Kachina]

Marshfield, I can tell from your posts that you’re a very compassionate and informed vet. So appreciate your input on this forum. If I were fortunate enough to still live in Maine, I would so seek you out, especially for my kitties. But my dogs too. Ever consider a move to a warmer clime, like say, South Carolina? Well, not right now. Hurricane and all that…

[Perfect10]

[QUOTE=Velvet;8874762]
Maybe cats have a bad rep because many cat owners are worse than many dog owners? Meaning, many people with cats think they need to run free, and what they do is kill wildlife or run out in the street, etc. So people get annoyed? I don’t know, I like cats. Then again, I don’t want one because I won’t declaw it, and I don’t want my furniture torn up. I can control the dog when it comes to furniture, cats will sharpen their claws on anything. Or maybe it’s that cats often give off the attitude that they don’t need people, and dogs usually act like that can’t live without people? Just some thoughts off the top of my head. I don’t really know. :)[/QUOTE]

But that’s not necessarily true. I have 8 cats currently living with me. Not one is declawed. I have a LOT of scratching posts. They get used. My cats don’t scratch the furniture because they know it isn’t allowed. The newcomer is still learning, but 80% of the time he gets it. They are trainable just like dogs. You housebreak a dog to know where it is appropriate to eliminate and you housebreak a cat to know where it is appropriate to scratch. People think cats are uncontrolable, do whatever they want kinds of animals, and they aren’t. If cats can be trained to be in the movies, they can certianly be trained not to scratch your couch. Not picking on you, Velvet, just saying that that’s no excuse not to have a cat. If they aren’t your cup of tea that’s totally fine, but scratching the furniture can be fixed.