Your cat is killing the Earth — but you can prevent it [barf]

Deutsche Welle ^ | 08.08.2017 | Irene Baños Ruiz

[Olog-hai]

To honor cats on the International Cat Day, DW encourages their human companions to protect the planet we all share. From carbon pawprint to waste to wildlife, it is in our hands to take up better practices.

Your cat’s sweet purring and loving, contented looks won’t change the fact that it’s guilty for the planet’s suffering — just like we are.

A recent study confirms that pets’ meat-based diet has a fatal impact on the climate, due mainly to high carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, our loyal friends are big resource consumers and waste creators. The situation is particularly worrisome considering the paradigm shift in the human-pet relationship in emerging economies such as China. Moreover, cats that go or live outdoors eat urban wildlife, particularly newborn chicks. Environmental groups are calling for an to end this vicious cycle. So is it possible to love and respect your pet, while still protecting the planet? […]

“Cats tend to kill weak and sickly birds, so it is not clear whether cat predation replaces other forms of death, or is in addition to natural death,” Sarah Elliott, central veterinary officer with Cats Protection, said in a press release. […]

Reducing the CO₂ emissions is more of a challenge. A vegetarian diet is not an option for a cat. Owners can, however, switch to organic feed —which supports biodiversity and reduces pollution since it avoids pesticides —and more environmentally friendly packaging. They can also avoid using hot water for cleaning the litterbox —and above all, buy compostable cat litter. …

[Jamestown1630]

I think I’d draw the line at Ravens; but I don’t see any reason why people should be barred from taking crows as pets. They are still regarded as pests wherever they roost in large numbers, and there’s nothing ‘endangered’ about them.

I’m sorry for your loss of your cat.

[cyn]

hahaha, that is purrfect!