<http://tinyurl.com/yj4k2hl>

i was surprised by some of the differences -
i wonder if they UNDERcounted cats, by counting
cats-as-pets ** only ** if the family not only fed them,
but permitted them indoors?

i have a feeling there are a lot of cats that are fed
by a particular person/family, who do not live primarily,
or even visit, indoors -  just as here in the USA.

what do U think?
10% of the popn having cats seems -way- too-low,  to me...
  ----  terry

It seems low to me too, but now that I think back to the folks I've met over there, they all had dogs.  And I can only recall seeing one cat out on its own (definitely not feral as it was super friendly) in my two trips there, while I met countless dogs roaming the areas (I have plenty of pictures of me and random dogs in Ireland who just sort of came up to me, no owner around).  Interesting.

hey, chrys!   :--)

i was just chatting with 2 fellow-IPDTA-niks, both in Ireland -
and both agree that even the folks who feed one or two cats in their garden,
or let them sleep in their shed, do not consider that they *own* the beasts -
dogs have owners, cats go where they will.
the prevailing attitude is that cats are vermin - many shoot them,
bev said that one client came to the vet-surgery where she works with
his cat ** hidden under a long mac! ** so his neighbors would not think
he was daft, *wasting* money on a vet-bill for a cat! (he had run the poor
thing over when the cat darted across behind the car - the kitty recovered).

one of the 2 lives in a very rural area, she says 8 houses of 10 have at least
one cat that they feed outdoors, but do not S/N, have any shots, or allow
indoors - nor is this referred to as *my* cat, but THE cat.  * sigh *

a fellow-trainer here in the USA, when i said i had no label for such a cat,
(never allowed inside, no vet-care, little handling just food) said -livestock-.
that certainly would not be a pet, so i guess Livestock is a good label!
i think it is very sad.  outdoor-cats lead a pretty miserable existence,
especially the poor queens - anytime the photoperiod is long-day,
they are either in estrus + assaulted, preg or nursing, or both! 

hopefully that attitude will change... Soon.
ta,
 ---  terry