Posted by newshound on June 6, 2008 at 5:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This just sounds cruel and inhumane. The cats should be captured and sent to a safe place where they are more fit for the environment.

Posted by Tom_Johnston on June 6, 2008 at 5:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Again, this is an awful, but probably necessary thing.

I am a cat fan, have had many (two currently), including one semi-feral cat that worked out ok, but was difficult to domesticate initially even as a kitten.

These animals don't belong there, and their presence is equally cruel to the indigenous sea bird life that is there. Think about that.

Caging or otherwise confining animals like these would be just another cruelty. They are probably not adoptable. If you really feel strong about this, go down the animal shelter and rescue a domesticated kitty that deserves a shot at a good life as I have done in the past.

Posted by Ms_California on June 6, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yeah I don't think I would want to adopt one of these cats and have them around my kids. If they are wild they have wild instincts. I am not for harming them but if they are causing damage then putting them down is probably the best option. They may be better off, I can't think that their lives are that great now. Hunting for food, shelter etc. I know I am gonna get ATTACKED by the PETA people on here. But just let me finish by saying that I have had many cats and dogs in my life and all of them were pound puppies/kitties. I love animals and I would never want to see them harm. But if it is a matter of safety or safety of others then what has to be done has to be done.

Posted by Josey on June 6, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The reason this won't work is that they will never get them all. Killing 99% of the cats won't work... because one unaltered female and one unaltered male will grow into another huge feral cat colony.

However, if they spayed and neutered them, rather than killing them - they could release them back to their home. YES, this is their home.

Wait, stay with me.

If they released them, the environment would at least have time to re-adjust to a declining feral cat population as they died off from old age.

Decimating a population (even an introduced species) never "fixes" the problem. Haven't people learned this by now? Killing most (or even all, though it won't happen) of the cats will shift the balance of the ecosystem so far that prey species the cats have kept in check will inevitably overpopulate and create huge problems... like it always does in situations like this.

There is no "quick fix" as the Fish and Wildlife department seem to suggest. I keep waiting for them to learn from their mistakes.

Posted by Josey on June 6, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I forgot to ask..

Regarding this comment.. "I can't think that their lives are that great now. Hunting for food, shelter etc."

Why is being lazy and spoiled automatically the *best* way to live? Hunting, living in the wild, wherever that may be, is a great way to live! Just because most "civilized," fat, lazy, unhealthy human beings can't hack it in the wilderness - doesn't mean it's a bad way to live.

Posted by imonlysayin on June 6, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Josey - why would you assume that they can't catch all of them to kill them, but they could catch them all to spay and neutar? Your theory doesn't work in either case because either way all they need to do is miss one female and one male.

I too am a cat owner but agree that this is the best way to handle the situation, regardless of their appearance (like our average house cats) they are *wild animals* with little to no human interaction.

They are not a natural habitat of the island, they were brought there to kill mice and rats...and now it's causing a problem and now it needs to be fixed. They are harming the natural habitats of animals that are "supposed" to be there.

Posted by Ms_California on June 6, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Josey,

My comment meant (and I am sorry you didn't take it as such) that these animals have to suffer sometimes and die because of the scarce needs that they require. No shelter from storms or other preditors, no food on some days which can cause them to be come sick and often die. I am sure that their way of living is not healthy and most are probably sick. I don't want to see harm to the cats but I don't want to see them suffer either. As stated in my post I love animals and I have rescued them from pounds, from the side of the road and near death. I don't want to see an animal suffer nor do I think they should.

Posted by muddroute25 on June 6, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Would you like to borrow my dog?

Posted by Ventura22 on June 6, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

They are a non-native and invasive species. If the cats are causing a problem with the balance on the island, the wildlife experts and biologists should get rid of them. These are not cute, friendly housecats and cannot be made into pets. To those who are cat lovers and feel bad for these kitties; please spay/neuter your cats, and be responsible where you release them. If this had been done 50 years ago, we wouldn't be having this discussion today.

Posted by Ms_California on June 6, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mmshoot ... I think you should change your name to WEBSTER.. haha

Posted by alex.poet on June 6, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Do you know what's sad?"
"Cat AIDS."

Survival of the fittest works only if there is bio-diversity. Take out the variety, and diseases become ultra specialized.

Besides, what good is a island safari if all you get to see is some gnarly house cat.

Posted by Tdog on June 6, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Where do i sign up to be a great white Hunter...

Posted by trishfromcali on June 6, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is humane??? Their are laws against animal cruelty.....where is PETA when you need them!!! These cats were put on this island (they did not choose this) and for SURVIVAL (because NO ONE feeds them), they hunt birds FOR FOOD (NOT sport like most cruel HUMANS) and now they are going to be INHUMANLEY killed for what? I am LIVID...this SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!!! And YES, feral cats CAN make GREAT pets...I have had 4 and with the right love and care, they are GREAT pets.

Posted by imonlysayin on June 6, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

trishfromcali: Inhumane would be going in and running them all over with trucks, or dousing them in gasoline and setting them on fire.

Inhumane would be allowing them to stay, and having them kill off the natural inhabitants of the island and then allowing them to starve to death when they've eaten everything edible off of the island.

Posted by imonlysayin on June 6, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feral_cats

Doesn't sound to me like they are something that would make "Great pets" unless you're confusing a wild animal who's had absolutely no human interaction with a cat that ran away from home, lived in an alley and got picked up and taken to a shelter.

Posted by VeritasLuxMea on June 6, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You are either for the bird or for the cat

There is no "in-between"

Ever tried herding cats? Ever tried to get close to a wild cat?

For arguments sake, let's say in the most improbable situation all the cats are caught - then what?

THEY ARE STILL WILD!

Will some PETA nut adopt one? Maybe...We would know if someone is that stupid by the scratched out eyes of the idiot.

Why is it that people scream about an animal being killed, yet people do nothing while hundreds of little babies are cut up and pulled out of their mommies?

Posted by imonlysayin on June 6, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Veritas: You make a good point and I agree, you could also add to your argument that nobody seemed to be squealing and threatening to call PETA when they poisoned the rats on Anacapa...why not? Because they don't look anything as cute and fluffy as their house cat.

Posted by Ms_California on June 6, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

VeritasLuxMea.. that last comment was completely disgusting. Very inappropriate.

Posted by oxnard40 on June 6, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Why must I be like that, why must I chase the cat"

Posted by terryt6666 on June 6, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What an ego man must have..At one time life and death was decided by a creator and not our own selfish idea of what life should be like. I have always found it interesting to hear biologists and science say that they are going to restore something to its natural state--ie: the Channel Islands. My question is, "Which natural state is that?" Do we bring back the Indian population, the mammoth, the dire wolf or perhaps go a little further the T-Rex. Just what state are we restoring and what gives us the right to play God. You say, but if we don't muck with nature then something will go extinct? Perhaps it is nature that decides what will go extinct not man. When was the last time you were chased down by a T-Rex on your way to work? Is that because of man being responsible for bumping off the T-Rex, mans intervention or do we blame it on nature and perhaps nature deciding when something should go extinct. We are so involved in perfecting our own little individual worlds that we think we have the right to decide who and what should live and die to make our own selfish ideal of what should be natures way a reality. Yet we claim to be inteligent but yet we can't manage our own lives let alone Mother Natures.

Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on June 6, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ms_California - I completley agree. I suggested removal of that post.

Posted by 805diva on June 6, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why dont we just put more mice on the island? Then they will eat the mice and not the birds!

Posted by Relvd98 on June 6, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Nothin' but the dog in me"

Posted by UCSBguy on June 6, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VeritasLuxMea "Why is it that people scream about an animal being killed, yet people do nothing while hundreds of little babies are cut up and pulled out of their mommies?"

It is the same thing why most people care about animals getting hurt. When you hurt a human being, the other human being at least understands why he/she in this situation or why you're hurting them. Animals in the other hand doesn't know. The cats or dogs that you hurt doesn't understand why you're hurting them.

The cats there.. humans put them there and now they want to kill them? That's like the british putting criminals in australia and let them populate then the brits decide to kill all australians because they're destroying the aborigines

Posted by SpiderWoman on June 6, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's what happens when you don't let nature take it's course. When man interferes he upsets the natural balance . . . again!

Posted by del on June 6, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One shot, one kill. I have a Winchester model 70, in 220 swift, a 3 X 9 Leopold scope that will dispatch any cat out to 300 yards.

Sign me up.

Posted by snireddog on June 6, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

del....I imagine you would do well in Iraq...why don't you go target practice there?

Posted by snireddog on June 6, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

alex...I brought one home from san nicolas island six years ago. He was fixed, given his shots, and had blood work done. The vet said he was one of the healthiest cats he had ever seen. Kind of reminds me, you can fish right off our coast, but you can only eat a small portion because of the toxins, however, catch fish from the shores of San Nicolas Island and eat all you catch? Kind of makes me think maybe our toxins havnt reached the cats there yet either. Anyway, My cat was a six week old kitten when I brought it home. It used toi lay on my moms stomach and ease her pain when she lay there dying of stomach cancer. If you get a feral kitten and raise it in a LOVING manner when it is young enough, then it can become a great domesticated partner. If no-one beleives me then your welcome to come and visit. I dare you. DO NOT TELL ME ALL feral cats cannot be domesticated. Mine is the best I have ever had and I have had quite a few...snireddog@aol.com

Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on June 6, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you TERRYT6666...

Finally someone on hear with something of value to say.

I think trapping a living thing and then letting it die from starvation or elements is pretty sick.

And why are we still not using PRISONERS for medical experiments?

Castrate Molesters/Rapists!

Maybe we should put prisoners on the island....

Posted by VeritasLuxMea on June 6, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ms_California and tiredofviolence -

I agree with you. It is very disgusting. It is hideous. That's what abortion is. You not wanting to face the graphic issue is similiar to the German villagers that turned a blind eye to the burnt, human ash that was falling on them from the stacks of the furnaces of concentration camps.

My point is that people should be calling attention to the suffering and killing of human babies as well as animals. However, the human babies are not destroying island bird colonies but are just an "inconvenience". Anyway, thought I combine 2 subjects and that most would get it. It is always interesting what works people up.

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We raised 4 kittens that were born to a ferral mom cat. We tried to catch her so that we could nurse her back to health but she was too wild. However, the kittens turned out awesome! We found homes for 2 and raised two. They were the best cats! One lived until she was 13, the other until he was 15. They are no doubt frolicking about in kitty heaven.

I love animals. I understand the cats killing off the 'natural' wildlife but certainly there has to be a better way to deal with this situtation.

Posted by snireddog on June 6, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ms California? Surprisingly, the feral cats on San Nicolas Island are in better physical shape then a lot of the humans here stateside.

Posted by Ms_California on June 6, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK, we can argue symantics all day long... no one takes care of the babies, poor homeless, poor gas prices.. this article is related to feral cats on San Nicolas. How did we get into abortion and physical shape of humans stateside? And why am I the one being called out.. did I say something against the mistreatment of animals or humans? Why don't those posting fill me in on what EXACTLY it was they think I am saying here and how abortion, German Jews and human shape is related?

Posted by oxnard40 on June 6, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If a tree falls and nobody is around, does it make a noise?

98.7% of you didn't even know that there were feral cats on the islands. So why do you care if they are removed from the island?

Posted by CarpCoyote on June 6, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bionativism rears its ugly head again as the "science of malice and intolerance"...Parks "biologists" continue their cowardly actions... this is not hunting or culling, this is extermination..there's big difference!

Killing off animals that have fallen out of favor with "biologists" is enabled by the Endangered Species Act..the cats, pigs, mice rats, deer, and bison have every right to be on the islands..the "biologists" have apparently appointed themselves "GOD" or perhaps Hitler and are species cleansing...There are two relationships in nature..predator and prey..if you wiped out every cat because you think they are responsible for killing all the birds or any species chosen by "biologists", you should also kill humans, dogs, owls, and hawks. Of course, that would be absurd.
If you are a real birder or environmentalist and not one who belongs to a club or society, you’ll know that the cat hysteria, like bionativism, is a psychological, not an ecological problem. It is easy and lazy to transfer blame to cats, who are amazing little creatures, are part of the food chain, and keep rodent populations in check. Killing them to “protect” birds or any other favored species is anti-nature and unfortunately, shows typical human ignorance.

Posted by hotwildflower on June 6, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't stand cats! Why would they send innocent dogs in there to chase out the additional cats and risk getting a disease from a scratch or something?

Save the doggies!

Posted by Ms_California on June 6, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks Webster , I mean mmshoot....

Posted by alex.poet on June 6, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know what else is sad, while Ms_California and others are against animal cruelty, they only are ones to say something and do nothing. You want to go save wild cats? Fine, go and rescue 10 of them. I'm glad you have the space and money to accommodate them.

What about the fact the county's shelters and rescues are being filled to the brim with dogs and cats, more are being abandoned each day as homeowners who never should have gotten loans leave behind their "beloved" pets in their foreclosed homes, many times with no food and water.

So guess what, they pets that are left befind get tossed into the shelter. There are so many animals already staying there, waiting for a family to love them, and the unlucky ones who've been there longest and don't get adopted are given the gift of euthanization.

So don't be surprised when no one really cares around here about 200 cats on an island that's practically inaccessible. We kill thousands of dogs and cats a year for the lack of room and want in Ventura county.

As for the rats and rabbits - well, it will mean more food for the adorable endagered island fox, who is slightly smaller than your average feral cat.

I may apathetic to the eradication of the feral cats, but I love felines in general. I own two cats myself, one 13 and one is 18, and I feed every stray that strolls by. I've been seeing more and more cats come through as more and more houses get foreclosed.

Posted by hotwildflower on June 6, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

whoaaa...Alex, I read all these comments today and I think you should re-read Ms. California's original comment cause she isn't coming off to me the same way she is to you...

and cats still stink!

Posted by Ms_California on June 6, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Alex.poet....

I think you need to open your eyes and reread what I said... here let me post it again for you...

"I have had many cats and dogs in my life and all of them were pound puppies/kitties" as well as "As stated in my post I love animals and I have rescued them from pounds, from the side of the road and near death"

So what is the point of your post about me adopting animals? I have, thank you several times and ALL of my animals have been loved as my children! They have never been mistreated, unloved or left behind as you say! My dogs are indoor dogs and aren't left outside all the time like some dog owners do. I do not agree with animal cruelty, not am I a PETA member but I do have a heart and when I see animals not being loved or taken care of, yeah I wish I could do more. Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones....

Posted by hotwildflower on June 6, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Alex is someone apparently upset about people getting the wrong loans...what that has to do with cats, I have no idea! He/She must need to change the litter box in his/her house, the fumes are getting to him/her.

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mmshoot...I'm sorry, but you give me a headache.

Good point (whoever made it) that before this article we didn't even know that there were all of these feral cats. Makes you wonder why they didn't just take care of the problem without all the hoopla.

I like cats but hotwildflower you're right, those litter boxes are the worst! Probably the reason why we don't have any cats now!

Ms_California - the natives do seem to favor calling you out today. What can you say? Girl, you are popular! :~)

Posted by Ms_California on June 6, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THANK YOU BEA!!! I mean what the heck did I say that was sooooo terrible? Some people I tell ya!!! Geeezz I think everyone needs to go have a margarita and go to bed! Dream about the kitties haha

Posted by hotwildflower on June 6, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mmshoot...I know what you meant...I told you who Alex.Poet is...no do~overs here, Buddy!

Cat AIDS? If people just bought pure bred dogs, they won't have to worry about diseases like that! I had my pure bred fixed so I didn't have to worry about any half breed offsprings!

Posted by itchthing on June 6, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I propose that the Cat carcasses should be rounded up, butchered, barbecued and Cat sandwiches and Cat burgers sold to raise money for PETA.

Top that!

Posted by hotwildflower on June 6, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's good...not sure I can top that...but I will work on it! Give me a moment, please.

Posted by hotwildflower on June 6, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nope, Itchthing...you win!

Posted by adsherma on June 6, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Josie - you are so right in all of your comments. It is a shame that humans can only think of one way to fix THEIR OWN mistakes by killing the now - feral cats. If humans didn't just dump animals when they decide that they just don't want them, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. When will humanity wake up? What if it were feral-humans we were talking about - things would be different then wouldn't they.

Posted by alex.poet on June 6, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

@hotwildflower - check out this week's vc reporter, whose main article talks exactly about what I said: Ventura Co.'s massive increase in foreclosures is leading to increased levels of euthanization of animals in the county. Which is what I read before I found this article about the island. But since I guess you already know who I am and everything that's going on in the county, people abandoning their pets because they can no longer afford them wouldn't be in your realm of ignorance.

My cats don't poo inside, they live comfortably in my backyard and fertilize my plants. Free range cats if you will. Indoor kitty is a stinky sad kitty.

By the by, you're pure bred dog isn't really that pure. They all started from feral dogs anyways, and have been intensely bred like flowers for the past 500 years to make the several "pure bred" fidos of today that you love.

@Ms_California - my apologies. I thought I copied the right screen name. I meant to direct my comment at trishfromcali. So let me take my foot out of my mouth for the case of mistaken identity.

Anyways, PETA is just silly. The organization started as an empty office in New York who's main goal was to stop cows crossing the street without wearing a dress.

Linkage:

Abandoned Pets: www.vcreporter.com but the article is only in the free print version of the periodical.

Cat AIDS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbie_D...

Origin of Dogs: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2...

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mmshoot...it's more the randomness of some of your posts. Sometimes I don't know where the heck you are coming from!

Plus, you know how I like to give you a bad time!

Posted by hotwildflower on June 6, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oh come on now...I was just trying to stir things up! It's been a slow Friday in the comments section! I haven't even seen anyone cry racist!

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Free range cats if you will"

Personally, I feel that it's not in a domestic cats best interest to roam free outdoors. Doggies can get them, mean people, they can get hit by cars, etc. Not to mention one of our neighbors cats had kittens right under one of our cars!

People don't let their dogs roam free (or they shouldn't); why should cats roam around? They can bring home diseases, rodents, etc.

Our two INDOOR cats were happy and friendly kitties all of their 13 and 15 years. It's irresponsible to let your pets roam around the neighborhood.

In my humble opinion...

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HOTWILDFLOWER - you racist cat-hater!!!

(notice I yelled your name...it does feel so good to do that!)

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh, one more thing about cats roaming free. As in the case of the River Ridge residents the roaming kitties need to beware of the coyotes. Cat owners let their furry campanions roam at night and then are outraged when they become coyote-chow.

Then the city of Oxnard has to spend some stupid amount of $$ on air-horns that can be used to scare away the coyotes.

No kitty food scampering around...no coyotes.

Posted by hotwildflower on June 6, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Free range cats also kill the birds that people attract with their birdfeeders...poor birdies.. :(

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hotwildflower...I know!

And then some people who have the bird-feeders shoot bb guns or throw rocks at the cats who are trying to get to the birds.

Not good any way you look at it!

Posted by alex.poet on June 6, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, to each their own. My cats have survived as free-range kitties in my west Oxnard back yard for over 16 years.

My family keeps a beautiful garden which attracts many beautiful birds to our small piece of earth. My cats are hunters, and despite the many risks of living outside, they can fend for themselves. My sassy dames do occasionally take out a sparrow, but the hummingbirds are too fast for them, and they don't mess with anything bigger. We do occasionally have possums come through our yard, but our kitties know not to talk to strangers. In fact, they spend most of their days sleeping while sunning quietly in the backyard.

So in my humble opinion, my adventuress kitties weren't bored to death like yours. They are older and still alive, despite the fact that we have dogs bordering us on all sides. so nyah. They even took care of that pesky nightingale that parked its booty outside my window for three weeks that was out of the reach of my bb gun. That damn bird literally echoed a car alarm from dusk til dawn, at full volume too. So my cats rock!

By the by, I'm a he.

Posted by Tom_Johnston on June 6, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My..My..My..what flurry of posts we have here...and even more amazing, no comments about "illegals", which in a sense, these cats seem to be, if not were!

I provoked some remarks about "feral" cats being difficult to domesticate, most of the posts disputing that talked about feral kittens (as was mine)...not the same thing at all other than they both say "Meow".

I did think the comments about other non-native animals like rats and mice having a population explosion is possibly valid.

Given diminished budgets, I think letting "varmint" type hunter..sounds like "Del" is set up for that, pay a fee to get permit to hunt cat isn't such a bad idea. Why pay someone money to do the job when others will pay YOU money to be allowed to do it. I think you'd get takers, and if properly supervised, things would be no more or less humane than it would be with "professional" hunters.

I do think it reasonable that if kittens are found, and they likely will be, that they be offered to cat adoption agencies. Kittens would have a chance at domestication.

Finally, here is the harshest truth of all.

Everything alive....dies.

Just a matter of when, where, and how.

I can't believe that dying from starvation, untreated disease, injury with no hope of recovery, or (yuck!) predation..being someone else's ALIVE dinner is any better than a bullet.

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"so nyah"

Wow, did you really just write that? How old are you, 12?

I'd imagine that you were sticking out your tongue when you wrote it.

Whatever alex.poet...ask any vet and they will tell you that the best thing for a domestic cat is to keep them indoors. Perhaps your "sassy dames" (eye roll) are only confined to your backyard and that seems a bit safer to me. Ours would venture onto our patio but never went further then that.

Your cats must rock - they tolerate you.

Posted by alex.poet on June 6, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Wild cats have taken a large toll on the seabirds and other endangered species on the island. Worldwide, feral cats are responsible for the extinction of 33 species of seabirds, according to federal biologists."

So the cats must pay for their war crimes. Genocide will not be tolerated!

Posted by keem_s on June 6, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Airstrike using cluster bombs, gotta use them up before they are banned, take care of 2 problems at once.

Posted by alex.poet on June 6, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

eye roll? whatever? how old must you be? seventy two? Don't try and masquerade your silly point vs. point banter in your barrage of comments as maturity - although I wouldn't be surprised if you're some spinster. You're "holier than thou" tone that your are trying to give me is letting everyone see how beautifully you display your raunchy nose hairs.

I'm proud of my sassy dames, they prance around like princesses every day, and are definitely worth their salt. Yes my Sassy Dames are definitely the coolest cats in town. In fact, these sassy dames are friendly, and love making new friends. Did you know that my sassy dames are fixed?

I can't say so much for dog owners dog owners who carry around their pooches in a purse because the owner and pet has separation issues.

I look forward to your sassy response, sassy beahappi.

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

keem_s...now that it thinking outside of the box! :~)

Posted by alex.poet on June 6, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mmshoot - we should totally write to Fox about our new special - When Free Range Cats ATTACK! lol

I call them free range, because my cats go on regular tours around the neighborhoods. They just hop right over the fence. They like to hang out with their friends, and I know Velvet has a couple of boyfriends too. She likes to keep it on the down lo though.

Posted by alex.poet on June 6, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Would it be wrong if I wanted to cats to get rid of as many Western Gulls as possible. It makes me think of High School, when every lunch was the Alfred Hitchc--- hour. I swear those birds once dove down and stole a burrito right out of my hands!

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

alex.poet...yep, you nailed it, I'm 72 years old. Spinster too. Only don't tell that to my husband and two young children.

Well, good luck to your cats; I sincerely hope that none of them meets up with a mean dog or a speedy car on one of their tours around your neighborhood.

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mmshoot...I take back everything I said about you today. You put into words what I could not eloquently express myself. :~)

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL...have a great weekend!

Posted by alex.poet on June 6, 2008 at 5:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

:) I'm glad you're a master of the English language both connotation and denotation. I'm sure you can tell everyone why their English is imperfect, and I guess I could tell you that the dictionary get's changed every year to reflect popular culture, and in fact MW was used to be considered rubbish.

Here's some spite back at you beaunhappy. I hope your two children (I really hope they are grown too) get found in a rectory and need years of therapy on your dime.

cmon, spread the nastiness.

Posted by md93003 on June 6, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Navy should set up a weekend target practice and take them out fast and humanely. If the animal rights people scream, pre-plan to make the skins into little doll coats and feed the meat to horses. Speaking of which, I've eaten horse in France and loved it. We're way to squeamish about this stuff. Go Navy.

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

alex.poet -

I said that I sincerely hoped that your two cats DID NOT meet up with a mean dog or speedy car. I meant that. My husband has had to pick up two neighborhood cats that were hit by cars and it was heartbreaking. We've also seen a cat that was attacked by a dog - again, heartbreaking. That's why I'm such an advocate for not letting cats roam around the neighborhood.

As for my children, they are not grown. They are young. As for you wishing bad things upon them - well you are one mean-spirited person. Sounds like you may be the one who needs years of therapy.

Please, get some help.

Posted by alex.poet on June 6, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bea - I guess I should make my second apology on the same thread. The tone of the comments to my comments seem to be degrading as they progressed and it hasn't been a wonderful day for me either. I guess I should be reading everything twice on here. I don't wish ill on you if you don't on me, so I'll take it back, I hope your children get a better life out of the area then most get.

There's no amount of therapy that can fix what Oxnard does to people - nor is a decent wage available to pay for that "all fixing" therapist you professionally prescribe.

mmshoot, for once can you be constructive, and not a semantic tool? You're reminding me of Ann Coulter. Or is it your MO to be a jerk? Survey begins tomorrow.

Posted by BeaHappi on June 6, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Apology accepted. It's easy to get snarky here; we're all so passionate with our opinions! I got a little curt too, although I'd never wish ill on you or your cats!

I grew up in Oxnard and am now raising my kids here. They have a great life and will continue to. Life is what you make it, no matter where you are. A positive attitude and a killer sense of humor go a long way.

Posted by kljinusa on June 6, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love Channel Islands National Park and try to go a couple times a year for hiking & kayaking. The best example of returning the Channel Islands to their pre-Euro ranching invasion is Santa Cruz Island, specifically the Nature Conservancy side of the island. The National Park Service (NPS) has also been very agressive in restoring the fauna of the islands, namely the Channel Islands Fox, indigenous only to these islands. Lots of pigs had to be destroyed and bald eagles reintroduced to keep the golden eagles from eating the little foxes. The outcry against destroying the pigs was in the courts for years and made by people who have never set foot on the island and witnessed their destructive behaviour.

I'm all for getting rid of the feral cats by any means necessary. After that's done, I'd like to see the US Navy go away too, so the rest of us can visit San Nicholas without bombs being lobbed on us.

Posted by kljinusa on June 6, 2008 at 6:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PS, I was also offended by Veritas remark about babies and suggested removal. Wrong topic for this article.

For those of you interested in the Channel Islands National Park, please click on the following links:

http://www.nps.gov/chis/
http://www.islandfox.org/
http://channelislands.noaa.gov/

The best way to visit this National Park, which is in your own backyard is to GO THERE! http://www.islandpackers.com/

Posted by kljinusa on June 6, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For those of you who watch the Channel Islands bald eagle nest cam in Pelican Harbor(Santa Cruz Island http://chil.vcoe.org/eagle_cam.htm ) and know about the attack of the two chicks in the nest from a rogue juvenile eagle, I have some news. The VCS covered this attack and it was also covered by KNBC. Anyway, both chicks survived and Dr. Sharpe, from the Institute of Wildlife Studies, will be returning one of the eaglets to a hacking tower on Santa Cruz Island on Sunday. Be at the Island Packers dock at Ventura Harbor on Sunday (June 8) between 7 and 7:30 am to meet Dr. Sharpe...

Posted by Face on June 6, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a dilemma for pet loving environmentalists... LOL! I can see them losing sleep on this one. I know, just give them all to the crazy lady who lives next door.. I think she has that many already.

Posted by kljinusa on June 6, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Face, you should have seen the reaction from the "rat lovers" on Anacapa during the eradication program. Rat Huggers were going out to Anacapa in boats and throwing B-Vitamins to counteract the rat poison. If more people would would get involved with NPS and the Nature Conservancy projects, they would realize what it means to have the Channel Islands restored with indigenous flora & fauna.

Posted by kljinusa on June 6, 2008 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mmshoot, there is an indigenous species of deer mouse on the islands, but certainly not on San Nicholas with all those feral cats.

Posted by kljinusa on June 6, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This article has gotten a lot of posts, and many of the posts were not related to the topic. May I please suggest another article for your review and discussion. The return of SeaBees...support your troops..

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...

Posted by kljinusa on June 6, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mmshoot, I am mostly a lurker on the VCS forum. I see your posts, some funny, some not so funny. But, thank you for your thoughtful comments overall. I know you have been slammed a few times.

Posted by Fred on June 6, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is totally off topic, but some animal killing is imho necessary - e.g. biomedical research. I know some researchers who say that the paperwork and restrictions are out of control. It is severely hampering research and we are not getting crucial therapies due to restrictions on animal models. Note that I believe that substantial restrictions and oversight are necessary, but my understanding is that the balance has been shifted so that research is stifled...

I am sure this is unpopular with most, but I think that PETA and such are nuts... some additional reading is here.

http://www.fbresearch.org/index.htm
http://www.pro-test.org.uk/

Fred

Posted by QMD333 on June 7, 2008 at 2:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To the US Fish and Wildlife Service,

Are you so ignorant and arrogant as to suggest that murder is "humane"?

Do you believe that killing someone is "humane"?

If, God forbid, someone killed you, would you still consider murder to be "humane"?

You are liars if you say "yes".

Please use a TNR (Trap, Neuter and Return) Program to handle this situation.

Killing is what brainless, irresponsible humans do to solve their perceived problems.

TNR is what creative, evolved, compassionate, and humane humans do to solve their perceived problems.

Murder is not "humane"....... end of discussion.

TNR (Trap, Neuter and Return) allows you to gradually decrease the number of cats WITHOUT you becoming bloodthirsty killers.

Only by FIXING (spaying, neutering) the cats, can you FIX their numbers permanently and HUMANELY.

Once again, allow me to state this fact: Murdering healthy living souls is NOT "humane".

Understand that fact?

I'll say it again:

Fact: Murdering a healthy living soul is NOT "humane".

If nothing else in this post penetrates into your brains, allow that irrefutable fact to penetrate into your brains.

Killing someone is NOT a "humane" way of treating them.

If it was your life, you'd agree.

Well, just like I'd speak for you, if someone wanted to kill you, I am now speaking for those precious cats.

Also, be aware of another fact: Humans are the NUMBER 1 cause of other species' going extinct or become endangered. So, according to your (lack of) logic, lets kill humans in order to solve the problem.

How about this....how about NOBODY GETS KILLED, and we still solve the problem?

Sounds pretty compassionate and creative, doesnt it?

Only by using TNR, can you resolve this issue and remain compassionate and creative all at once.

But only by using TNR Programs can this be done.

TNR has been field tested and proven time and again...the ignorance of the biologists notwithstanding. TNR works.

TNR is the answer. Killing isnt.

Cats are family members to millions of Americans. We want them treated as such.

Please, cancel your foolish cat killing ideas....it makes you look like barbarians.

Do the right thing, the effective thing, and the only HUMANE thing: TNR

Posted by jill on June 7, 2008 at 4:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing is horribly cruel and inhumane. Imagine how frightened these cats will be in the traps and then the pain they will endure. This is not acceptable. These are living, feeling creatures. Put yourselves and your families in their place. How can people be so heartless?

Posted by jbh50 on June 7, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You cat-haters are sooooo mean! Whah, whah, whah! Can't we all just get along?

geez, what a bunch of sissies....

Posted by Face on June 7, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Murder is humans killing humans. Eradicating invasive non-indigent species is always a good idea to preserve the natural environment. Cats are not humans, so you cannot murder them. Cats are not humans, so you do not kill anybody when they are exterminated. Feral cats cannot be adopted, and there is no Feral Cat Circus for them to join, therefor the culling of these animals is acceptable and recommended. Being kind to the environment and other life sometimes requires these kinds of measures however unwanted. It may be possible to ship them to China where they are a common dish served daily, especially after the earthquake there, they could be a needed source of protein.

Posted by jill on June 7, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, Face, such compassion for living things. Killing is killing, whether it's a human being or an animal. Sometimes I like animals better than people.

And "preserve the natural environment"? Uh, humans are the ones that are screwing it up in case you haven't noticed.

Posted by UCSBguy on June 7, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Face I heard similar comments from a guy that lived back in 1944... What was his name? I forgot.. but it sounded german.

Posted by star on June 7, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a human, I am deeply disturbed and insulted that anybody would suggest killing a human is no worse than killing a cat.

Posted by ironwoman on June 7, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Killing feral cats is inhumane. If you don't believe this, you are a moron. I raised two feral cats. They are domestic indoor cats. WOW, imagine that. Cats do have feelings and souls. One of my cats has been living for over 12 years. He sits on my lap, he eats regular food, he purrs, he's a good cat.
I would hope that the kittens will be saved because they do have the ability to be house cats.

Posted by Face on June 7, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Now I am Hitler because I agree with scientists... oh, and a moron too. The PETA folks are really far out there. Ground control to Major Tom!

Posted by UCSBguy on June 7, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Face I was thinking more of Heinrich Himmler.

Posted by deepwater805 on June 8, 2008 at 12:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Legal cat hunting....too cool....

Posted by faith on June 8, 2008 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it is absolutely terrible that people can just kill animals without any thought that they have feelings.... (How would you feel being hunted or chased down, mauled and eaten by dogs?) If there is such a cat population problem out there, why not us a safer and more humane way to do decrease the population? Why not use Tranquelizer guns filled with enough tranquelizer to put them to sleep permanantly. Also, there should be NO dogs involved. If there are a few remaining cats, caged traps can be set, they can be tranquelized while in the cage and then spayed or neutered, returned to the cage for re-release so they can continue to help with the unwanted pests on the island. My Question is who is going to be on the island to enforce that this hunting by Man and Dog is humane and to ensure they are not just wounded left to die a horrific death? Is the Humane Society? Look at how many cruel people who are too willing to jump in kill the cats. Did we already forget about Michael Vicks? Whats the difference? I am sorry but I feel there are better options and more humane ways to rectify the overpopulation than hunting the cats down with the use of dogs and no Animal support activist supervision to ensure that there is no Human/Dog cruelty. Shame on the Military for not spaying and neutering in the first place before the Cat population got out of control.

Posted by mal1910 on June 9, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

QMD333:

I completely agree.

Some of you people are sick. This whole world is screwed up. The way people deal with situations disgusts me. It's always the easy way out!

Posted by getreal on June 9, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These aren't normal "house cats" all cute and fluffy. These cats are enormouse, the size of bobcats and are eating everything off of the islad to survive. Every animal that is endangered they are eating. The foxes that are almost extinct, they are eating. You cannot adopt these cats just as you cannot adopt or carefore a mountain lion. This is also a Navy owned island that most of you will never in your lifetime even be able to venture too. Sometimes humanely eliminating an animal to save an island is what needs to be done. Unless you believe that these "cats" should continue to completely diminish an entire species of animals on that island.

Posted by Face on June 9, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you do not agree with the animal-humanists you will become Dr. Mengele, beware.

Posted by getoverit on June 9, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I say we move all the PETA members to this island and they can co-exist.

Posted by jill on June 9, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love PETA. PETA and the Humane Society have done so much to relieve the suffering of animals, whether they be used for food, entertainment, you name it. They give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves to protect them against really awful human beings who put them through agonizing torture in every way imaginable for the almighty dollar. There are extremists in every group. For the most part, animal rights activists are normal folks who care about the welfare of all living things. I guess some people just don't get it. That's amazing - and sad. Check out http://www.isawearthlings.com

Posted by Face on June 9, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PETA is a terrorist supporting group, supporting ALF. They have destroyed years of research into a illness which my father will die from. Thanks PETA
Google PETA TERRORIST GROUP and see for yourself. I love animals, but I hate PETA. Animals are not sentient beings and are not the same as humans. PETA is the mind killer.

Posted by daniel.acosta on June 10, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I worked on San Nicolas for 6 years as the water operator so I was allowed to go places other civilians weren't. It was very rare to see any cats. Whoever called the star for this article was just trying to get some attention. Go out their for 6 years and then talk to me about some cats. You don't see them every day or every week. This is a big joke! Most of us that read the paper are all adults so lets start acting like it. Their's 2 sides to every story and lets not forget it. This article really is a joke. It's just someone out for attention. Leave the cats alone, it's rare they even come out. I couldn't stop laughing when I seen this article and I'm still laughing.

Posted by jill on June 12, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Animal research is not only unimaginably cruel, but since we are not animals, it doesn't even come close to giving us the true picture. Remember thalidomide? That drug was tested on animals, found to be "safe," and resulted in thousands of babies born without limbs. There are other ways to test drugs. Torturing animals is not necessary.

"Vivisection is a social evil, because if it advances human knowledge, it does so at the expense of human character." -George Bernard Shaw

Posted by ofrmgfo on June 17, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I oppose killing the cats.
I am not some PETA freak or anything like that, but do think that we have a moral responsibility to deal with a condition we created in a humane fashion.
Capture, neuter/spay, and release has been shown to be an effective and decent solution.
At the risk of sounding PC, lets remember that these animals only crime is to be descendants of cats who offered unquestioning love, loyalty, and trust.

=
You WILL pay for your sins.
If you have already paid, please disregard this message.