Post-Schna-ulations

An ongoing theme here

Well, once again, people keeping wild animals as pets has made the news. This time, they're trying to breed domestic housecats with servals (African wildcats). Come on people!!! I love big wild cats. They're beautiful, and perhaps are sometimes loving and lovable -- BUT THEY ARE NOT TAME!! That means they're unpredictable, intimidating, and dangerous. And most people don't have the know-how to care for them, which makes keeping them not only irresponsible, but cruel.
Yes, these new crossbreed cats are beautiful and probably a lot of fun too, but there is a reason they are illegal in most states.

What's Up Pussycat?

The cats - which can cost from $4,000 to $10,000 - are visually striking with their long necks and oversized ears, and they can be intimidating. They look like little leopards and grow to more than twice the size of normal cats. They love to leap and splash in water, and they don't mind taking long walks on a leash. Some people describe them as dogs in cats' bodies.
...
"For whatever reason, these cats are cats many people would like to have," she said. "There is some sort of wow factor to the 35-pound cat in your Manhattan apartment."
But they come with too many unknowns, she added. "We have no idea what this cat's habitat should be," Ms. Shumann said.
...
"Breeders are creating animals for commercial purposes that would never exist in the natural world," he said. "These hybrid species are threats to the environment and potentially to the families who think they are buying a family pet and could be purchasing a wild animal."
...
"I think they're beautiful," Dr. McDaniel added, but "I'll watch them on the nature channel."

posted by Schna @ 8:44 AM