Feral cats kill songbirds and contaminate environment
I agree with the arguments and conclusions of Rick Sinnott's opinion (June 22) piece decrying the attempt to establish outdoor sanctuaries for feral cats. We have enough trouble with the domestic ones.
I am a master gardener. Our yard has been designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. It is a sanctuary for all sorts of critters including butterflies and birds, some of them here year round and some migratory. In the last decade my husband and I have seen a diminution in the number of species and number of songbirds in our yard.
At the same time, we have endured without complaint while three neighborhood cats — two black, one orange — patrol our yard regularly, hunting and making deposits.
The trifecta of threats — habitat loss, pollution and domestic cats — is responsible for the decline of songbird populations worldwide. Domestic cats, introduced to Hawaii by the missionaries and allowed to roam, quickly made extinct every species of ground-nesting bird in the islands.
Responsible cat owners either take their cats for walks on a leash (we have one thoughtful neighbor who does that) or build outdoor shelters where these predatory animals can see and smell the outdoors without being a danger to wildlife.
It is irrational to think that a colony of feral cats will stay in the colony and not trouble anyone. In fact, they will roam and, even if not hungry, will kill, because that is what they have evolved to do. In the past our children's pet rabbit, having the run of our fenced yard, was killed by a feral cat, which was an intruder. Using a humane cat trap works once, but then the cat learns.
And, by the way, Mr. Sinnott did not mention one health hazard of cats. Their feces can contain organisms that are a danger to the unborn fetus. That's why pregnant women are advised to have someone else clean out the litter box. What is the pregnant woman to do who comes across cat feces while out gardening or picnicking? Feces dries and the organisms blow in the air, to be breathed in.
I am glad that there are people who have sympathy for other sentient beings and want to care for abandoned animals, but they must do so in their own homes or raise money and establish a nonprofit cat shelter.
— Bonnie Lembo
Anchorage
Should we go back?
I'm a bit confused and dismayed over all the hatred focused upon immigrants.
Aren't we all?
My roots in Alaska and this country are deeper than most due to my mixed heritage of Aleut, Athabascan, Russian, English, Irish, Norwegian and every other sailor, miner, fisherman, whaler or other adventurer who ever set ashore. Despite many centuries of heritage, I guess I may still be an immigrant.
My experience with newcomers to the United States has largely been very positive. I have witnessed so many times how they keep our economy moving by doing jobs most Americans no longer want to endure. The work ethic I've seen in seafood processing companies, wood-thinning crews, oyster farming operations, lawn work, child care, food service and many other occupations by first- and second-generation immigrants is remarkable.
I spent a month in a small rural Mexican town recently and I was very impressed by the closeness of the families, friendliness and good spirits of nearly all residents, despite the lower standard of living than even most Alaska villages in which I've lived and worked. Why can't we be the same?
This missive was prompted by learning about an undocumented immigrant who spent several volunteer years cleaning up after the 9/11 destruction and in the process was permanently impaired by the chemicals he ingested. Now he is in danger of being deported. How can this be if our nation has any compassion?
A less compassionate person might suggest all you recent arrivals go back to where you came from, but I just hope you can open your minds, eyes and hearts to others.
— Rodger Painter
Moose Pass
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