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Poll-Feeding cats to snakes

Is it okay to feed live cats to snakes?

  • Yes

    Votes: 29 25.4%

  • No

    Votes: 85 74.6%

  • Can't decide

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    114
I know I made a joke in the other thread about people eating cats everyday, but no, I don't think it's right, especially considering the intentions of the person who did it.
 
I don't have a big problem with the idea, per se.....but that statement is somewhat conditional.
The only reason for such a feeding to be videotaped, and posted online, is the garnered response...wanting to cause and fuel outrage. (I have actually given this some consideration, and failed to come up with a single justification that would stand up to scrutiny, other than wanting to evoke reaction.) As I mentioned in the other thread, the UK does have laws pertaining to live feeders - whether they state that live animals cannot be USED as feeders, or PURCHASED with that intent, I do not recall. (The latter would suggest that it is acceptable to breed rodents to feed one's own snakes.) Even if this person did have the required letter of necessity, I doubt that his choice of prey item would be deemed "appropriate"....but that,IMO, ends up being a moral judgement of the written law.

Let's be realistic - the videotaping and broadcast is probably a greater issue than the act...and the component that would probably solidify charges of cruelty. Of course, there is also the issue of acquisition. Bringing this back to the US, for ease of discussion, cats are not an affordable option unless you grow your own in a barn or start harvesting ferals. Sure, one could troll CL and local papers, but there are numerous potential problems.
Cats are viewed as pets, and are socially acceptable. The general public has enough of a stigma about snakes that, as keepers, we're already considered unusual (if not downright weird). A story like this, here, would likely result in a media frenzy, and would probably fuel widespread legislative response against large constrictors....oh, wait...that's already happening. Back on track - think about all the comments when there is a large snake on the loose. There is almost always something said about them feeding on people's pets (whether with the accusatory statement that pets have been disappearing, or just the suggestion that fewer strays have been seen in the neighborhood). Imagine the outcry, the veritable lynch mobs, if a person was suspected of collecting pets for this purpose. No need to imagine, really; just look to that part of Damon's apprehension.

I've had some great cats over the years; but hearing that a person has been quietly feeding cats to his snake doesn't get an emotional response from me. Somebody getting caught doing it, or making a spectacle of it - on the other hand - does...if for no other reason than I can't help but think how it will affect me, as a hobbyist and breeder.
 
Cats eat Snakes...

I believe I will be the first to answer "Yes," but I would personally not do it.

I would think that a cat, or kitten, would have parasites from the litter box, or just from being feral in general, (eating wild lizards, birds, squirrels, ... and snakes, as well as drinking from standing water.)
They also have very sharp claws.

IMO, if one was going to feed a cat to a snake it should at least be p/k, or even better f/t and declawed.

Who is to really say what is "okay," and what is not.
IMO, It is never "okay" for the majority to infringe on the freedoms of the minority, as long as their actions do not infringe on anothers rights.
(At this point, we could argue what is, and what is not a true basic human right... but I'd rather not.)

My opinion is that every living creature should be given the same "respect," as any other living creature.
Why is it okay to mass produce rodents in a "puppy mill" for the sole purpose of feeding reptiles, but a moral crisis to feed a cat to a snake ?

That said, I don't think it is wise to film a video of a snake eating a cute little kitten on youtube, in order to try and get a reaction from those that find it appalling.
The majority in the Hobby feel it is wrong, so you can imagine how those that do not like snakes to begin with feel.
I am sure it is also more of a culture shock, because our members from Vietnam are probably :shrug01: wondering what the problem with using cats as feeders is ?
 
rcarichter said:
Ah, but I made the poll to read "live cats".


Noelle
Click to expand...
I almost deleted my vote when I read this.
However, although I do not think it is the best option, I would not say that it is "not okay."
(Why not at least p/k ?
I guess people argue both sides of feeding live or f/t rodents, so why would it be any different with felines.)

If it's your snake, and your cat... "It's okay with me."

I don't think it should be put on the web for the whole world to see, but then again the web is full of videos that one group of people or another find offensive.
(Everything from Gospel teaching, to Midget Porn... and beyond.)
 
PK is almost worse, from one standpoint, because it's too hard to accept that somebody like this would be using a CO2 chamber (or other form of humane euthanasia). I understand that the poll isn't strictly about HIM, but that is what prompted the discussion. Much easier to picture him giggling to himself as he holds the cat in his lap and twists its neck; or swings it by the tail, striking its head against the table. "Civilized" people want to view him as a monster.
 
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I've fed snakes to snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, fish, and crocodilians...why would feeding them to a cat be a problem? :shrug01:
 
hhmoore said:
I've fed snakes to snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, fish, and crocodilians...why would feeding them to a cat be a problem? :shrug01:
Click to expand...

I'm with the logical people. Everything has to eat, if it eats a cat, so be it.

While I wouldn't feed my own pet to the snake or vice versa, (something I am attached to), I would have no moral compunctions about feeding my snakes any stray kittens without tags, or ownership indications.

I feed my snakes, rabbits, rats, and chicks (some refuse), have done gerbils, ASF, and other prey items; these are also considered "pet" material. :shrug01:
 
I voted no, but I am against live feeding in general. I'm sure rat fanciers are appalled at how many snake owners put up vids on youtube of live feedings (heck, I can't watch them either, it is cruel to make any animal suffer and yes, yes I know, nature is cruel, but this is not nature, these are captive animals).

I will say back in the 70s one of the guys at the barracks where my dad was living had a burm, she was huge and the first snake I ever got to touch. This guy finds a stray kitten and thinks 'oh, free easy meal for my snake'. Wrong. The kitten ended up scratching out one of the burm's eyes and the snake did not eat it. (My dad found out and took the kitten to a shelter... where knowing how things go, it was probably euthanized, as so many are.)

All feeders are dangerous, rabbits got one heck of a kick! Rats and mice can do some major damage with teeth. I am against live feeding because of the danger to the snake and the suffering of the prey. I won't re-state what I already said in the other thread about the heartless man who did the vid that prompted this, you can read my other comments there.


***

the comment below, Clay, that is absolutely HORRIBLE! that was someone's pet
 
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Many years ago a friend of mine was having a problem with a neighbor's cat stalking his bird feeder and killing the birds.
Requests for the neighbor to keep his cat contained were ignored.
One day, after being well fed up with the cat killing the birds, he took a 9 foot African rock python and perched it next to the feeder.
Sure enough the cat came strolling along looking for an easy meal and the afrock took him out. The birds lived happily ever after.

So yes, there are times when feeding live cats to snakes is perfectly acceptable. :reddevil:
 
Voted: No.

The thought doesn't evoke an emotional response, but I wouldn't feed a live cat, for the same reason I wouldn't feed a live rabbit, or a live G-pig. No desire to see my animal come to harm.

F/T cat/kittens? Sure why not. People have chickens, g-pigs, rabbits, pigs, mice, rats, quail, hamsters, gerbils, etc as pets, and I don't let that effect me in the feeding of MY pets.

And on the other side of feeding snakes to cats, yes. Again, if it were my pet, and that's what it needed to survive, then by all means. (cat, cobra, whats the difference? :D)
 
Emotionally, I don't see how it's different from a rat and I've kept both animals as spoiled pets before. Snakes have to eat prey and cats are already getting put down by the hundreds everyday thanks to overpopulation..... but practically, it's not an easy option or even best for the snake here (or the hobby) so there's absolutely no reason for it, just a lot against it. The only reason that guy did it was to incite rage and that is what gets me.
And of course live vs pk or f/t is another thing. Personally, I strongly prefer not to feed live if we can help it.
 
I said no because i view cats as pets, as do many others. However, they are just another domesticated animal, done so by humans. But also people view rabbits, rats, & mice as pets aswell, so i have to say i'm 50/50 about the idea. Personally i wouldn't feed a cat or kitten to any of my snakes.
 
Voted no; I wouldn't, but I like cats, so I'm biased :shrugs: Selling euthanized cats from a shelter as feeders, when you consider the amount of money it takes to operate a shelter, I'd have no problem with that. Little creepy tho, but that's the bias talkin' ;)

There are some things in this country that are socially unacceptable. You just can't feed Mittens to your pet "whatever" and not expect an ugly reaction. Plus the HUGELY negative stereotype reinforcement against those of us who keep reptiles. The guy is an idiot, and probably doesn't know any better.
 
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