[clearlyentranced]

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[Roy-at-tth]

Why not the americans?

[clearlyentranced]

Well, I think they could be put to better use..I mean..pets are pets, but if they're going to other people..couldn't they do something to better help the country?

[go(r)d]

It says an animals rescue group has organized this. I would love to know who thought it was a better idea to support them than the agencies helping people rebuild shattered lives. Leave the animals to starve, theyre just freaking cats for pete's sake!! Not like anything endangered os at risk!! The endangered animals, and all the rest for that matter, were too smart to get caught up in the mess. I read that millions of animals moved inland AFTER the earthquake (which supposedly couldn't be felt on land) but BEFORE the tidal wave got within sight of shore. It's hard to imagine the kind of instincts they have. So who cares about a bunch of cats that had all the natural instincts domesticated right out of them?

[j-monster]

It says an animals rescue group has organized this. I would love to know who thought it was a better idea to support them than the agencies helping people rebuild shattered lives. Leave the animals to starve, theyre just freaking cats for pete's sake!! Not like anything endangered os at risk!! The endangered animals, and all the rest for that matter, were too smart to get caught up in the mess. I read that millions of animals moved inland AFTER the earthquake (which supposedly couldn't be felt on land) but BEFORE the tidal wave got within sight of shore. It's hard to imagine the kind of instincts they have. So who cares about a bunch of cats that had all the natural instincts domesticated right out of them?

Yes, at the risk of sounding insensitive, I have to agree with you. In situations like this, let's save the humans before worrying about the pets. Seems like common sense to me. :roll:

[das_hips]

I agree as well... shouldn't this support group be more consumed with the stray cat population in America before it travels halfway around the world?
The only reason as I can see, to put up the effort, is the solemn fact that hungry cats (domestically inclined, but still driven by instinct and satisfaction) may travel the streets in search for food, and would undoubtedly come across human remains... it is an entirely seperate situation, not nearly as tragic, but thousands of cats feeding off human flesh, developing infectious disease, and spreading through a country can be a bit of worry...

[VioletlightHeron]

Regarding the domestic cats not having the smarts to move inland before the tsunami hit like the wild animals did, perhaps they felt it but simply couldnt get out of their owners houses? Its not like they had opposable thumbs or anything. I'm biased towards cats since my folks have 5 but I can't see how one plane transporting animals out of 150+ in the area harms the rescue operations.

[MountainHip]

To answer the question in the heading........

They would have asked Canada, but we don't have any planes.

:wink:

[thipfan73]

I didn't read the article but all I'll say is, sometimes I think we need to take care of our own before we help others. Granted the tsunami is well worth our time, money and effort, but when I think about how we've helped so many other countries, like the 'rebuilding' going on in Iraq, when there are people back here who are homeless, starving, and in just general need of help.

[fingernailsonhull]

I didn't read the article but all I'll say is, sometimes I think we need to take care of our own before we help others. Granted the tsunami is well worth our time, money and effort, but when I think about how we've helped so many other countries, like the 'rebuilding' going on in Iraq, when there are people back here who are homeless, starving, and in just general need of help.

I understand your concern - and it is hard for me to grasp because the problem of homelessness and poverty is not nearly as bad in Canada as it is in the United States. Any situation like this is a lose-lose for the US. If they dive in head first to bring humanitarian aid then some in the world say they are sticking their nose in other countries' business. If they play it safe, then they are blamed for not helping out those less fortunate when the opportunity arises. America is doing the right thing with this tsunami problem. Sometimes we Canadians - along with other nationalities - need to get over ourselves.

[K-Town Lassie]

Believe it or not, domestic cats are one of the main hosts of the bubonic plague bacteria. The virus is then transferred to fleas which bite humans and start the spread of the disease. Although mass pandemics of the disease ended in the late 1800's, there are still outbreaks in China, Asia and India. If treated early, the mortality rate is somewhere between 1 and 15 percent, but since the time span between infection and death is less than one week, it is difficult to diagnose and treat immediately. I'm guessing that it's for reasons like this, more so than humanitarian ones, that they want to control the number of abandoned pets wandering around.

[thipfan73]

Any situation like this is a lose-lose for the US. If they dive in head first to bring humanitarian aid then some in the world say they are sticking their nose in other countries' business. If they play it safe, then they are blamed for not helping out those less fortunate when the opportunity arises.

Yep, sometimes it's a double edged sword being an american

[beanmedic]

ya, you can't do any of the fun stuff (killing people) unless you help out with the stupid animals. double edged sword.