Final Self-Reflection

Because of this project, I now respect cats a little more than I have previously. I am a dog person and will always be, but after learning the history of the domestication of cats, I will agree that cats have been quite valuable to society. This new-found respect was highlighted recently over Thanksgiving break, when I found out that there were several little mice living in our home. After several (very frustrated) failed attempts at catching them, I silently conceded that I wish I had a cat to catch them for me.

The topics and the things we learned in class did not surprise me much. As a senior in animal sciences, I had already been exposed to most, if not all, of these topics. However I still enjoyed class, even though a  lot of the lectures made me sad or want to cry. The issues that impacted me the most were violence to animals, pet loss/owner grief and the 'Mine' documentary. It is really upsetting to see any kind of violence that inflicts pain on an animal, because they are so undeserving of it. It is also very painful lose a pet that you've bonded closely with, and it's even worse when you have to leave them behind due to a natural disaster. I think that the emotional toll that this takes on people is extremely underrated and ignored, making it harder to cope with.

Overall, this course re-informed my beliefs that animals are deserving of respect and humane treatment. From the lectures on animal emotion and intelligence, it is clear that we simply cannot ignore the fact that at the very core of it all, they are just like us: living, sentient creatures with one ultimate goal in life - to survive.

Moral Vision Statement

As human beings, we currently recognize that we are set far apart from all other non-human animals. We place ourselves above all other life forms due to our incredibly complex nature and intellectual abilities. We are at the top of the food chain, and therefore this "justifies" our use of animals and animal products - for food, labor, clothes, etc. We have for so long depended on the use of animals for survival that I believe that we cannot survive for long without them. However, I also recognize that animals are sentient creatures who deserve as much humane treatment as possible. Being at the top of the food chain does not justify animal abuse, cruelty, or inhumane treatment. As such, I propose that humans be mindful of animal use for human benefit. We should always attempt to adequately provide for basic needs (food, water, shelter, veterinary care) and avoid or minimize pain or trauma, especially for animals that are used for human entertainment (circuses, rodeos, etc.).

Compromise

• Living conditions: cats being sold for meat should have their most basic needs met and be provided adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care.
• Source of animals: cat meat consumption should be regulated especially in regards to where these animals came from to avoid the illegal practice of stealing pets.
• Slaughter of animals: the slaughtering of cats for consumption should be as humane as possible (ie. quick and painless). 

All these steps could be accomplished with the establishment of an official regulating body that oversees the industry (like USDA). I believe the main problem is that this trade is unregulated, which leads to inhumane practices. 

Controversial Topic - Con

To Animals Asia:

I am writing to you today in regards to your recent campaigns against the dog and cat meat industry in China. I believe that your concerns about the mistreatment of these animals are correct. Since there is no regulation of this 'industry,' people are getting away with the inhumane practices of keeping these animals in small, cramped environments and not providing for their most basic needs.

It has been shown that cats and dogs are not suitable to be raised and sold commercially, for the simple reason that it is impractical and unprofitable to meet their most basic needs. Unlike livestock, cats and dogs have higher requirements in terms of space and physical activity. Since it is costly to adequately provide for them, farmers would have no incentive to do so. This leads to the physical and mental suffering of the cats and dogs being sold for meat.

However, the proponents of cat meat consumption do have a couple of valid points. For one, it would help decrease the number of stray and abandoned cats, which have been documented to cause problems with spreading disease and disrupting the local wildlife. Another point is that although you may see the consumption of these 'companion animals' as immoral, you should not try to force others to see it that way as well. Many do not see the difference between eating a cat and eating a cow; they are both animals and are edible.

Thank you for your time.

Sources
1. http://right-tourism.com/issues/animals-on-the-menu/dogcat-meat/

Controversial Topic - Pro

To all cat meat salespeople/businesses in China:

I am writing to you today in support of your 'industry.' I know that you have been receiving increasing amounts of protests and pressure from people, native and foreign, to end your 'cruel and immoral' practice of selling cat meat for human consumption. I would like you to know that I support the consumption of cat meat and that you should not fold under your opponents' pressure.

The consumption of cat and dog meat have a history that pre-dates the notion of keeping them as pets. This notion is the primary argument against cat meat consumption, especially in the western world where cats are revered as 'part of the family.' As a result of this cultural notion, eating such animals is condemned. However, this is not a justifiable argument to ban the consumption of cat meat in China. There is nothing inherently immoral or cruel about eating cats. It's only because of societal constructs that it is viewed as abominable by many. In Islam, pork consumption is prohibited yet you do not see Muslims trying to ban pork consumption for everyone else. I am a strong supporter of the "live and let live" philosophy. 

Eating cats has two very important benefits to it: it provides a cheap and viable source of protein and food for poor families who cannot afford other meats, and it helps eliminate the cat overpopulation problem. In the United States, stray and feral cats roam the streets and cause problems for the community, and hundreds of thousands of animals sit in animal shelters or are euthanized because there are simply not enough homes for them. In China, there are many impoverished areas with many hunger-ridden families who cannot afford enough food to sustain themselves. Cats are abundant and therefore cheap; cat consumption seems like the most logical solution.

However, there have been reports that the cats in your trade suffer from inhumane living conditions. such as cramming a large number of cats in a small cage, lack of veterinary care, and some even question the source of these animals (some are stolen pets). While the eating of cats may not be inherently cruel, but subjecting them to harsh treatment is. It is impertinent that you try to give these animals enough space, food, water, and medical care as long as they are still live, sentient beings. Your humane treatment will give people one less reason to protest.

Thank you for your time.

Controversial Topic

The consumption of cat meat and the use of domesticated cats as food is not very widespread, but it is common enough in some places to create controversy with animal rights groups. There is a common misconception that cats are commonly eaten in Asia, particularly China, but the fact of the matter is that cat consumption is taboo in most areas, except for a few. These places are the Guandong and Guanxi provinces of China. There are other cultures that have been known to include cat meat on their menus as well, including Vietnam, Korea, and parts of South America.

Many people from Western cultures are particularly aroused by this topic, because the western culture places such a high value on cats as companion animals. To us, to think eat cat meat is often abominable and revolting because we see them as part of our own family. For those who do consume cat meat, it is completely normal and they see no difference between eating a cat and eating beef or chicken. Especially in the poorer parts of Asia, cats are seen as a valuable and abundant food source, not companion animals or family members. But it should be noted that even in cultures that eat cat meat, people still may have cats at home as companion animals.

There are those who are against eating cats (and dogs, for that matter) because they believe it is morally unethical, and then there are those who are against it not because the eating of the meat itself is unethical, but the conditions the animals are raised in are often extremely inhumane. My personal opinion on this topic leans towards the latter; I have no issue with people eating cats, but if there is going to be such an industry, there should be regulations that require adequate food, shelter, and veterinary care.

Cats intended for consumption crowded in cages

References
http://messybeast.com/eat-cats.htm
http://media.wix.com/ugd/19a760_6a1ef886783c45788b0f9ff92215dd50.pdf
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/03/09/china.animals/

Religion/Mythology

Historically in Europe and in the United States, black cats are seen as unlucky or "evil" because it was once thought that they were associated with witches. It was once believed that witches could turn into black cats, or that they were "familiars" of witches. This myth started largely in the Middle Ages, when people began to associate the nocturnal creatures with being the "supernatural servants of witches" (Glenda Moore). This obviously had a very negative effect on how the public viewed the species. Because of these superstitions, cats were killed alongside suspected "witches" at the stake in widespread "witch hunts" of Europe that took place in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. The association of black cats and witchcraft is still strong today, as can be seen from the abundance of black cat imagery in Halloween themes. Even in modern times, some people still believe that it's bad luck to have a black cat cross your path.

Black cats are still commonly associated with Halloween and witches.

References
http://cats.about.com/od/catloreurbanlegends/a/blackcatlore.htm
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/09/why-black-cats-are-considered-bad-luck/
http://voices.yahoo.com/cats-cultures-medieval-europe-6224388.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch-hunt#Early_Modern_Europe