In the event of Societal Upheaval (i.e., "Stuff" HTF) - the Feral Pet Problem

[BENESSE]

But just as tasty!

Bon Apetit, I don't believe I'll have any, thank you just the same.

[Winnie]

cats wont wipe out small game. everything they eat breeds like crazy and many predators that eat small game will be praying on the cats as well which means they will be praying a little less on small game since cats will make up a percentage of there diet that once was filled only by native small game. also the native predators are just as good at hunting as cats so the pray are already adapted to deal with cats hunting abilities and predators wont have competition beyond their own abilities. also cats dont deal well with the cold and snow up north and their population wouldn't grow that big. they would be weak and prayed on during the winter.

Before Bobcat was permanently grounded, he was a terror (hence why he was grounded) A typical week could consist of several songbirds, 4 or 5 mice/voles and at least one rabbit. That doesn't include the robbed out nests in the breeding season, hen game birds he'd taken off their nests and eggs(yes eggs!) A cat is one of the most destructive predators. And I doubt cold weather would stop them either. Might reduce their breeding cycle to the warmer months, but that's about it.

[RichJ]

The dogs I was referring to, a raised hand would mean a lost arm, if you think they're going to charge you straight on, that kind of naivete will get you killed.

No, I don't think what I wrote came across as what I intended. What I mean is that dogs are smart enough to be trained with hand signals and understand completely what you want it to do just by signaling. I can raise my hand to my dog and he immediately knows to stop what he's doing or else he's going to get smacked. If dogs can learn that, I would think after seeing a few of their buddies get shot, a dog will quickly associate cirtain postures (an aimed gun) with something bad.

I don't think they would charge as a pack but rather circle you the way you say. When they see an opportunity, one will break the circle and charge in.

[Rick]

Feral dogs are a lot smarter than we often give them credit for. In an urban environment...

1. They ride the subway to extend their territory.
2. They learn which humans are most likely to drop their food when startled. They sneak up behind them and bark, then grab the food.
3. They've learn how to use crosswalks and cross WITH the light.
4. They instinctively know which humans appear most likely to harm them and hide while coming out to those they think will feed them.
5. They've become so good at acquiring food that they often eat only the best food leaving other food untouched.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121123197068805001.html

[owl_girl]

And I doubt cold weather would stop them either. Might reduce their breeding cycle to the warmer months, but that's about it.

in MN the cold weather killed them and coyotes hunted them. i didnt see many cats away from where people were supporting them. they would come to our house desperately looking for food, they were so skinny. they would eat the suit cakes for the birds. they were to scared to come near. and sometimes they would die just from cold. i think cars are a bigger threat to small game.

[trax]

@Rick: Yeah, some of that stuff you posted I saw a thing on tv about a few years ago, (been a few years since I watched tv) in my earlier posts I wasn't even thinking about them in an urban environment which would be the primary concern for most here.

@RichJ: the dogs I was thinking of have had no training, but like I said in my earlier post, they hear one shot and the entire pack disappears. My advice for anyone dealing with a pack of feral dogs, be about 75 yards away with a scoped .22-250 or .223. If you can get them near food ( a gut pile works well!) you can pop two or three before the pack scatters. Again, maybe not such good advice for an urban setting.

[Rick]

Cats around here are getting pretty survival savvy.....yeah, it's wool.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Some are pretty highly organized.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

[RichJ]

@RichJ: the dogs I was thinking of have had no training...

No, your still not getting what I mean. Of course they will not have had hand signal training. I mean if they (dogs in general) are smart enough to be trained that way, they are smart enough to pick up on certain things and quickly learn from it.

[Mountain Man]

I`m thinking this will vary depending where you live.

IE: The city can be a HUGE problem but rural, especially with freezing winters I think will be much less of an issue.

I think there will be an initial spike in feral pets and problems associated but it will settle down after the food chain adjusts for it, and other game (and humans) start making their meals out of rover.

[trax]

No, your still not getting what I mean. Of course they will not have had hand signal training. I mean if they (dogs in general) are smart enough to be trained that way, they are smart enough to pick up on certain things and quickly learn from it.

I'm agreeing with you!!!

[Rick]

Some dogs are slow learners.

[RichJ]

I'm agreeing with you!!!

Ok.

[Winnie]

I see where you're coming from OG. It's not just the U.S these things may happen in. I'm thinking of any region. I lived in Scotland for some years, Feral cats thrive in the Highlands. They are the top mammal predator there, along with the Scottish Wildcat (which they interbreed with) like I said, weather conditions only keeps the breeding season to the warmer months. Perhaps this is where the problem arises, you've got bigger predators in the U.S. These cats have had years to adapt to the terrain they live in, as I've no doubt many feral dog packs have too. That's the way I look at things anyhoo.

[Trabitha]

Even in WWII they resorted to horse meat (horse...considered one of the most noble of animals), in a pinch...I think we humans will do what we need to do in those survival situations. Even those who are admittedly against eating horse, squirrel, bugs, or household pets...will have a rather hard time getting past their or their child's hunger pains and choose. I can guarantee, the household animal will NOT win out. Hunger is a terrible thing. It will make you do many things you never thought you would ever do, even roast up your beloved Fido.

[DOGMAN]

For feral dogs and cats, it would just be survival of the fittest. Some of them would die off pretty quick or get killed by humans. But a few always will get by and not get trapped or shot. Dogs are incredibly smart animals...anyone who thinks different is a damned fool. Dogs are much smarter than wolves, coyotes or HUMANS.

Dogs have trained humans...not the other way around....they just have most of us fooled. They act goofy and dumb, but while we humans are treating them like our children, and we're out working to buy them food, toys, vet care, etc...they are sleeping on our sofa or bed, poopin on our floors (which we will pick-up) and chewing on our priced possessions. I have seen many people treat dogs like kings...but I've rarely seen a dog treat a human like one.

[Batch]

Feral cats are already a problem down here. They definitely impact wildlife in areas they are concentrated.

For me all mammals make the menu. No hang ups there.

As for being attacked ny dogs or cats for that matter. Dogs are much better equipped to tear you arse up. Use a weapon and be majorly aggressive.

[BENESSE]

. I have seen many people treat dogs like kings...but I've rarely seen a dog treat a human like one.

Dogs have saved many a human life.
To me that's more important than being treated like a king. That's what a girlfriend's for. ('til you marry her)

[BENESSE]

As long as we're talking...hope y'all are prepared to kick it up a notch:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uruguay...rce_Flight_571

[Batch]

They are dead and can save a life. Eat...

[Trabitha]

Nope. I can honestly say that I would starve before I would cannibalize. Can't do it and can't feed it to my child...
I think that's in the same category as "brian", to me. Don't ask me to eat a brain of ANYTHING. I've tried, and couldn't do it. To me, it's like eating someone's soul...