The Moral Implications of a Pet Law
I have a cat. A great male orange tabby named Pinesol. He has become a large part of my life and, currently, my closest friend. He was first acquired by a friend of mine who ended up going to jail. Piney ended up spending something like six months on the street. The people and I at my apartment complex fed him and let him chill whenever we could, but, for all intensive purposes, he was homeless.
Winter began to approach and it was decided by my apartment mates and me that he should have a home. There was no question as to whose home that should be, seeing as that Pinesol had chosen for himself. He had figured out that, when I check my mail, my keys jingle. He would hear this and come out, meowing up a storm; and of course I could never refuse him.
During the time I was living there, I felt obligated to let him out. He was the apartment complex mascot, as I saw it. He had spent his entire life at this place and it would be cruel not to let him out. After all, all I have to do to call him is shake my keys.
But then I moved. I was aware of a city ordinance enacted, I suppose, to save cat’s lives. It is illegal to have a cat outside that is not attached to a leash. There is little doubt that this law is sparsely enforced. Pine lived outside and was let outside for as long as a year and he never got into trouble, nor did any of the other neighborhood cats, nor any of my friend’s cats. To me, that logic is irrelevant. I am always thinking philosophically. To me the question is: Is it morally justifiable to enact such a law? The quandary is framed, in my mind, as follows: Is it better to have cats protected from dying by having them kept inside, or is it better to let them be as they are and allow them to roam? Is quantity of life more important than quality of life?
Before I get into large questions, let me state a few things. First, dogs are different creatures. There are other animals that I don’t know how they’d do if allowed to wander. I’m only talking about cats here.
Second, I am sure there are other good reasons for the law to be on the books, such as the protection of animal control people. I am not without sympathy for the people who have to clean up dead pets all day. This discussion is not about that, though. It should be had, but my question rests in another area.
Third, though I am leaning in one direction, my mind is not made up.
Fourth, let me elaborate on another point question. Is the right of the cat to be free outweighed by their owner’s right to have a healthy cat to pet? This is a topic I have struggled with at some length. I have experienced the days when Pine just doesn’t want to come in. What if he’s been killed? Is he hungry, thirsty? I wish he’d just fucking show up! It is much safer to keep them inside. It’s probably the preference of most owners to keep them inside. But the question is, is that the preference of most cats? The unequivocal answer to that is “No.”
I have to think that it is selfish to think of my pleasure above that of my cat. I see him as a true friend. He shares, to the extent he can, decisions about the apartment. He always gets a taste of the tuna I’m preparing. Though I may want him inside for my peace of mind, he clearly wants outside. I cannot use this argument as a justification of keeping him in.
Which brings me back to the real question. Is his quality of life more important than its quantity? I am currently of the opinion that it is quality. I live my life this way. Other friend pet owners agree. I think if I could ask the cat, he would say, “Just let me the hell out!” But can the question be re-framed, “Isn’t the quality of the life of a cat, quantity?” Can you ask the cat this one? He’d tell me he can take care of himself. But the dumbest brat teenager who wants to blow up a cat is 1000 times smarter than my smart cat. I’m only dis-ing on brat teenagers here. Sorry to offend any cool teens.
Maybe the real question is the animal protection people question. Is it justifiable to add more dead pets to a shitty job? Does keeping cats inside even protect them? If a kept in cat escapes, aren’t they more likely to run away? Questions questions, fucking questions. That doesn’t even touch of the futility of getting a cat to wear a leash. And aren’t cat leashes designed to free the cat if it gets caught on something? AAARRRGG!
And that’s my blog entry on pet laws. Comments? Help me figure this out?