Mama Rabbit In Mourning Vigil

[frigilux]

Here's one from the 'nature is cruel' files.

For the second year, my front yard was playing host to a rabbit's nest. There were three little bouncers, and their mother was dropping by late in the evening to feed them.

I was visiting friends on Tuesday evening, and when I returned at around 8:00, there was a large gray-striped cat sitting on my driveway, licking its chops. I ran over to the nest, and sure enough, all three had been brutally killed.

I scooped up the...pieces...and threw them down in the tall grass by the river and when I returned to my house, I saw the mother rabbit had been witness to it all, near the retaining wall on the hilly north side of the front yard.

Wednesday morning, around 5:30, I looked out and Killer Cat had returned and was sitting by the now empty nest. I chased it away with a broom (how geriatric!) and by 9:00 a.m., the mother rabbit had returned and settled in next to a tree, about two feet from the nest. She left for awhile last night, so I thought maybe she figured out the babies were gone, but she's back again, today, keeping vigil. It's heartbreaking!

 

[nmassman44]

I do feel for that rabbit. What I dont get is why people let their cats out and roam like that. Mine dont go out and they are quite content on staying in the house. They love to look out the window and they have no desire to go out. I dont have fleas to deal with and I dont have to face finding one of them dead in the road or eaten by something. Its a shame.

 

[scott55405]

Mike I wanted to say the same thing but was afraid I'd get flamed by cat people. So I'm happy to hear it directly from a cat person. It's clearly for their own good to stay inside as well as other creature's.

I feel very sad about the rabbits and the poor mom.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I have five cats and only one wants to go outside, he was an outdoor cat when he was younger. I will take him out for about 5 or 10 minutes and a stay with him. He usually just eats a little grass, and walks around the back yard a little. He is never outdoors unattended or for long periods of time. He very content, just laying out on the enclosed back porch sunning himself.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I feel sorry for the poor mother. There is a family of rabbits in pile of branches in our back yard, I love to watch them early in the mornings from my chair on the porch. It was really cute one day the two babies were out, the squirrels were out, and two baby groundhogs. One baby rabbit and one squirrel touched noses and both jumped straight in the air and the baby groundhogs just kind of looked at each other as if there were saying what hell was that all about.

 

[danemodsandy]

The Truth About Cats:

My vet gave me some stark statistics about indoor vs. outdoor cats:

Indoor cats have a life expectancy of around fourteen years.

Outdoor cats have a life expectancy of around four years.

Big difference.

I also concur that keeping cats indoors is easier on wildlife like squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits.

 

[jeffg]

My dad took my brother and I rabbit hunting when I was five. I bawled like crazy. They're so adorable.

But this hypocrisy is built into the system. I'll never understand the hunter's mentality, who sees magnificent living creatures simply as food. From the cat's perspective these bunnies were just a really good meal.

On the other hand, if it weren't for this mentality, we'd never get to enjoy a steak or hamburger.

 

[autowasherfreak]

My oldest cat is around 16 years old, and she is terrified of the outside. She won't even go near an open door. But loves to lay in the windows, and sun herself.

 

[toggleswitch2]

It's an odd world in that we all have to kill to eat.
Even vegetarians.

There was a cat that lived in my current apartment (before I did) with its master, (who is unbeknowest to me). When he moved, he abandoned that cat who now lives in the garages. I hope he has all his claws! The neighbors are good to him.

I simply can't cave-in and let him move in, especially now that he has tasted freedom! He tries like hell to get into my common hallway/stairway and apt!

Cute bunny Eugene. I feel for momma.

 

[nmassman44]

Jeff cats that are well fed and that go out only hunt for play. Often times they dont eat what they kill. I have seen that time and time again with cats that I had in the past that did go out. Nothing like finding a dead carcass of a mouse or bird or even worse a snake on the doorstep or one brought into the house. I used to get the look of ...dad look what I caught!! Impressive at first but then that wears off.
Toggles that cat should get help. I would either call animal control or let it in. think of it this way ...imagine yourself living in a house and your owner up and leaves you...you land outside to fend for yourself and you have no idea what will happen. A cat that has been taken care of by someone depends on that person for everything. If it were me I would hunt that owner down and they wouldnt forget the cat again after I would be thru with em.

 

[toggleswitch2]

~Toggles that cat should get help.

And so should the other two who hang with him!

There are at least two women in my apt. complex who leave their garages paritally open for him and the others, providing shelter, and also feed and water him.

I'd really love to help him, but if he bonds with me and I walk to where he used to live, I'll never be able to get into my apt. without him!

He survived this past winter and I'm very happy for that!

 

[jeffg]

> Jeff cats that are well fed and that go out only hunt for play. Often times they dont eat what they kill. <

The same is true for some human hunters, too. It's even more incomprehensible to me than killing to eat.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Animals basically only kill to feed themselves or their young, or to protect their brood.

Humans however......

 

[jeffg]

True for most animals, however cats are one of the few that are known to kill for no apparent purpose.

They say apparent purpose, because no one knows for sure. It could be for practice, or play, or just for the heck of it.

 

[peterh770]

A very good friend of mine has rabbits. She told me that wild rabbit work this way. They have their babies, and leave them during the day. Basically, the adults protect themselves so that they can reproduce by getting away from their nests because the babies are such easy targets. Cruel nature.

Do you know to whom the cat belongs? I would have a long conversation with them...

 

[toggleswitch2]

me?

The former owner is long gone and I don't know him and have never met or seen him.

 

[bugsyjones]

Hmmm...Not too sure about those Indoor/Outdoor cat life expectancies...

I have two cats, both have lived WAY longer than 4 years. They are tandem indoor and outdoor. They only come inside to eat, nap, if it's too cold/hot, or raining.

They spend alot of time outside. My oldest cat (10 years) catches birds and mice and the occasional rabbit. She usually eats them though, not just hunting for fun. The younger cat doesn't hunt too much.

I don't mind them killing. It keeps those mice out of my house and the rabbits out of my garden.

I suppose if you keep you cats vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and maintain flea and pest control, they can live long lives just like indoor cats.

~Tim

 

[danemodsandy]

Tim:

Those are averages.

My vet tells me the two biggest problems for outdoor cats are cars and dogs, with cars much the more dangerous. In areas that aren't too built up, a cat might stand a pretty decent chance.

I almost lost my Tony when he was not quite two years old; he was allowed out during the day then. Tony is neutered, but one of our neighbours had an un-neutered psycho cat named Elvis. Well, Elvis cornered Tony one day and ripped his abdomen open; thank God we heard the yowling and could get the little guy to the vet.

Tony's an indoor cat these days, hale and hearty at nearly ten. And Elvis?

A car got him four years ago.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Waiter, there is a hair in my soup.

Many a New York City restaurant keeps a cat as a mouser and roach-eater.

 

[a440]

Poor Rabbit Momma!

That sucks! Rabbit's will continue to produce and get wiser the next time. I love Rabbit's and had one for a long time when I was a kid. Was the cleanest animal I ever had. She would sleep with me at night.
Cat's.....they are all so different. You can't apply rules to any one cat. That is what makes them so unique.
As far as life expectancies of cats....it varies. My oldest (Toby) is 23. He has always been an indoor cat and I got him before his eyes opened because he mother died. He is wonderful. He is blind. He gets around great, and yes, he is still the BOSS of the house! He is clawing at my legs now as I type!
I have another indoor cat named Tigger that is 15 and is fat as a fat cat could ever be. (he is the one in my profile picture)
I have a dear cat that has been with us for 5 years named Lulu. She has her own apartment in the garage that is air-conditioned and heated. When she first came to us she was terribly abused and at deaths door. Of course I took her in and helped her. Well at first she would kill anything that came in the yard! And of course bring it to me! After a few years she finally caught on that I did not want her "treats" to us. She now does not kill. She does go out about 4 hours in the evening, and she just watches now.
It is a cat's nature to kill anything that comes not only into her yard, but her "owners" yard. They are very protective Just like a dog that protects their yard cats do also. They can be trained with time and sadly several deaths....that the intruders are cool and accepted. They are only looking out for the space that they cruise. It is only their nature until they are taught otherwise.
Sorry again about the rabbits. The cat is only being a cat.
Brent

 

[sudsmaster]

I also think that the stats on indoor vs outdoor cats can be a bit misleading. A lot depends on the human element and the environment. As stated, if one keeps an outdoor cat's shots and flea treatments up to date (thank god for Frontline Plus), and neuter the cat so it's not so prone to wander, then an outdoor cat need not have a short life.

One key is to allow the outdoor cat access to get into the house at will. A cat door. Another key is to provide it with a secure outdoor area, safe from dogs and other predators.

I have two cats. Both have full access to both house and outside. The older, female cat spends nearly all her time indoors, and goes outside only occasionally - and often she wants me to accompany her when she does. The other cat spends nearly all his time outdoors, although when it's cold and rainy he'll come inside for longer periods to sleep and stay warm. It's fortunate that I have a relatively (for this area) large property on a cul-de-sac, with secure fences and a gate so that the back yard is free from dogs and other common cat predators, and the traffic in the cul-de-sac is not a threat to the cats if they venture out the front.

The outdoor cat grew up at a friend's house and his mother taught him how to catch and kill rodents. So the back yard is mouse/rat free, and he's even put a dent in the local squirrel population. I consider that a service ;-). Never seen a rabbit in the area. The indoor cat can catch things but she doesn't know how to kill them. I have rescued two hummingbirds she caught when she was younger, and brought inside, both still alive and capable of flight. Moths are another of her favorite "presents", lol...

Toggs, it's too bad you don't want a house cat. I imagine that cat would settle in very comfortably into your apt. And even though he's "tasted freedom", I suspect he'd be perfectly fine with staying in the apt 7x24 if you took care of him. But I understand not everyone wants to live with a cat.

 

[tolivac]

Sad to say-but rabbits are PREY animals for cats,dogs,coyotes,wolves,wildcats,and even humans.
My neighbors cats mostly live outside-the main danger to them is cars.A couple have been killed by cars.Other hazards for cats in my area-besides cars and dogs-is raccoons and possums.Sometimes big snapping turtles will get them.A housecat can be a meal for a passing raccoon or possum.And both are in my neighborhood.Oh yes the neighbors cats kill birds,mice and even squirrels.Saw one of the cats grab a squirrel and kill it.Good -plenty of birds,mice and squirrels.Mice and squirrels are prey creatures just like rabbits.All three can reproduce quickly.Don't worry-moma rabbit will have another litter-and she will probably move her nest.Besides cats dogs will kill and eat baby rabbits.Tender meal for either a cat or dog.Yes,female cats especially will bring killed creatures to you-she is treating you like another cat.Both male and female cats give prey animals they caught to each other.Later to the litter.And still alive so the kittens can learn to catch and subdue their prey.All cats do this-from house cats to lions and tigers.
A great benefit from the neighbors cats-my mousetraps have been catching dust in the closet!

 

[syndets2000]

Cats n prey...

I tend to believe that nature keeps things balanced this way, so I see the Rabbits as just another part of the food chain- I also believe that if one owns a cat, they need to be responsible for it, keeping it up to date on shots, spayed etc-
It is not a comfortable thing to witness what you did, but it is just how things are....
You should also try a meal of rabbit yourself, you would probably see it a bit differently.....

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Smart Outdoor Cats

We had an outdoor cat for 16 years. He only came in to eat and nap so we didn't need a litter box. He'd walk to the curb, look both ways, then saunter across the street.

Ken D.

 

[andrewinorlando]

It's just the animal's instinct, but I hate like hell seeing cats roaming the streets.

Feral cats were a big problem in my neighborhood because some idiots used to feed them. They were wild, nasty, mean and crapped and peed wherever the hell they wanted to in my backyard and elsewhere.

When I started letting my Akita hang out in the yard during the nicer weather, the problem was solved. You know, those damned cats would even go after that dog, until they learned the hard way that they didn't have a snowball's chance in hell. That's how wild and mean these cats had become, that they would try to attack a 125 pound dog.

It's really disgusting having the odor of cat crap and piss wafting through your open windows. Some people are such irresponsible pet owners to just abandon their animals and let them fend for themselves.

 

[danemodsandy]

Cats Will Be Cats...

...Unless they're up to something...

 

[strongenough78]

Awwww how sad!

And I am a huge cat lover, but I try my best to make sure she doesn't any defenseless birds or other animals. She has brought a couple of birds into the house but they weren't dead and were in fact uninjured. So when I let them go I got the guilty look of hurt and disappointment from Mary Jane that I gave back her gift, so to speak. So I do feel your pain Frigilux, I may also love cats, but I also do not like it when they hunt, especially when there is plenty of food for them at home!

 

[jakeseacrest]

My 2 cats are strictly indoor only. When I first got my cat, he wanted to go outside in the worst way. So I brought him on the deck in a major snowstorm and plopped him down! He never wanted to go back outside ever again. My parents had an indoor/outdoor cat who constantly left them "presents" on the back walkway...mice, birds, etc. Not pleasant to step on first thing in the morning when you are barefoot!

 

[sudsmaster]

Raccoon aggression

Maybe the raccoons in North Carolina are more aggressive than those here in California.

I've never seen a raccoon attack a cat here. In fact, I've watched as one of my cats and a raccoon passed close by each other without any interest displayed on the part of the raccoon (the cat seemed a bit wary). I would think that a healthy cat (not declawed) would easily be able to evade a raccoon. Raccoons can't jump, although they are good climbers.

I have had problems with raccoons attacking the fish and turtles in my ponds. They also go with relish for various garden produce such as cherries or grapes. And they will attack chickens that are cornered in a coop (chicken wire does not stop raccoons). I know a couple of people who have lost their hens because they used chicken wire instead of hardware cloth for their coops.

 

[tolivac]

Some of my neighbors warned the fellow that has the cats to try to keep them inside at night becuase of the hazard from the coons and possums.Both of those can be quite feirce-they look placid-but they can fight and take down a housecat.Coons can run-but no they don't jump.Same sort of thing with possums.Raccoons are hunted out here-breeders sell dogs bred just for that use.Same with deer-another breed for deerhunting out here.The dogs tree the coon or chase the deer to the hunter.When the coon has been treed-the hunter can shoot it.Of course I have hit both with my car-don't want to "hunt" them with my car!Those crazy critters jump in front of your car at night.I guess the raccoons are more aggressive out here-and also rabies carriers.another hazard of the coons and possums out my way.If your cat or dog is bit by either one out here-you need to have the bitten animal get his rabies shots.Could apply to people tone of my neighbors raised chickens in my neighborhood-used to hear his roosters crow.Now I haven't heard them in a while-guess he stopped rasing them.Maybe another neighbor complained and the crowing rooster had a date with the oven!
In the case of StrongEnough78 your cat is treating you as another-or a litter of kittens-she is teaching or trying too how to subdue prey.This is something cats do-As a child my stepmoms cat would do the same thing-and as he brought you his "gift" he made the strangest "yowel" to let you know.He brought to us dead or stunned baby rabbits and squirrels,birds.