Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-11
EXCEPTIONS TAKEN
MEMBERS OF HUMANE SOCIETY
DEFEND THE FELINE.
Views Expressed in Recent Interview
Regarded as Absurd-Instances
Of Cat Love.

Members Of the Humane Society in this
city strongly contradict the statements
quoted recently in The Star In an interview
with guest at an uptown hotel on the sub
5ect OF stray cats. They claim that the
views on the subject of cats expressed In
this interview are at variance with the
facts, and are not to be seriously considered
by sound-thinking persons. 1t was stated
by this visitor to the city that every few
days we read in the newspapers Of the
death Of some person from a cat bite"
THAT assertion Is absolutely absurd"
said prominent member Of the Humane
Society to a reporter for The Star thiI
morning. I'VE do not read of such death
once in five years-hardly so often as that.
l have owned cats all my life. AS a child
one of a large family-we had pets of all
kinds; we loved them and they loved US,
and We cared for them as long they
lived. There was not single instance Of
any OF US being bitten by either cat or dog
As to cats that roam the street and make
night hideous by their noises, think If the
public could be instructed to drown all but
one OF a litter Of kittens this nuisance
would be very much abated. The one
should be left to keep the mother from suf
ferinS. Any one objecting to this method Of
disposal may send postal to Mr.. Buckley
at cat shelter. 2OO7 SD street. which will
bring that gentleman to the door in his
wagon, and he will speedily remove the I'M
desired family. The cat shelter Is sustained
by the Humane Society-a society dependent
Would that more would help US in this
much-needed work.
An Instance Cited.
"As to cats being fonder OF places than Of
people. could give thousand instances to
prove the contrary, but one will suffice. Soon
after my marriage 1 rescued a poor little
ST. he
backyard variety. with no pedigree or let
ter Of recommendation. She grew into a
beautiful cat. and we called her Nelly Gray
on account of her handsome coat. During
Nelly's life We moved six times. each time
taking her with us--the first time she and
her five fur babies. In every instance Nelly
took kindly TO her new abode and never
made the slightest effort to escape. In two
cases the new house was but two blocks
from the old, but Nelly evidently had faith
in the famtly's Judgment that the move
was for the best, and cast her lot In with
the rest. She was always a most affection
ate, responsive creature, and an excellent
mouser, though always well fed, which last
shows that II Is not necessary to starve cats
In order to have them keep the house clear
OF mice.
1.-The poor, hunted, thirsty, starving pussy
of the back fence is not at her best and
her intelligence Is OF low order. Take the
child of the slums. in many cases brought
up with blows, III fed, half clothed-does
she compare in intelligence with your we'll
cared for darling?
II met one day a neighbours little girl
carrying her old pet cat down the street.
On inQuiring. l found that she intended
taking 1t some distance away and throwing
II over certain high fence into a vacant
lot. Mamma is tired Of the cat said the
child, and We don't want her any more
l took poor pussy home. and later, as she
was old and sick. mercifully put her to
sleep. But l thought a child brought up
with 30 little heart will want to throw
mamma over the fence when she becomes
old and troublesome.
There is but one law OF kindness In the
world, which includes everything that feels
even poor pussy"