CATS 13 



in appearance does not account for the divergence of color 

 in domestic cats but this would follow naturally, as in most 

 animals under the control of man. Long-haired or Persian 

 cats, Manx, Siamese and other forms are simply variations 

 of this old stock. 



General Care 



Commonly kept as a check to the increase of rats and 

 mice, the cat has tolerated man and rendered service in 

 return for protection. Because of the detached and in- 

 scrutable habit of the animal, comparatively few become 

 " companions of the fireside." Far too many are kept in 

 the verge of reversion to their natural wild condition. City 

 and country alike abound with half-wild creatures which 

 yield but partial or even no allegiance to man and secure 

 their food by foraging. Much of this unfortunate condi- 

 tion is attributable to irresponsible owners, who desert cats 

 with unfeeling carelessness, or so underfeed them that their 

 hunger is a menace to all small edible creatures. Cats of 

 this type are the most formidable enemies of the remnant 

 of our wild bird life, and the constantly increasing pressure 

 of conservationists certainly will soon bring legal relief 

 from the scourge. No feeling person would cast a cat upon 

 its own resources and no public-spirited citizen will allow 

 it to maintain itself by further depleting our valuable birds. 



Properly cared for, the cat becomes quite a different 

 animal. Although commonly considered inferior in intel- 

 ligence to the dog, it is rather an unlikeness in tempera- 

 ment, the two creatures forming perfect antitheses. But 

 the very impenetrability of the cat is a charm which attracts 

 many persons, and certainly gives it a dignity which few 

 animals attain. Well fed and kept within reasonable bounds, 

 the cat can render full return to its owner, without infring- 

 ing on the rights of others. 



