Secret Life of Cats

Posted 07/24/11 by Gail

Here's a dang question for you, Wouldn't it be alot more importyant for our world to do a movie called " Secret Life of Humans" ?? You think?????

Posted 07/24/11 by Gail

To National Geographin; I will not watch and/or be a fan on facebook etc and like or have any positive feedback on any and or everything you create and do ever anymore. You do not show the public which sadly needs to be educated on, thje real truths of the roots of whatever problem the world is having stem from!! It's us humans that domesticated some species of animals to become pets and ,moved them all over the world to bedin with! Its humans that are leaving them without any land or water or shelter and no form of birth control!! If you didnt know it National Geographic, cats cannot live without eating meat so they have to have it to live and grow to develop so of course if they dont have a human owner to provide it to them they have to hunt and alot of people like the fact of that that have rodents and such things around their living areas to help keep them away. I doint know exactly why God put them here but I would have to say that alot of cats and pets are more deserving to be here than so many sick worthless stupid and or violent humans that I know or hear about on the news every #### day! The native Americans were smart and learned from the animals and found them useful. You know Al Gore even seems smarter than you people because at leasdt his movie an Inconvienant Truth, forgive me if not spelled correct, was the real truth and the big picture of what's important! I heard too that most Austrailians are knock offs from generations of insane or mentally sick people that were placed there along time ago when other countries used to ship their sick criminals there at a prison or big Institution kind of liker ALcatraz Island prison, but to just get rid of the worst of the worst back in the old old days and that the people that are native from there are probably not right in the head because they are probably down the line relatives of trhose people that were locked up over there. Could be where those people aquire their knowledge and beliefs from too. Just something to consider.

Posted 07/24/11 by GAIL

@ANNE: WOW!!! THAT IS A BRILLIANT STATEMENT YOU SAID BY SAYING " IF ANIMAL ACTIVESTS KEEP SAVING ANIMALS,THEN THE ANIMALS WILL START LIVING IN HOUSES AND HUMANS WOULD BE THEIR SLAVES"!!! LOL, not trying to disrespect you but okay girl, what color is the sky in your world?? For one animals, or pets have been shown in clinical studies to help anyone reduce stress ok and we all know, right, that there's plenty of that going around everywhere! If you think seriously that animals are going to organize and aquire property and or land and take people as slaves then it just may go to show some people and or prove that indeed animals are smarter than some humans!! Are you living in or under a cave or rock or something girl?? Where do you get your logic?? Did you even attend like jr. high school, or you 8 years opld or something like that?? PLease ANNe you need to do yourself a favor and I'm honestly just trying to help you maybe if you dont believe me try saying your statement about animals to any decent sorta normal person that cares a little for you and ask them is that the right thing or way to think and say?? Animals sense fear, even fish do and why should they have to be subjected to it when besides we took most of and are taking all of their land from them that God put them here on, so how else are they suppose to eat and survive?? Who are we to decide that we are above them anyways, humans are not the sharpest knife in the drawer obviously if we are destroying our own lovely planet asnd it's air that we need to breathe and it's climate, and ecosystems, its beautiful oceans are almost totally destroyed for animals or humans to get life from and I could go on and on girl!! Anne please attend a lil more schooling, and do lots of reading and get some halfway educated people around you for some time because sweetie you need to learn about life and the real world and truths and reality because maybe your parents or caretakers when you were younger hid you from the world and a decent or fair education and upbringing because your reality and views are far off!!

Posted 07/23/11 by David

Villifying other peoples pets as predatory and destructive is the worst kind of bullying, The most dangerous, predatory and destructive animal seen on this planet lives right here in our homes, It is called THE HUMAN BEING!!! Films like this are typical of this destructive tendency, Look to yourselves before blaming innocent creatures who grace us with their presence and make our lives more bearable.

Posted 07/23/11 by Cats are people too

Shame on you National Geographic for showing this on your channel. There are too many ignorant fools in this world who hurt cats. This film will encourage those people to kill cats. People are bad enough as it is. Don't show me people killing cats. I'd give my life for my cat, and people who hurt cats and dogs are the lowest of the low. If cats are causing those Australian failures to go extinct, just collect all the cats and move them somewhere else. Evolution didn't stop when people moved to Australia. Cats are just good at what they do, and if they cause those animals to go extinct.... well that is survival of the fittest. Oh, and if the cat doesn't belong in Australia because it didn't evolve there, then anyone other than the aborigine tribes should immediately leave Australia since they didn't evolve there either. Cats would have found their own way to that island and ransacked it eventually anyway, even if we didn't introduce it. That cat that ate the heads off those chicks was just making a statement. This is one of the most misleading and OFFENSIVE films I've ever been exposed to. I now choose to boycott ANYTHING that is related to National Geographic. Next time you want to show people beating, shooting and eating one of the most adored animals on earth, put up a descriptive warning. I hope no animals were harmed just for the cameras.

Posted 07/22/11 by zippideedoodah

I'm completely stunned that this documentary on the sad consequences of feline predatory behaviors failed to address the simplest and least expensive solution to be found: BELLS, BELLS, BELLS, BELLS, BELLS, BELLS, BELLS!!! Safety collars and bells! If you have a domesticated cat who may kill or maim local wildlife, please try to consider SAFETY COLLARS WITH BELLS. Ciao.

Posted 07/13/11 by forest

I started to watch this film but could tell after watching a few minutes that it wasn't the type of film I thought it was. Instead it appears to be a film intent on villifying cats. I'm disqusted that this is a National Geographic Society film. There are all ready enough people in this country (and world) willing to harm and torture cats and this film will only encourage them to do so; and make them feel justified in their actions. Shame on National Georgraphic for helping them to be willing to do so.

Posted 07/12/11 by Larry

While there are some truths in the film, especially concerning island habitats, I find it difficult to believe that you condemn cats for killing rabbits and mice? It is stated in the video that cats have an adverse effect on the environment, but in actuality, the environment in many cases was so weakened by human presence, that the addition of cats adds the final straw. If we had not wiped out cougars, wolves, bobcats, etc. from many areas of the U.S., feral cats would not have been able to multiply to the extent they have, and "house-cats" would avoid straying too far out of the safety of their territory. Even so, they (cats) can certainly upset the balance in many circumstances. However, if you want people to take the situation seriously, don't shove a cat-hater in their faces that wears a cat-skin hat and has a bumper sticker that says: "The only good cat is a flat cat." At the very least, this is an insult to anyone who likes cats, and will tend to drive them away from the more serious issue here. The bottom line to all of this is it's not cats that are responsible for the decimation of nature. It is, after all, humans who "introduce" non-native species, who destroy habitat, who slaughter predators...another century or two it probably won't matter though, it's doubtful anything will survive us.

Posted 07/12/11 by Barbara

Why do people let their cats roam outside anyway? I've never let one of my cats outside & I don't feel it's detrimental to their lives. I agree with the poster who said this is very anti-cat. (S)He if right. Cats are fantastic animals, they do what they do. I'm far less appalled by a cat's hunting than by man's belief that we are at the top of the food chain. That's just a joke.

Posted 07/12/11 by T Popelka

Does the fake limp to Rebecca's doorstep... hey, can I get some food and pampering, too? Mew?

Posted 07/11/11 by Victoria

@Lucky WOW that is exactly as I feel. Very enlightning comment.

Posted 07/11/11 by Brett

It's an anti cat film, worse it makes you think it's not to sucker you in then bam it's crap on the cats.

Posted 07/09/11 by MeMe

ARE YOU SERIOUS WITH THIS FILM!? Come on, a cat can't be a cat any longer, the cat is a predator! All predators hunt, that's what a predator does. Cats have been hunting for thousands of years! OK, try domesticating a shark, and then get in the pool with it, and don't expect it to attack, kill and eat you! WHOMEVER MADE THIS FILM IS AN IMBECILE! And all you "wildlife" nuts out there, thinking cats are the ones largely responsible for depleting the "wildlife" population, you better take a good look at manufactures using chemicals to produce their products plastics and then see the studies on how this depletes the wildlife!

Posted 07/08/11 by Highroller

A cat IS a predator. Yes keeping them indoors is safer for the cat. The same could be said for children. I think it really depends on where you live and if you NEED predators to keep down the vermin population and how exposed cats are to automobile traffic in your area. I for one am delighted to see my cats bring in mice and such. They think cats breed fast? They really need to check into how fast mice and rabbits breed. Yes all my cats are spayed or neutered. The movie seems to advocate doing that to ALL cats. This of course would make the cat species extinct. The people that made the movie really need to get a clue.

Posted 07/08/11 by Joseph

All else being equal, cats do not belong outside. They belong inside the house. They may tell you different, but once you let your cat out, they become part of the problem.

Posted 07/08/11 by Miriam Perez

I agree, the animal is not at fault. I have seen families move away and just leave their pets behind after giving them a home food and a place to sleep safely. They don't spay or neuter and the wonder why we have an overpopuation problem. I have 3 of my own indoors and take care of 11 outside my home I spay every female that comes to the feeding area first the the males. People need to have compassion for these creatures, like the elderly and children they are defensless against human cruelty and ignorance.

Posted 07/08/11 by Jennifer

I also agree with some other comments about this film. It was more "anti-cat" than I would have thought from the title. Showing abandoned cats and the problems that causes and not really asking humans to step up and take responsiblity for this. Instead acting like it is the cats' fault that they are natural hunters. Being hunters isn't the problem, humans "dumping" cats & their being able to reproduce is the problem.

Posted 07/08/11 by Jennifer

SPAY AND NEUTER all pets & ferals and STOP the dumping of cats by ignorant people (which are truly the cause of the whole feral cat overpopulation). THIS will alleviate the problem and restore the natural balance. They don't need to be killed, they just need to be unable to reproduce. Also, keeping pet cats indoors or at least indoors during early morning when birds feed is good advice. Humans have domesticated the cat and therefore need to take responsiblity for them. If you have any pet that isn't spayed or neutered, please have them fixed right away. Too many animals are killed each year due to overpopulation and the problems overpopulation causes. Be a responsible pet owner, I beg you.

Posted 07/07/11 by Lucky

@David @Annie All life is important. No life is more important than the other. Even plant life. Humans need plants, and animals to survive on this planet. We are not the most important creature on this earth. Humans life isn't anymore more or less important that an animal or plant. People need to get that notion out their head. The whole planet is suffering not just humans. More and more animals are being killed everyday for frivolous reasons. There is still deforestation happening everyday. Humans are having a deep impact on the earth and not in the best way either. Most human suffering is due to other humans causing it. I love humans, I do. But we need to get our act together and stop messing up the earth. Your comment about human life being more important, is very ignorant. Thinking like that is why the world is the way it is today. Since humans think they're so important, we end up not care how we effect the things around us. Maybe once we get those self important thoughts out our head, the problems in the world my start to turn around. I am not a plant lover, animal lover, or people lover. I am LIFE lover. I love ALL life, and think ALL live equally important.

Posted 07/07/11 by Annie

I agree with David. Humans are more important. The animal activists keep on with their saving all the animals and soon animals will live in houses and people will be their slaves.

Posted 07/07/11 by hirouk

my cat is awesome! she often brings back mice and moles, even chipmonks. a month ago she started bringing back ducklings, she must have found a nest and brought back one a day! she is also great at sitting patiently under a bush by the bird feeder and catching sparrows! she is a great hunter doing what god designed her to do!!!

Posted 07/07/11 by Ellen

@Rebecca Olesen - Your comments about your tomcat made me LOL so hard. :) How funny! My siamese mix is such a drama queen too. She's such a daddy's girl that she will cuddle up to my husband and love on him so much and when I try to pet her... out come the claws! I have war wounds like you wouldn't believe! But of course I'm the one that feeds her and waters her and changes the litter. Cats are so funny.

Posted 07/07/11 by David

Lets start another Black Plague academic by kill cats. Why are animals and rodents more important to these nature lovers than helping Humans who are suffering from being homeless and no health care and being abused by political parties for their agenda's more important? Yes I love animals,but Human life is more important to tend to.

Posted 07/07/11 by Tari price

I feel that the cat problem was created by ignorant people. We're blaming an animal for a human mistake

Posted 07/07/11 by Rebecca Olesen

Man my Tomcat does nothing but literally RUN to his food bowl pass out for a little while, then back outside to hunt, fight, and ####. LMAO That's a cats life. When he comes in he expects ME to feed him, so if I'm asleep he will stop by where I sleep to roooowar louder & louder XD XD he's so funny. He hurt his leg once & I babied him sooooo much that now when he walks by my bedroom door he limps XD XD ;D hahaa even though his leg is fine now. You can watch him running perfectly, but then when he sees me, he slows down and starts limping and acting pitiful. He wants me to carry him to the food bowl, pet him while he eats - or he will stop eating & start crying, then carrying him to the bed & make a little sleeping area with a sheet & a pillow, which he will not lay down until I do. He just sits and purrs until I'm done making his bed, then goes and lays on it HAHAAA HE IS SO SPOILED !! He makes me laugh so much. ;)

Posted 07/07/11 by skye

I feel this film is somewhat unfair. In the scope of things, we are all predator or prey. How many cattle, chickens, fish, turkeys, etc. are "slain" each year for human consumption? I was amused that one of the biologists in the film said that the mouse's role was important as a prey species, yet there is disdain for the cat's efficiency in that role. Perhaps, feral cat populations are damaging bird populations, but again, this is due to humans lack of care for their pets, to abandon them and not to have them spayed or neutered. Should we seek to control the human populations for their decimating our animal species? I believe they do far more damage than do cats.

Posted 07/07/11 by NCR elite

right, a bunch of backwards savages have the solution -- moron.

Posted 07/07/11 by riotg

The reenactments are annoying. More facts, less stories please

Posted 07/06/11 by Cerealkiller1124

It does seem hard to believe that someone can share a home with a cat and not understand they are predators. Also, it could be those Aborigines have the answer to cat overpopulation in the US. Cat -- the other, other white meat.

Posted 07/06/11 by ev

In my life span of over 85 years, I have known many cats. Casper,Ramby,Kocza,Wheezer,Frisky,Gorman,and more were all indoor-outdoor cats that have lived with me. They were not spayed nor neutered. But that kind of life-style for cats is no longer possible -- yet, unfortunately, there are too many cat-owners who either don't realize this or just don't care. This ignorance is unforgivable. And abandoning pets and litters in the wilderness or along roadsides is equally unforgivable. Whenever there are problems with pets, these problems can usually be laid at their owners' doorsteps. When humans decide to educate themselves as to the proper care and training they need to own pets, hopefully the problems presented in "Secret Life of Cats" will be alleviated. I disagree with the National Geographic document's approach to this problem. They should have highlighted the unique responsibility shared by by everyone who owns and loves a pet.

Posted 07/06/11 by ev

i disagree!

Posted 07/06/11 by Shannon

yep, its humans fault cats breed so fast. I dont see why you have a problem with dogs killing cats but not cats killing birds or mice. Its nature, thats how in nature numbers are kept in check.

Posted 07/06/11 by christine

Interesting documentary. More pet owners should spay or neuter their animals.

Posted 07/06/11 by Exodus

Ignore Zod and his pointless comments. His problem is his poor internet connection as I didn't buffer once. And maybe Zod didn't notice the options for a better resolution as well as full screen? This film was great to watch. I'm a cat lover and, while I knew cat predation was a concern, I didn't fully understand it's prevalence and impact. As a documentary this film served it's purpose to both entertain and educate. Some parts of the film are hard to watch but this is a documentary. It's not meant to be all about cute fluffy kittens because in every cat is a natural born killer. I would highly recommend this documentary to my friends.

Posted 07/06/11 by Eli

Oh shoot, at the end when she said "It's 9pm, where's your cat?" It was actually close to 9pm haha.

Posted 07/06/11 by Andrea S

Interesting video, but for those who are cat lovers like myself its hard to watch. Both of my cats go outside and both of them are on a leash, while im outside working on whatever. Humans are to blame for letting their cats out and not take watching and making sure that they're not attacking all the wildlife.

Posted 07/06/11 by Zod

This was completly pointless. This movie was a waste of time to even attempt to view. The Flash interface *S*U*C*K*E*D*!*!*!* It was so slow, it was unwatchable and it took 5 minutes just to buffer the preview! More time than the preview ran! Plus, watching that video in that supid little window...what's the point? And it was too dark to see anything as well! This is an excellent example of what should be good technology done wrong! Don't bother or waste your time with this stupid video or even this site...I can't live with this kind of frustration!

Posted 07/06/11 by Jess

In miami they should capture the wild cats(neutur/spay and give them vaccinations) and open an informational cat sanctury, almost like a cat zoo. That way the cats have a place to live and it helps lower the population in the outdoors and serve a purpose to inform the public. Its win win win. The only problem would be money to open it.

Posted 07/05/11 by Linda Treshansky

It is certainly our fault as human beings that feral cats are out there. TNR programs do alleviate the problem. cat populations fall off dramatically when reproduction ceases in an area and cats in the wild have a short life span. Of course the majority of the human population struggles along in its own effort to survive and does not have the freedom or resources (or interest to help feral cats). However I believe that this is the best that we can do and that we need to strive to support these programs wherever they exist in whatever way we can. Every little bit of support helps be it a small financial contribution or donating some time. I Feel that this effort will help support our natural environment.

Posted 07/04/11 by JP

This needs to be shown on public TV. 60 Minutes etc. There is a population explosion in the U.S. alone. People need to know. The answer IS in our own backyard. There is a crisis and the answer is population control by spay and neuter. Every cat everywhere. Every person who has a cat or cats much be responsible for doing this and every person who knows of an unowned or feral cat in your neighborhood should contact a cat agency to report them and request assistance. Just killing them isn't humane and neither is just letting them roam free to proliferate and die horrible deaths by disease and torture. Every cat deserves the right to live like any other creature on earth. It's our fault and we need to take responsibility.

Posted 07/04/11 by Hillarie

So cats are predators? So what? It's what they like to do. At least they don't raise their prey on factory farms and make them live in torment for months before they finally dispatch them. Who are WE to judge? Really.

Posted 07/04/11 by rebekah huang

I can appreciate the message and would be more open to it if I wasn't beaten about the head with the message. I think this is why the progressive message isn't successful. Progressives are never content to just deliever a well thought out message- feral cats have an adverse impact on our environment and domestic cats that are allowed to roam do as well...oh no, we must hammer our point home to the extent that the receiver of said message wants to do the very thing they're against just because a film nags so. Typical bait and switch. Cute kitty in an ad with a humorous lead running soon into the nanny state pitch.

Posted 07/04/11 by dvp

I CANNOT GET THIS BLANKETY-BLANK-BLANK VIDEO TO WORK!

Posted 07/04/11 by Jim Flynn

Pure cat lovers are not likely to enjoy this documentary. This was not produced to be a love fest for cat fanciers. It is however a very nicely produced piece on what cat's actually are and how they fit into the ecosystem they find themselves a part of. Our furry little friends are scaled down versions of the "Great Cats" that are at the very top of every food chain in which they dwell. In other words, they are among the most accomplished, awesome and beautiful predators God ever created. Small in stature, our little tabby's are no less ferocious or efficient in the hunting that they do. They possess each and every instinct that a tiger or mountain lion possess. This is precisely why I am a devoted cat lover myself. I am awed by their skills and by the fact that they are miniature versions of the Great Cats I have admired so much since I was a small boy. The takeaway from this piece for me was clearly pet owners need to step up and assume the role of being a responsible pet owner. Asking man to accept responsiblilty has always been a losing proposition. Man will most always choose the path of least resistance or "lazy way" out of accepting responsibility for most things. Spaying or neutering pets is no different. We should all do it, far to few actually do. Clearly more of us need to keep our pets indoors as well. Again, this requires more responsibility on behalf of the pet owner, more frequently cleaned litter boxes, more regular feedings, more attention paid to the pet etc.... Sadly, most will opt for the easy way out and continue letting their pets outside to roam which is the easy way out for the pet owner. Irresponsibility has it's consequences. Have we not learned this lesson enough from the Great Recession? Irresponsibility on behalf of cat owners requires a heavy price be paid by local wildlife. If a number of us now realize this and modify our behavior accordingly, I'm sure the objective of the makers of this video will have been accomplished. I applaud the makers for a job well done!

Posted 07/04/11 by Peter J

What is that RUBBISH at the start about a House or something. Why should I have to watch an ad, and use my broadband allowance for that! Anyway film was not very good also, watched 3 minutes.

Posted 07/04/11 by Barry O

What an awful piece of liberal tripe! Green fanatics are such half witted fascists. Best thing they can do to help the environement is stop breathing.

Posted 07/04/11 by Diana

This is a terrible documentary and I'm sorry I watched it. Actually, I didn't watch it to the end. I made it to the point where the cat eaters had bashed a cat to death and were slicing it open for dinner that I turned it off. I was led to believe this was going to be an interesting and cute little look at what housecats do when they roam around outside - where they go, what they do, why they bring dead animals home, etc. Instead, what I saw was a disturbing look at abandoned housecats, starving feral cats, cats being hunted by humans, and wildlife clowns who are all bent out of shape about cats killing rabbits and other vermin. This documentary is hardly a tribute to cats and no cat lover will enjoy it. Don't bother.

Posted 07/03/11 by Arthur

What a biased piece of crap. The worst thing about it is that the title lures you into watching it. Cats are by their very nature predators. I have always had cats I used to let them out when I am at work but keep them inside now because of all the anti cat #######s (like the makers of this documentary) out there. Cats are independent (and that is what I like about them); They are also capable of love and demonstrated it to me everyday.

Posted 07/03/11 by Leah Cline

Humans created these problems and continue to do so. This is and anti cat film. Unfortunately, humans are irresponsibly doing the same things with dogs and any other animal they want as a pet until they tire of them.

Posted 07/02/11 by DAVID W PETERSON

Anyone who "loves their cat" the way some of you idiots whine about should be a little more sympathetic to the plight of the animals they target and destroy. Love your cat all you want to, but keep it INSIDE your home, and do NOT let it go outside. It is not cruel to the cat---cats handle it quite perfectly. Outside, however, they may be hit by a car, ripped apart by a dog, carried off by an owl, pick up and spread diseases to other cats and wildlife, or even bring them home to your family. They are pretty good survivors and highly adaptable, so while all this is going on, they are also killing NATIVE WILDLIFE---animals who actually have a much higher right to be there than this EXOTIC SPECIES. Any person who willfully allows their cats to roam free, and especially those who end up creating feral cats out of their ignorance, ought to be prosecuted for the intentional release of an exotic species. Most states have laws on the books to fine or even incarcerate perpetrators of this crime. They will fine reptile owners, they should include cat owners too---that they don't is pure hypocrisy. I love cats myself, and own one. Yet I would personally volunteer to shoot, trap, and take whatever steps necessary to help eliminate feral cat populations in my area.

Posted 07/02/11 by Maria

The more I know about people, the more I LOVE MY CATS! This is such anti cat propaganda, I hope some wild undomesticated cat bites the producer of this piece of junk in the behind giving him/her an extra dose of Cat saliva to boot. Hurray for cats and cat lovers all over the world. LOVE CATS FOREVER!!!

Posted 07/02/11 by Brett

lol, I just threw my cat out for getting in the garbage. this happens everyday lol. She kills birds all the time, what she does not, eat maggets get, then ants tear up the maggets, then I clean up the mess, ahh that silly kitty. lol

Posted 07/02/11 by Laura

Yes, humans are the ones causing destruction of species, not the cats. They are the ones who let their cats out to hunt, the ones who give them a home and vet care and feed them and let them breed; which helps them go out and kill off songbirds. So it makes sense that humans are the target audience for the video. No cats watching, to realize "Oops! In the future I'll leave birds alone and concentrate on gophers". But maybe a few humans will get the message that their furball can do damage by hunting.

Posted 07/02/11 by L.K. Garner

I won't even watch this documentary because it was put out by Goldman Sachs, the company that has raped America. No one should support this film, no matter how cute it is.

Posted 07/02/11 by Bernadette

I agree with Kay. The introduction to this film was misleading; I thought I would learn a lot of interesting facts about cats - things I didn't know. I realize they are a threat to birds, but who complains when they keep our homes and farms rodent free? It's what they are. Sorry I wasted my time watching this.

Posted 07/02/11 by T Popelka

Carol, I need to amend my last post. There are two tests for feline AIDS. One is the cheaper and faster SNAP test, and the other one is the more expensive version. FIV+ is the same thing as AIDS. There is no distinction in the test. Now, there was no hope for the cat mentioned around 18 minutes in this video? Here is how the process works, Carol, just in case you don't know. At no-kill animal shelters, cats that test positive for AIDS are segregated from other cats. They are socialized for potential adoption by shelter workers and many loving volunteers. Eventually, someone adopts the cat, or it dies at the shelter. Many FIV+ cats live long, normal lives, just as mine have. Some die more quickly. With my personal experience being around the three AIDS cats I own, and playing with some of the shelter AIDS cats [socializing them for potential adoption], I have never seen a cat die of AIDS. I have seen the worst case scenarios of Feline Leukemia, FeLV, and that is scary. I just think that since most stray cats are going to be very wild when they are first caged, a shelter somewhere in the US could've taken this cat, the one killed by the vet in this video, and after socialization activities over possibly years, this cat would've been as adoptable as my AIDS cats when I first adopted them, or any other AIDS cat sitting in the back rooms of shelters across the country. That cat could've been saved. He should've been saved, but everyone knows it was just too CONVENIENT to kill him. I am trying to do my part in helping AIDS cats-- what are you doing?

Posted 07/02/11 by Kay

Oh please. The number one destroyer of species--including prey species--in the world is not cats. ITS HUMAN BEINGS. Get over your anthropomorphic morality. What's next--should we only allow tamed owls? So they don't decimate the rodent and cute destructive bunnies populations. This isn't the the story of the secret life of cats--it's your secret dislike of them.

Posted 07/02/11 by T Popelka

Well, Carol, sounds like you are pretty high on your opinions about what Ted Sanqez did to the AIDS cat. I am sure he is a great veterinarian for your pets. My comment was not meant as a challenge to his veterinarian care for paying patients. To me, the section I mentioned, it appeared to be an in and extermination situation. Little secret- there is but one test for feline AIDS aka FIV+. As far as your silly remark about how many times have my cats slipped out...how about none. There is a trick to slipping out the door with one leg, as well as reading signals when a cat MIGHT want out. I do take one outside about once every two weeks- on what is a called a leash. It is not that hard to be a responsible owner and keep cats inside, yet entertained and healthy. Give them play time, feed them wisely, and have a heart. This notion of all AIDS cats should be put down to save other cats is a crock. How much time was spent calling NO-KILL shelters to see if that cat could get a home or a temporary shelter until someone like me or the hundreds if not thousands of people like me decided it deserved a home, after the hell it had been through? Were my cats immediately put down at the shelter because of their virus? No! They are a great shelter and have a no-kill policy. Have I had 12 wonderful years with these formerly stray cats? Yes! I think some calls should've been made trying to find AIDS cat refuges or shelters... I am sure many polite people in your community, like yourself, would gladly pay the transport fee if you knew what you were missing from their love. Don't think for a second just because a cat tests positive for FIV+ that they are pieces of trash and should be put down and taken out with the refuse. T Popelka

Posted 07/01/11 by Gonz

Come on people, if the cats are out of control in a park, as with ANY animal, cull them. It's that simple. As for taking a squirrel to the vet, get a life, they are vermin. If the squirrel chewed your house cables and caused it to burn down would you take it to the vet, I think not. Cats and dogs are domesticated pets, not children or relatives pets. Get some perspective in life. There are people who need help before pets.. As for keeping your cat in at night, cats hunt, that's what they do and will continue to do..

Posted 07/01/11 by Carol Kelly

This was a responsible film about choices(good and bad)that people make concerning a particular domesticated animal in their lives. Ted Sanchez is an extremely caring and dedicated veterinarian as well as being a great human being. When my dog developed a condition that would probably lead to his death(and ultimately did), he encouraged me to do hard work to try and save him. He also treated my cats as if they were as precious as a human child, including things such as a root canal for an 18 yr old cat.In this film he tested the feral cat to be certain it had Feline AIDS, and only then did he help the rest of the feral cats out by removing this ONE infected cat from Life. Sounds fair and humane to me.It was not adoptable by even you T Popelka! Neuter your pets that are not to be bred and get them all medical care as soon as they come into your lives; that is resposible as their human caretaker and friend. How many of your AIDS cats could slip out and infect a blockful of cats is what you must consider most, T. Popelka! Euthanasia is last resort and should be understood as such.

Posted 07/01/11 by T Popelka

The scene at 18 minutes, 42 seconds into this just pisses me off for several reasons. In the first place, just because you find an AIDS cat doesn't mean it should be euthanized. No animals or people should be euthanized. Comfort them, tend to their needs. I believe in spaying, neutering, separating when necessarry [as with terminally ill cats, like FIV + cats], but they shouldn't be killed. That really, really pisses me off. Gingevitis as a sign the aids cat should be put down? Gimming a Fing break! MY FIV+ cats have had gingevitis the entire twelve years I have owned them. It is a minor problem in my opinion-- they vomit a bit more frequently, and they have bad breath. All cats vomit from time to time, gingevitis makes it worse, but not enough to take the life of a living creature-- ending its existence. My cats were obviously the least likely ones to be adopted from the shelter, but they have given me immense joy, warmth, and plenty of laughs over the years. Separate AIDS cats, and adopt one if you can. The life you save is the one nobody wants, but let the cat be itself, and you will be rewarded with love beyond your dreams, because cats know when you have saved them. Do not euthanize AIDS cats. My FIV+ [aka AIDS cats] loveable creatures have been a blast and a reward in this sometimes painful to watch world we live in. Give them a chance at a little fun in this life before it passes them by, just as it passes us by. Incidently, I do have one more AIDS cat, and he is up for adoption. He was kicked out by his owner, left to starve to death. He is nice, loves to be petted, but does bite now and then, so you have to take a few pointers from me. Let me know if you want to give him a chane to live too. He has nearly starved to death several times, and he is not segregated in a smaller room from my other two AIDS cats. T Popelka

Posted 07/01/11 by GYDER

I'LL TAKE A WILD ANIMAL OVER EVIL HUMAN BEINGS ANYDAY!

Posted 07/01/11 by M Gyder

The leading cause of ALL DESTRUCTION IN OUR WORLD IS MAN, NOT ANY ANIMAL. OF ALL LIVING CREATURES, MAN IS THE ONLY ONE WHO KILLS FOR THE MEAR PLEASURE OF IT. MAN IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN HATE. LEAVE NATURE ALONE AND LET IT DO IT'S THING.

Posted 07/01/11 by M Gyder

I couldn't watch all of this, because it just plain pissed me off. I am a volunteer for feral cats. I believe that we shouldn't mess with nature. If the feral or "wild" cats as they call them, are endangering any wildlife, then I consider that survival of the fittest. Maybe that certain bird, or whatever wildlife is endangered by cats, were meant to be wiped off the map. IT'S CALLED SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST, and I don't think we should be messing with it. There are plenty of predators that kill feral cats. Coyotees for one, have killed numerous feral cats, it's a horrible death, they only eat the heart and liver of the cat. But you don't see me wanting to go and capture all the coyotees and kill them. IT'S NATURE, DON'T F*** WITH IT!

Posted 06/30/11 by Julie

I thought this might be a positive about cats. I was extremely mistaken. After more than a 1/2 century of providing for cats(you don't own them) mostly dropoffs and foundlings, I am extremely thankful that they have caught the rats, mice, snakes, spiders and moths that would like to inhabit my old farm house in CT. Now that DEP has reintroducted wild Turkeys and the Deer population has exploded, we have Black Bear and Mountain Lions. Yes, my cat catches mice. She's on a vole kick this week. Great. She took out a clutch of bunnys this spring, made me sad cause I tried to save-but Mom and Pop are doing great in my garden. Caught 1 sparrow - she's not really into birds, feathers make her sick. Got a chipmuck living dangerously on my patio. His/Her choice. "Way of All Flesh"

Posted 06/29/11 by Nikkala

This film has helped me make the decision that I WILL keep the injured feral cat I rescued six months ago EXCLUSIVELY IN THE HOUSE.

Posted 06/29/11 by Rick Peregoy

I have seen it with my own eyes...what my cat does when she gets out of the house. She walks around with her tail up and purrs really loud! I don't think that I am supposed to type what I usually see happen next, but it sure explains all of these kittens around my feet. Whelp? Gotta go as my wife is getting after me to fix the screen door!

Posted 06/28/11 by Jezy

This is a horribly misleading title, what a preachy waste of my time. A more appropriate title would be "Cats: Killers Unleashed." People spend money on a vet hospital that treats wounded mice and squirrels? That's hysterical. Cats are hunters and have every right to do what they are naturally inclined to do. Taking care of pesky mice is one of the reasons humans have revered them for centuries. I can't believe there are people advocating for all cats to stay indoors. Watch out dogs, you are next. Soon dogs will be forced to get exercise in a cage. Also, humans should all stay indoors and be stripped of driving privileges--look at all the roadkill! Not to mention all of the incredible damage we do to entire ecosystems! At least animals are not wasteful, they kill to eat.

Posted 06/28/11 by Daniel

I'm a little annoyed because I thought this film was about something else. I got the impression this film was about what housecats do when they are outdoors, especially since there was a project once that put a neighborhood and it's cats under surveillance to see exactly that. Instead I get a preachy film about the effect of cats when introduced into alien habitats. It's a perfectly reasonable subject, but not what the show was purported to be. So those expecting a show about what Fluffy does when the lights are out, need to look elsewhere. This ain't it.

Posted 06/27/11 by Suzy

One interesting side thing I thought. English sparrows are NOT native to America and yet they survive and take over urban and suburban areas driving out native birds by physically kicking babies out of nests or laying eggs on top of native eggs. Since most cats are in the same area, not roaming usually more than 5 miles from home, it would be interesting to know if they are helping keep English sparrow populations down. Not all song birds are native either or "harmless", and in the English sparrow case at least, they can cause just as much destruction, if not more than cats to other bird species. Also, the world is not isolated in pockets anymore. Native species are going to have to evolve with the new world order. Isn't that "natural" as well.

Posted 06/27/11 by NCR_elite

indoor cats are fine. mine is very content. get over it. cat haters need a swift punch in the face

Posted 06/27/11 by florida cat owner

Better to have them live a pampered domesticated life inside than suffer a slow painful death via rednecks, illiterates, parasites, worms, infections, etc. examples of which pervade this blog.

Posted 06/27/11 by Yamila

To BambiB You are an abomination of nature and you have no business on Secret life of Cats since you hate them....

Posted 06/26/11 by Stewar

Feral cats are a major problem but I still think it is cruel to never allow a cat outside. All these American pet experts who say it is more humane to keep a cat inside where it will never experience the open air and the outdoors are clueless. The feral cats are the real problem and they should be put down. The woman feeding those feral cats in Miami is compounding the problem. People who think they are showing how much they lover their cats by imprisoning them in a safe place are wrong. They should own stuffed animals not real ones. Also, you cat haters who get enraged by your neighborâ€™s cat having the temerity to enter your property or walk on your car need to learn that the world isnâ€™t made to measure for you. Cats have to be cats and if you canâ€™t handle the mental anguish of them occasionally crapping on your lawn then go live in a cave in the desert where nothing will bother you. â€œToxic salivaâ€? Yeah, right - if that were so how many of us should be dead now from being licked be our cats?

Posted 06/26/11 by BambiB

Let your cats wander around outside killing songbirds by the millions. It's okay. I need the target practice. Top three purposes of cats? Around a farm, keeping vermin down. Anywhere else? Target practice. On the boat? SHARK BAIT! See a cat running loose? Just kill it. You do everyone a favor.

Posted 06/25/11 by florida cat owner

Irresponsible animal owners are the problem. Keep your cats inside. They get used to it, and live longer particularly in warm climates.

Posted 06/25/11 by florida cat owner

@ Cat lover in china. You shouldn't own animals.

Posted 06/25/11 by Joe Hogbristle

Your cat secret life's is killing anything smaller that it can overpower, spraying urine over window sills and soiling flowerbeds, putting muddy footprints over freshly washed car finishes, and squalling at all hours of the night while making more ####ed cats! They are vermin as truly as rats or roaches. The mantra "shoot, shovel and shut up" comes to mind.

Posted 06/25/11 by Cat-Lover-In-China.

Hi. i watched that and as a previous owner of a Pure breed Siberian cat, I feel that desexing a cat is the only way to go to keep the numbers down. Cat's have an incredibly high sexual activity range, starting from as low as 6 months (female kittens) to many years. I loved my cat, but 1 cat, he was bored and lonely, so I got him another friend.(I should have had her neutered.) that lead to us having 8 kittens, which lead to another 24 and in total we had over 50 cats in less than 7 months. As it was a pure breed and expensive, he was not neutered (marketability) but the she was a regular street kitten. A mistake that I regret. All the kittens were put down and the She that I got to keep him company was put to sleep too. Sold him off to a breeder. These were house cats, that had all the injections and vet trips, but if I could go back to that day. I would have had the female snipped. I love cats very deeply, and in a country where we eat dogs, I myself do love eating dog meat, know that I could not eat a cat. And I also know that I will not own another cat again. I love cats from a distance.Raising another house cat is too much punishment. the garden walk-around cage was beautiful and a wonderful idea. But in China only the rich can afford huge gardens for their pets. So getting something like that is out of the question.

Posted 06/25/11 by Realist

What is your cat doing outside your home? Destroying your neighbors cars, using your neighbors yards as a cat box stinking up the places. Driving your neighbors crazy. Keep your f-*#ing cats INSIDE YOUR HOME!!!!!

Posted 06/25/11 by Tom

Why does the video keep repeating?

Posted 06/24/11 by Laura

Mary, You seem to be rationalizing leaving your cats out to hunt, with talk about amino acid deficiencies and raw meat. But, the cause of cardiomyopathy in cats is unknown. It's quite common among older cats. Maybe it's just a consequence of keeping a cat alive longer than it would live in the wild. Your cat would be killing endangered songbirds along with the rodents. Taurine deficiency can cause cardiomyopathy. But catfood is mostly supplemented with taurine now. You can buy taurine/carnitine supplements, or make your own catfood, which is pretty easy. I'm sure there are recipes all over the net. Feeding cats farmed meat has environmental and ethical problems too. Raising cows causes a lot of global warming, and farm animals are treated horribly. But feeding a cat on the local wildlife is exactly what this film was aimed at getting you NOT to do. You're letting your cat further endanger already-endangered birds. And raw food may actually be dangerous to them. Cats in the wild wouldn't live as long as pet cats. It's not somehow an "ideal" life for them, to be out eating wild animals. Letting them roam probably shortens their life.

Posted 06/24/11 by Marty

to Kroc: Cats weren't the only species introduced to Australia, New Zealand etc. I've read the rabbits brought from England have been by far the most destuctive to their ecology. And just by bringing Europeans/English people to those countries, same as in N./S. America, things change & change forever, whether for better or worse. The Western American Indians didn't have HORSES until the Spanish Conquistators left some of theirs behind, yet we can't visualize Apaches, Commanches etc without their horses, but its a relatively new change for them. The family in England saving the dead prey their cat, Missy, brought to them were participating in the study of how many & what kind of prey domestic cats kill. Why NG concentrated on CATS as affecting ecology/environment makes no sense. Our Western lifestyle is the biggest factor in those changes; and other animals introduced by chance or on purpose have done far more damage, witness the problem in the Everglades with large snakes, like Boa Constrictors, released there when their "owners" tire of them....the poisonous Cuban frogs which somehow ended up in S.Fl in my childhoood & could poison a dog which bit one; city pigeons; there are a huge number of examples in every country & not just Australia, NZ. Coyotes have coped very well since wolves have essentially disappeared & are spreading all over the U.S., changing natural habitats....Point being, don't just blame or demonize the cat!!!

Posted 06/24/11 by Ron

Cats are part of the ecology of the earth and help control rodents which carry serious diseases (bubonic plague for one)....and they often kill the weakest, sickest members of a population whether squirrels or birds, etc., as nature intended. MANKIND is spreading concrete over everything & making it impossible for ANY wildlife to survive naturally. The deer are over populated due to our destruction of all their natural preditors, leaving many deer to die of starvation in the winter. An example of ecology out of control is the spread of Lyme disease by deer fleas.... The feral (wild) cat colonies were so poorly explained in the film. The studies have shown that if someone comes in & traps & destroys these colonies, more feral cats simply move in. The BEST answer is trapping them, neutering them, giving them vaccinations, & then re-releasing them to the colony. The clipping of the ears is so the volunteers know at a glance which cats have already been trapped & treated. The C.O. of the local base near us also had the feral cats rounded up & destroyed despite pleas from organizations who knew what would happen...& as mentioned by another commenter, the rat, mice, racoon, possum, etc populations exploded & other feral cats & abandoned cats moved back in. The racoons here in Florida btw, are carriers of rabies... so which would you rather have in your neighborhood??? Ancient Egypt which was passed over so briefly, is where cats are believed to have been domesticated & NOT worshipped as gods (though there were cat goddesses) but rather considered sacred..when Rome conquered Egypt, the Romans spread cats all over the their Empire which was most of the Western world & parts of Asia. There role in destroying vermin was immediately appreciated by any people dependent upon grain supplies to avoid famine. This was hugely important in history. See the much better film "Cats 101" if you can, though again the cat owners/lovers are mostly presented as nut cases...why? Dog owners aren't....(btw I have both). Most cats (& dogs) dumped in the woods DO NOT do well; they needed to be taught to hunt by their mothers when young; and they often die a terrible death from starvation, preditors, humans who hate & believe cats are fair game for persecution. Abandoned dogs will form packs that can become dangerous to local wildlife/livestock but the film didn't mention that.

Posted 06/24/11 by Marie

I also felt the film was biased against cats, and the history of cats with humans was SO badly explained. They kept down the vermin population (mainly mice and rats) which is why the ancient Egyptians first domesticated them and made them sacred...this was hugely important in a grain based economy and a time without pestacides etc to control vermin. In the Middle Ages, there was a sort of carry-over that linked cats with pagan history (Egypt etc)and often caused not just a few but sometimes hundreds and hundreds of cats to be burned alive as "evil"....in fact some experts feel the decrease in the CAT population in Europe in the Middle Ages was partly what led to the spread of the Bubonic Plague, the "Black Death" which killed as many as 1/3 of the population of Europe and England. The film also made it seem that only in the ?early 20th century did people keep cats as pets indoors---remember the farm children finding kittens? Thats ridiculous, cats were pets in various places for centuries. The Moslems, who despise most dogs as "unclean" have a high regard for cats, again, probably due to their role in killing vermin. Back to the bird problem: I live in Florida wherer approximatley 1000 new people move in PER DAY. The ecology is suffering terribly as you would imagine. I've seen HUGE amounts of wooded acreage simply bulldozed---not a tree left standing---to build yet another subdivision or strip mall. Which do you think does more to destroy bird nests and habitats of wild creatures? And, in very upscale Naples, Fl, the use of pesticides (so that people there don't have to deal with mosquitoes or other bugs) has essentially wiped out most birds, or sent them elsewhere. Friends who live there say you seldom see/hear a song bird there. I think THESE are the most destructive forces in ruining the balanced ecology of small mammals, birds, larger mammals etc than anything cats could ever do. My current cats are indoor only due to the risks of cars and of the dangers of cat haters who will trap or poison them. Indoor/outdoor cats I've owned often brought "gifts" to the front door but 99% were rats or mice. The only birds I recall were likely old/sick anyway....birds are very hard to catch. Also, the cats who are expert hunters are taught by their mothers and most of our pet cats never experience that. Lastly, the dumping of cats/kittens/ dogs/puppies still goes on, unlike what the film implied as I'm told by relatives in rural areas.

Posted 06/24/11 by Ulla

I found this film informative and not at all bias. I hope people will not use this as fuel to hate cats. Cats are remarkable creatures and I love cats - domesticated cats, wild cats, big cats - I live with a cat. During my life I lived with a number of cats - one of which was a hybrid of domestic and wild. He loved flowers and perfume and was 30 pounds of lean muscle. This cat was huge, but he was a gentle and lovely cat. My latest cat a Maine Coon was aggressive and I was bit and scratched many times, but adored her anyway for 12 years until she died naturally (she was an indoor only cat). Our present cat was feral but turned out to be wonderful and very friendly. He hunts flies and mosquito's. I love him dearly. I repeat - Cats are remarkable creatures - they deserve our love and respect. However, I agree - they should be neutered to keep population down. Every animal has a purpose therefore some species should not be singled out as "killers" - they are just what they are and do what they were born to do - domesticated or wild doesn't matter. Any human who tortures and abandons animals (cats or other animals) is a coward and should be in jail.

Posted 06/24/11 by Phyllis

I read all the responses to this film and decided not to spend my time on it. Of the 78 comments, only four were positive that it was a useful film, most dislike its bias. Here is a short quote that sums up the sentiments of the anti-cat film: "This was very sad to watch and I couldnâ€™t even finish it! All I can say is SHAME on NG for putting this out to fuel the fire of all the cat haters out there and trust me there is nothing like the cat haters to be cruel and heartless."

Posted 03/07/11 by sick of Florida

I started out really excited to watch this film. Then it became all to clear it was a cats are bad propaganda film. In 2010, 6,000 cats in Fort Meyer's Florida were put to sleep because people simply did not want the cat any more. Cats in Florida are treated like expendable live stock. People drop them off in desolated areas, dangerous with birds of prey and reptiles that kill cats. Many roam the streets with mange, fleas, ticks and injuries that are festering. They get hit by cars, often like they just can't take it any more and run in front of them to bring an end to their pain. Most of these cats started out as house cats and got kicked out because of the economy, people losing their homes and they move away from their animals, leaving them behind frightened and confused. This is America's problem. We need to step up to it and spay and neuter cats. We need to love and respect them because how society responds to the smallest of concerns is how we respond to our future generations of humanity. This is a sickening thing in Florida that they do and just don't care about doing it. Animal abuse is rampant here. It is interesting that I am writing this because as I write this it comes to mind that 3 police officers have been killed in Florida since January. How can people who allow human beings to shoot at one another and the killings and child abuse of Florida be expected to care about cats. They don't care about human life. I don't know if people are experiencing this other places in the USA. But here it is the status quo, drugs, murder, child abuse, animal abuse.... we need help as a nation to put life of all kinds back on the top of the list of priorities.

Posted 03/06/11 by Mary

The first year that we had 5 fully grown cats, they took out over 85 moles. Our neighbors were grateful, because they were tired of mole tunnels turning into mole holes in their yards in which they had foot and ankle injuries. They preferred that the local snake population stay hunting in the woods for mice and not around the exteriors of houses where children play. Our squirrel population has decreased somewhat, leaving more seed for the birds, and less planting of acorns growing into trees in unwanted lawns. It also means few squirrels climbing trees near houses and wreaking havoc in attics. Now if we just haad a predator to reduce the neighborhood deer population that is tearing up yards. The cats like to stare at them from a distance with the "we wish we could take them out" look in their eyes.

Posted 03/06/11 by Mary

I recently found out that domestic cats that are fed dry and canned cat food can still suffer from amino acid deficiencies. Those deficiencies could be one reason why cats hunt. They get the nutrition that they really need from raw meat. Almost every cat that we've had has suffered from cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart). Cardiomyopathy can be caused by L-carnitine amino acid deficiency. Since recent our oldest cat has started suffering also from cardiomyopathy, I have started to reduce the amount of commercial cat food I give them, so that when they do catch something wild, they will eat it and get the nutritional benefits from it. Our vet has noticed a very high number of cats who have developed thyroid problems. I also believe that thyroid and kidney problems that plague many cats are related to processed cat food. You can give cats raw chicken to help them get the nutritional benefits that cat food does not provide, but I think that it is bettter if they eat the leaner wild meat that their body craves. Our rule is now, if you catch it, then you have to eat it. Our vet also told us that giving dry cat food is like feeding humans potato chips. Dry cat food is has a lot of starch in it.

Posted 03/06/11 by Ryana

I don't really see this as an anti cat film I think its imformative. this is whaa happens when people let their cats out . Keep your cats in doors it saves wild life and it prevents them from being harmed DUHHHHH and I do blam humans for this nothimg is more irrtating then a stupid human who doesnt spay or neutor their cat then they panic and dump them. its very sad

Posted 03/06/11 by NP

Ah,Sara, you must have contempt for yourself since you demonize the human species. Let's charge animals with animal cruelty since they all eat each other....

Posted 03/05/11 by sara

Don't be sucked in by the clever, *awww* beginning. This is an anti-feline film. Nature has provided a very equally balanced system of life until mankind gets involved. And as much as I applaud LOUDLY those who protect and respect all of nature's inhabitants...I can only hold in contempt those who willfully demonize one species. The worst predator on this earth is human. And they supposedly have the smarts to *know better*

Posted 03/05/11 by Sarah

The beginning of the movie is a nice depiction of how cats live and came into existence with mankind, however the remainder of the movie is a fall-out painting cats as the ultimate preditor and the only reason for the extinction of species in certain native countries. A more thorough and in-depth investigation should be conducted before any further assupmtions are made regarding the extinction of species - which is not entirely and solely based on cats as the movie presents. I am an avid cat lover - and have 4 house cats. I do applaud the individuals who are trying their best to stop feral cat colonies from breeding and their dire attempt to end the spread of feline AIDS and deline leukemia. For the ding-bat putting up fences to erraticate cats as a whole he should be charged with animal cruelty. His efforts are not to be applauded. Cats are on this Earth for a valid reason, not to be hunted and preyed upon by human beings. I rest my case!

Posted 03/05/11 by Jane

I love the comment from Grandma Gayle. My grandmother lived on a farm and had a dog that brought her dead animals. I read about wolves bringing food home to the older wolves to eat. They would even eat and regurgitate it for the elderly ones. They're bringing you food to take care of you. Cats, I love them. I have three.

Posted 03/05/11 by J Lyle

Really hard to watch but, very important. I learned a lot. Thank you.

Posted 03/05/11 by Angie

Dont like this video on cats. Its starts out sweet and then it bashes cats through the rest of the video.

Posted 03/05/11 by Anita Greene

It won't go away! I can't see what they're talking about, but I can't get them to shut up. The soundtrack just keeps unwinding. Looks like my computer is the one that got snagged.

Posted 03/05/11 by rick

On Coast Guard Island, in Oakland, CA. the new commander of the base wanted all the cats in the area off of the base. They were rounded up, and removed. The result: rat population on the Island has exploded. Now they are trying to figure out how to keep the rats out of the Navy warehouses and kitchens.

Posted 03/05/11 by mean ol' white guy

' looks like a (mostly) anti-cat movie that reminds me of some anti-white male (human) "documentary" offerings out there. As to this white male (who is supposedly destroying the world geometrically more than cats), I don't dump cats, I pick up cats. I get them neutered. I usually only keep females here. I put them out during the day and bring them in at dusk. I achieve this by not putting any food outside for them, and - yes, around dusk - they are pretty interested in coming in to eat. Again, I mostly keep females, because I just can't have males spraying in the house. They tend to venture only a few hundred feet from the house, and get rid of moles, rats, mice and other pests (including bluebirds, that destroy my house) that are too close to the house...precisely what I want them to do.

Posted 03/05/11 by ATERRY

BORING AS HELL...SOME BECRAZED CAT LOVER WHO WANTS HER OWN PROMO..I LOVE CATS..WE ALL LOVE CATS...BUT OWNERS WHO PUSH THEIR PETS TOO MUCH ON OTHERS MUST HAVE ABORING LIFE ...NOT A NEWS WORTHY EFFECT

Posted 03/05/11 by Jake

Why dont you make a video saving flies from frogs? Or fish from bigger fish? Or cats from dogs? Or bunnies from hawks? Its a cattt! You're sayin cat's are "killers", i bet every person in that video eats meat. LET PREDATORS BE PREDATORS AND PREY BE PREY! ITS HOW THE FOOD CHAIN WORKS, CATS HELP KEEP BIRD AND RODENT POPULATIONS DOWN! THIS VIDEO IS HIGHLY BIAS!!!!

Posted 03/05/11 by Grandma Gayle

The film is a bit dated, but cats are timeless. I wish my cat would eat her catch. Instead, she brings in live pocket gophers and, on one occassion, a small snake. She delivers them as presents. Gross

Posted 03/05/11 by Sue

I wish I could see the film. Its not here. But I know what my cat does when I'm not around! He opens cupboard doors, my end table and coffee table doors and my vanity doors. When my puppy was small the cat would open the bi-fold closet door and allow the puppy to get into a lot of things in the sloset. The puppy especially liked the knitting yarn in a bag. I came home to several colors of yarn from one end of the house to the other and the cat sitting on my desk watching the dog. I could just imagine what he was thinking, "you are in big trouble dog, hahaha!" I had two cats, bot rescued, and this one would open the doors while the other one sat there watching. They never went into the cupboards, just look and walk away. The other cat would also try to open doors, but just couldn't get the hang of it. These are my first cats, and I loved them dearly. The one has since passed, but the other still is a lover. I love to lay on the couch and have the cat come lay on my stomach and purr. He is a great friend and much less care than a dog.

Posted 03/05/11 by Timothy

I liked the film, it is not anti-cat, it seems to me that it more about responsible pet ownership. Though I wouldn't let a cat be at the table to eat.

Posted 02/18/11 by M. Harding

This is a rather dated 1998 National Geographic documentary. Its main message seems to be â€œcats are predatorsâ€ which I guess comes as news to people who may not also know that water is wet. It comes very close to being anti-cat propaganda when it asserts the role of cats in the dwindling numbers of indigenous prey animals in certain locations. They do play a role but so does the encroachment of humans which results in the loss of habitat and now, climate change which was not widely discussed in 1998. Cats are indeed predators and when they are introduced into new areas (or dumped there by humans), they will act according to their nature. This is not their fault and they do not deserve to be slaughtered for that. Cats are far more sinned against than sinning.

Posted 02/16/11 by Adam

I don't know how much of this footage was stock or new, but there was some amazing camera work going on here!

Posted 10/25/10 by Jeffrey

@Bastet, I was laughing while reading your comments because you are funny and SO right! You told the truth with humor. It's good cats everywhere have you on their side. :-) :)

Posted 10/22/10 by Bastet

@Isis "Youâ€™re an idiot. No, actually youâ€™re more than an idiot - you are a total moron. What part of Australiaâ€™s and New Zealandâ€™s fauna did not evolve with cats do you not understand?" I understood it perfectly well, hence my comment that since white people are not native to Australia or New Zealand they should be removed by the same logic. Afterall, humans have had much greater of an environmental impact on fauna in the two countries than cats. They spent around ten minutes on a "singing" dog, a large fraction of time they could have been talking about cats, in a documentary about cats. So why not talk about feral dogs too, then? Because this is an anti-cat propaganda piece, not a true documentary meant to teach us more about the evolution of the house cat, that's why. I don't think you realize that it's not just cats that have been changing the "local wildlife." The most impact has been made by humans and below us are the animals that we've bred, including unwanted dogs that have gone feral. This film is unjustly singling out cats much as how they were treated when people thick in the head still believed in witches. You may not like it, but life feeding on life is the natural process of things. Feral cats in Australia have now been there for centuries and have every right to live as you and I. The ecosystem has already changed and hunting them down like savages will do nothing to change that. "Seems to me, since the cats have decimated the natural food source for the aborigines, then it seems only fair that the cats now fill that slot. People need to eat, no? And animal protein is animal protein after all, right?" Meat from predatorial animals is far less nourishing than meat from a herbivore so no, animal protein is not animal protein. By the looks of the hunters in the film, they don't look starved at all. If anything, they should consider a nice salad. Just wondering, do you eat your pets or wild neighborhood dogs? I mean...afterall, you say animal protein is animal protein, right? Why waste money on ground-chuck when you could have a puppy burger? Your genocidal views regarding wild cats are also why large cats are going extinct, because of people like you. Just sayin' I'm more than capable of getting my point across without name-calling. You lose, you get -nothing-, Good day sir!

Posted 10/16/10 by Isis

@Bastet...You're an idiot. No, actually you're more than an idiot - you are a total moron. What part of Australia's and New Zealand's fauna did not evolve with cats do you not understand? This places them at a distinct and devastating disadvantage when it comes to car predation. And the feral cat(s) only eating the heads of the baby birds on that New Zealand beach. What about that? Why should they talk about feral dogs - the program is about cats, you twit. People need to keep their cats indoors - period. And stop dumping them out in the world. It's cruel to the cat and a disaster for the local wild life. What's so hard to understand. Yes, cats are designed (beautifully so) to be extremely efficient and deadly killers, which is why owners need to keep them indoors. Seems to me, since the cats have decimated the natural food source for the aborigines, then it seems only fair that the cats now fill that slot. People need to eat, no? And animal protein is animal protein after all, right? The feral cats that are decimating the local wild life in any and all areas should be destroyed. Period.

Posted 10/03/10 by Bastet

Cat lovers, pass on this! This film is nothing more than ill-informed anti-cat propaganda. I came hoping to watch a documentary about the modern house cats evolution from large cats and instead was spoon-fed an hour of,"OMG CATS ARE SO BAD, THEY DO WHAT NATURE INTENDED THEM TO DO!!!" The film off plays its anti-cat sentiment with fluffy "OMG CUTE LITTLE WHITE KIDS WITH KITTENS!" segments but before long you will be watching your favorite animal being gutted and eaten by obese desert savages then worn as a hat by some whack-job. Also... since these nutjobs are SO obsessed with Australia's natural heritage and native species... shouldn't THEY f' right off and go back to England? After all, white people aren't native to Australia OR New Zealand and I'm ####ed sure they've had more of an impact on natural populations and aboriginal tribes than house cats. Seriously, this films sensationalism is gob-smacking. There is also no mention of feral dogs, who not only hunt and kill as cats do but also pose a serious risk to humans. I'm also astounded by the thickness of so called scientists who are anti-cat simply because their prey are "meant for natural predators." Really? The WHOLE reason why you cry over every little mouse death is because it was food MEANT for a hawk? FFS... Cats are natural predators TOO. The 5-10 minutes allotted to the crazy cat lady and her piano playing dog are telling of the film-maker's desired message. 1. Cats are evil and must be destroyed, eaten, and/or made into hats. 2. Cat owners are bat-#### crazy. (Seriously there was not one normal cat owner featured, they were all Tom Cruise crazy.) 3. And Dogs well... Dogs play piano, but they are no Beethoven!

Posted 07/09/10 by Me

I concur with Skip. This video is a perfect example of human stupidity - they carelessly introduce a new species, then all of a sudden all the native species go the way of the Dodo. Then, of course, all the blame is placed on the introduced species, not those who actually perpetrated the whole thing and brought the species to the area. The solution to the problem? Why, lets kill them all off (stroke of utter brillance! Sad to see people can create such elaborate methods of killing, but can't solve the problem without killing)! It is a terrible pity. And those people whining about the deaths of mice? When Europe thought cats were related to witches (and killed them), diseases spread by mice ravaged the continent. Yes, I would love a colony of dirty rodents in my basement.

Posted 05/28/10 by Mark

I am a lifelong cat lover and have a 14 year old Siamese who has never been outside and is perfectly healthy and happy and loving. Neighbors with outside cats are constantly running them to emergency care for cat fights and raccoon fights, or having to rescue them from roofs, or never having them return because they were killed by a car, an evil neighbor kid, or some other danger. I didn't have to get my cat vaccinated for feline leukemia nor rabies, nor do I need worry that my neighbor is being bothered by my cat trespassing in their yard. My cat will never need flea protection and is much cleaner than an indoor/outdoor cat. If you really care about your cat, don't let it outside. You both will be happier.

Posted 05/12/10 by Tyler

Catmom: you are naive - domestic cats are not properly suited for outdoor life. Those that do live outside, or are strays typically only survive by scavanging from human leftovers. Here in southern Arizona domestic cats who wander outside often become the meal of coyotes.

Posted 04/17/10 by Gar

The austrailian guy who was shooting the cats had it right. It's just the bleeding hearts like the crazy cat ladies know the problem but they don't have a solution so they just prolong it and make it worse by making more cats when they need to thin the population if its such a huge problem to make a pointless documentary about it.

Posted 04/11/10 by Catmom

What's with the "keep you cats indoors" nonsense. In England, they have the sense to realize that it is cruel to confine cats and totally in variance with their nature. If you want a cage animal, then get yourself a hamster, don't inflict your need to control something on a poor cat. In the UK, they soon realized that the "keep your cat indoors" campaign came from groups that were basically anti-cat and just wanted to see them removed from society. Sadly, North Americans were too stupid to see this. Yes, they hunt. And yes, they probably should be removed from areas where they are threatening endangered wildlife. But it's a shame that NG should have provided the cat haters with so much ammunition.

Posted 04/06/10 by Patricia A Peltier

This comes as no surprise or shock to me. Here where I live, there are squirrels--but no rabbits anymore. Too many cats on the hunt. The cat that I have was an answer to prayer. I had problems with mice in my home because of their filth. I prayed and cried to God for help--and she appeared on my step, meowing for help because she was a thin old cat. We needed each other. That was over two years ago. You wouldn't guess her age by her appearance! I watched Animal Planet's The Most Extreme and I was shocked to learn that the familiar cat is THE MOST EXTREME hunter. More extreme than lions, tigers, and other wildcats. I can understand the necessity of eliminating feral cats in areas where there are species of animals, endangered by the cat.

Posted 04/05/10 by Skip

I see the cat as I do any of natures creatures. They all have a right to exist to the extent of their ability to survive. The fact that it is a successful hunter has only helped to insure its survival even in the face of humans trying to exterminate it. Could you imagine a world without cats? How about rodent infestations everywhere, plague and other diseases spread by rodents and birds. Rabbits destroying crops, birds eating your seed corn or the seed of other important crops. We have become a society of wimps and have forgotten where we came from. Give me a choice between a cat and a mouse and I'd rather tolerate the cat than a disease ridden, destructive rodent anytime. I have a feeling that cats will be here long after humans have gone the way of the dodo bird because they instinctively understand the natural way of the world and use it to their advantage. When my cat brings me a prize such as a dead mouse or other vermin, I praise her and am grateful she is my pal and fellow hunter.

Posted 04/05/10 by Skip

I see the cat as I do any of natures creatures. They all have a right to exist to the extent of their ability to survive. The fact that it is a successful hunter has only helped to insure its survival even in the face of humans trying to exterminate it. Could you imagine a world without cats? How about rodent infestations everywhere, plague and other diseases spread by rodents and birds. Rabbits destroying crops, birds eating your seed corn or the seed of other important crops. We have become a society of wimps and have forgotten where we came from. Give me a choice between a cat and a mouse and I'd rather tolerate the cat than a disease ridden, destructive rodent anytime. I have a feeling that cats will be here long after humans have gone the way of the dodo bird because they instinctively understand the natural way of the world and use it to their advantage. When my cat brings me a prize such as a dead mouse or other vermin, I praise her and am grateful she is my pal and fellow hunter.

Posted 04/01/10 by tnycatgirl

It just goes to show, leave it to the human race to mess up nature's delicate balance..

Posted 03/29/10 by Kroc

It started out boring and uninformative but it became interesting towards the last 20 minutes. I didn't know how toxic cat saliva was. Also didn't know about how cats had changed the eco-system in Australia. I agree the narration was not the best. I was hoping to get better insight on how domestic cats evolved from their larger ancestors and cousins. I think alot is being made of cats natural habits. It's the cycle of life no matter how ugly it is. I think it's up to the cat owner to allow or not, their cats to be able to venture outside. But they should definitely be forced to spay or neuter their cats if they don't plan on breeding them intentionally. There also needs to be some kind of tracking for every cat born so if they run away or are dumped somewhere, the authorities can trace them back to their owners to be returned or fined. Missy in the UK was quite a prolific hunter but it was kind of gross of her owners to keep all of her kills in the fridge. They could have just read off a list. Womsley the Aussie Cat hater was a bit much with that silly unfortunate hat. I understand their concerns for keeping the foreign wildlife out to preserve their own but I had a hard time taking him seriously with that hat. Diddles' owner had a great idea, with the fenced cat path allowing Diddles to venture outside and still keep the wildlife safe.

Posted 03/29/10 by Gabrielle

The narration is terrible: over-dramatic and full of cliches. The film is not a documentary by any stretch of the imagination. Pluse, the film doesn't deliver on its title. There's even a short section on a dog who plays the piano -- what's that got to do with cats? I can't believe National Geographic would want to touch this with a 10-foot pole.

Posted 03/29/10 by Catrescuer

This was very sad to watch and I couldn't even finish it! All I can say is SHAME on NG for putting this out to fuel the fire of all the cat haters out there and trust me there is nothing like the cat haters to be cruel and heartless. If we as humans had not disturbed the natural order of things all would have been well hard but well for wildlife and cat over population is just part of the problem we have caused and the only true humane way of dealing with it is to maintain stable colonies of altered ferals till the problem starts to get under control but as long as there are ignorant people out there who will lay all the blame of species extinction on domestic cats I fear there may not be any hope. On the one hand I know indoor only cats are safer and healthier but for some it can be tantamount to living a life in solitary confinement and that is not fair either but yards can be cat fenced to ensure that cats don't roam and mingle with strays that are not healthy or cared for or for some even a run set off a window will suffice. I have cared for 20+ cats at any given time over the last 6 years of doing rescue and they all have taught me a lot out of 21 right now I have 4 that show a prey drive and three of these live in the cat fenced yard and garage (that is set up for them) due to litterbox issues and such they are not allowed out at night. They do catch the odd mouse or squirrel or bird that comes down on the ground and I hate it but I don't believe the number of cats that would kill just for fun is as high as this doc suggest and I know for a fact that planes, shiny buildings, us encroaching on habitats and pesticides are to blame for the decline of most of the species that are becoming extinct. In fact if my numbers show anything it is that the majority of domesticated felines are not all that interested in hunting or killing in fact one of the funny stories I tell adopters is of my two cats that ran away from the two mice that had invaded my vacuum cleaner bag. So 3 out of 21 are hunters and only do that rarely that average tells me that cats are not the huge threat this doc makes them out to be no in fact it only tells me that the people how made it and NG are biased against cats. How did they prove that all those dead critters were actually killed by cats? They couldn't have unless they took each dead animal out of a cats mouth or saw it killed! Dogs kill also so do many wild animals they can't know it is always the cat.

Posted 03/28/10 by Suzanne

Posted 05/29/09 by Anonymous Cats should never be outdoors and let into harms way my ###. Why do you think we still HAVE cats? Ooohh, let me guess, was it because the cavemen never let there precious pet kitties out to play with the t-rex? Doubt it. We have cats because cats have and continue to will withstand the test of time (except maybe the large breeds, which are dying out because of humans). Itâ€™s called instinct, my friends. And unless you live in the city, by all means - LET YOUR CAT OUTSIDE! Or donâ€™t get one at all. Donâ€™t keep them in cages, they need space. Cats sure as hell didnâ€™t originally live in houses and they can sure as hell continue to live outside of them. So yes, that even means little Fluffy or Tinkerbell over there. Oh, but let me guess? Youâ€™ve declawed them and thus taken away one of their natural means of protection, because you didnâ€™t want your precious furniture all scratched up. And I think people who neuter their cats should go in and get themselves neutered. @@@@@@@Anonymous, I would hope you're being facetious and that you actually do know that the T-rex were extinct long before "cavemen" and "their precious pet kitties" came along. So, you think it's cool not to neuter your cats and to let them run loose outside to follow their instincts and breed? This attitude is exactly the problem this program addresses--it's not the fault of the cats, but irresponsible humans such as yourself. Perhaps such people shouldn't breed, either.

Posted 03/28/10 by Kelly

Tony, nice try to get women/other people to fire back at you. Funny how your spelling and grammar is atrocious; gee what does that say about you? What goes around comes around...don't turn your back on your cat(s) or women.

Posted 03/27/10 by Tony

Cats are better pets than women. Except at bed time. Women and cats have alot in common. When there bad you back hand them and there both to stupid to learn.

Posted 03/27/10 by Jeanne

Of course I know where MY kitty is...or should I say kitties, I've got two. They're lounging INSIDE my home. I wouldn't dream of letting them outside without my supervision. The real terror is from humans.

Posted 03/27/10 by Skittersmom

What's with those people in England? They complain that their cats are killing birds and wildlife but let their cats out? Keep your cats indoors for goodness sake! I have 3 cats and volunteer for an animal shelter. As most animal shelters will tell you...keep your pets indoors!

Posted 03/27/10 by Anne

What an UNscientic biased film. As for those who beleive it's too expensive to catch spay and neuter, there are many free places that will help you catch feral cats w/ safe traps, you bring them in they spay/ neuter for free, give rabis shots and it is then set free. If everyone got involved in doing this the number of cats just doing what mother nature equipped them to do--survive-- by hunting, would decrease. There are also programs to help the financially disadvantaged get free or low cost spay/neutering for their own cats. As for overweight indoor cats--thats poor ownership problem and lack of education. Cats need YOU to play w/ them and get them moving, play hunting games-bored loney cats will either stop eatig or overeat. Some cats will over eat when food is always available others will not, it's up to the human caretaker to do the right thing. I am sad the this film is contributing to misinformation and contributing to poor education. Education in America is behind other countries and to have a so called respectable science film add to it is terrifying.

Posted 03/27/10 by elba navarro

I loved the film. We have to spayed our pets to avoid the over population. Cats are wonderful pets, they give you love but they keep their own personality, which is why I love them. I have a white female cat that I adopted in 12/20/09. She was already declawed when I adopt her so I dont let her go outside. She was abandoned in a busy street and I can understand why. I learned from the film new things that I did not know about cats. Thank you!

Posted 03/27/10 by MA

Great documentary - having rescued cats who were dumped or abandoned in our park, and helped find homes for others, we know the cruelty of people. We keep our cats, as much as possible, inside, on the porch, or the screened in deck. I agree that responsible cat owners need to know their little darlings are born killers. We use a water spray bottle to dicourage them from going outside. It is an inexpensive and effective way to deter them from leaving home. Have plenty of toys and food, and keep them safely inside!

Posted 03/27/10 by Ya Kat

Well yeehaa....See Me An My Cat "BoB"...We will Slice you up Chew you up like a Rat...An spit you out in the gutter where you belong....Just sayin'....

Posted 03/27/10 by yeehaa

The only good house cat is a dead one

Posted 03/15/10 by Nancy L

I agree when Mathew says cats are experts of rodents not birds.It's true they like to catch rats.I can see from this film humans really love to put the blame on the innocents rather than look in the mirror. Thank you Mathew and others who support TNR.My teenage daughter and I actively help with TNR where we live.It's funny Alleycat.org was mentioned.They were instrumental in teaching us about TNR through their website.The best way to help feral cats is to spay and neuter them and have a cregiver watch over them when they return home.I just really want to say this film was so one sided.What a shame.

Posted 03/14/10 by Fes

My cat killed 21 RATS a week during the summer but never killed anything else. As I live in town I can only say thank goddness something was killing them. Do you know how quickly rats breed and spread. They also urinate all the time they are moving.

Posted 03/12/10 by Mathew

The real threat to wildlife is humans destroying the habitats of wildlife, pesticides, chemicals...and the list goes on and on. I wouldn't be surprised if the ones who lobby Congress to spread lies and exaggerations about cats in general paid to put this film together. I'm not saying cats never catch a bird but to put the blame on cats instead on the real destroyers-HUMANS-is outrageous. Cats are rodent specialists NOT bird specialists and play an important part in the ecosystem. Bottom line:everyone needs to spay and neuter their kitties and keep kitty indoors with supervised play outside for the reason that people are down right cruel.Cruel people are the real destroyers of wildlife and anything else that crosses their path. As for the community feral and stray kitties please support Trap Neuter Return(TNR)in your community. This is the only proven way to help community feral and stray cats. It will help tremendously bring down the number of cats who are the victims of lack of spaying and neutering. Do a search on Alley Cat Allies to understand the best way to help community feral and stray cats through TNR.

Posted 03/07/10 by Moti kadosh

Hi, its typical to human to blame the cats of every thing, did we stop hunting? did we stop killing animals for our amusement? did we stop making testing on animals? did we stop eating animals? why want we try change this first, then TNR for cats and closing them should be the answer. -Moti

Posted 02/04/10 by bobby

this video is clearly anti domestic cat, as ridiculous as that sounds its true, to the point of disgust. Why blame these furry little friends of ours? Why not blame the idiots who do not get them fixed? I am literally appalled at this disgusting anti feline video. Someone paid for it to be made and whoever is in it I hope you don't think you are doing animals any good. ####### disgusting.

Posted 01/28/10 by KH

Very biased. I wonder if they will produce and equally â€œunbiasedâ€ film on devastating effect glass skyscrapers, pesticides and humans have on wildlife and birds?

Posted 12/12/09 by Melanie

Mmmm. Interesting. Neutering is so important.

Posted 11/28/09 by Bus

Our beautiful and well fed cats used to hunt and kill everything in their path. Once we recognized this behavior, we adjusted the time that they would be allowed outside to give the other creatures a living chance. It was futile, we decided to place them in a cat refuge (spayed and neutered). It is a delimma that has no easy answer, but as humans we "must" do what we can to be the guardians of our lovely planet.

Posted 11/23/09 by theKidshibuya

"Interesting, but extremely biased. It is fairly well documented that it is not the cat that is driving various animal species to extinction but human activity which causes environmental degradation." Rubbish. Domestic cats are included in 'human activity' since with out us there would be no such thing. In Australia where I am from a great many of our native animals are extinct due in no small part to cats. Feral cats dominate large areas of the land while in more urban areas house cats are everywhere and they all hunt. We have lost almost every small mammal we had and small birds and lizards are not fairing too much better. If you don't think cats are having a huge impact on the wild life then I question your ability to think rationally.

Posted 11/13/09 by Dexter

I think a lot of this is very unfair to cats. None of these wildlife people would have a problem with a big cat taking down it's natural pray. That's just what cats do. And seeing what we humans have done to the planet and the wildlife I think it's the hight of arogance to say that cats killing mice and birds is something to worry about. And most of these people, if they found a mouse in their kitchen they would beat it to death with their shoes.

Posted 11/05/09 by TravlinMan

I liked it. I didn't see it as against cats because on their own cats wouldn't be in this position as RK said "human activity which causes environmental degradation" and we have put the cat here. However this is a story of servival and our own responcibilities. PS I like cats and one lives with us.

Posted 11/05/09 by RK

Interesting, but extremely biased. It is fairly well documented that it is not the cat that is driving various animal species to extinction but human activity which causes environmental degradation.

Posted 10/22/09 by Mary

I completely agree with "lh" on this. Not only is the title misleading, but so is the introduction to the film, itself.

Posted 10/16/09 by lh

Interesting in parts but shamefully biased. I'm a bit disappointed in Nat Geo. Misleading title and stating in the introduction that 'you may learn more about cats than you ever wanted to know', sets the callow tone of this movie. "Why cats are despised by the creators of this film." would have been a more approprate title.

Posted 09/17/09 by lazydog

I wasn't expecting to see rabbit carnage in a movie about the secret life of cats. This is typical NG propaganda.

Posted 09/09/09 by David Gannon

The cat sat on the mat and shat...The rat eat the shat that cat shat on the mat...The cat eat the rat that eat the shat that the cat shat on the mat...THE CAT SHAT THE RAT BACK ON TO THE MAT!!!

Posted 08/27/09 by Christina

I usually love National Geographic presentations but this film erroneously suggests that cats are "the" reason for the loss of songbird species. Every study done on this subject has concluded that loss of habitat is by far the major reason for the decline in songbirds. Cats are a secondary reason. Anyone interested can check with the Audubon Society on this. We can do our part to save songbirds by saving their habitat, buildings that they won't collide with, not using pesticides, turning off outside lights during migration season, as well as keeping our cats indoors. Much of the cat problem can be eliminated by a simple law making it illegal and punishable to abandon cats. Recommended reading: The Silence of the Songbirds by Craig Lawrence.

Posted 07/15/09 by Rachel

Nice comments, Laurie. I am amazed at people that would rather kill the offspring, or set them out somewhere, than to spay or neuter their cat to begin with.

Posted 07/15/09 by Laurie (I'm not ashamed of what I have to say)

This is in response to Anonymous Posted 5/29/09: I'M ashamed you're a human too! It's attitudes like yours that are causing this problem. I can only hope you do not own a pet! You're right, cats didn't originally live in houses, but neither did we! Should we let our children run wild outside too? So they can catch diseases, get hit by cars, mangled or tortured to death by some lunatic or predator? As for neutering, and getting overrun: Ages ago they had more predators to keep their numbers in check. I didn't see any predators to the cat in that park in FL. Are you aware that BILLIONS of kittens are euthanized IN ONE DAY? There are plenty of kittens available, we don't need any more. We do agree on one thing: I believe there are many humans that should be neutered too. Either because we don't need more like them or because they are not in the position to care for another human being (you don't have any children do you?). And when you say "...allow cats to breed...why have...kitty in the first place?" Are you saying the only reason to have a pet is to breed it? How about companionship, love, affection? You allow your cat to have kittens, then what? More to love? Sure, if you're going to keep all of them and take care of them. But most of the time they're given away to people who really don't care for them and later change their mind; or they're allowed to roam outside and create more and more kittens. We created this problem, it's up to us to fix it in the most human way possible. Keeping in mind that this is not the cats fault. I have 7 cats. All are "pretty", indoor, and spayed/neutered. They have food always available, so I don't need to "stuff" them, and they eat when they're hungry, so they don't "stuff" themselves. And not one of them is fat OR lazy! Two of them were purchased from adoption agencies. Of the other 5: One I found as a kitten wandering the streets, two I found dumped at 5 days old, and two that were dumped as new borns. If you don't want kittens, get your cat altered! Don't dump the results! What, can't stand the idea of killing a creature so you dump it? Don't you think that's basically sentencing it to a SLOW death? If you can't or won't take responsibility for the animal, "then you shouldn't own a cat at all, end of story!" Back to you, "Anonymous", I'm not done with you yet, but I'm running out of characters, so I'll have to continue in the next post...

Posted 07/15/09 by Laurie (I'm not ashamed of what I have to say)

Continued from above post: "This is in response to Anonymous Posted 5/29/09" I also have 4 outside cats that I care for because "stupid humans" simply left them behind when they moved. After 6 litters, all have been spayed/neutered, and all kittens given to feline adoption agencies to live in foster homes until adopted by screened loving families. And cats don't "need to breed". No creature does. The humans that are neutering their cats "to prevent more of them" are actually the ones who care the most for them. Some of us have to take responsibility for the irresponsible "stupid humans". WE decided to domesticate these animals, they are ALL of ours responsibility. God Bless those ladies trying to help those abandoned cats in that park. And all the others who are using their OWN time AND money, and who are giving so much of themselves to try to fix what so many have broken. PLEASE DON'T "forget it"! Be part of the solution, not part of the problem! Your right, one person "can't neuter every cat on the planet..." But if everyone just took care of their OWN backyard, then we CAN make a difference.

Posted 07/14/09 by Carol

My cat and dog hunt together. Usually a shrew or rabbit is the prey. I have an indoor cat as well. Both cats and the dog are neutered, yard is fenced. The outdoor cat has killed birds,rabbits and mice. Not so many now as when we first rescued him from a feral environment. Watching him, you can see how any movement will trigger the hunting instinct. So supervising his outtings, with the basement as his playground, only mice get caught. This film was interesting. I feel that the cost of spay/neuter and the cost of putting them to sleep keeps people from doing the right thing. Some can barely afford basic kitty care and food. All adopted kittys and dogs should be neutered before going to their new homes. DO NOT count on the new owerer doing the right thing. A rescue cat cost me $80 five years ago. That covered his neutering, first shots, and blood tests. Also he was socialized. One of the best cats I have ever owned.

Posted 05/30/09 by Anonymous

Cats should never be outdoors and let into harms way my ###. Why do you think we still HAVE cats? Ooohh, let me guess, was it because the cavemen never let there precious pet kitties out to play with the t-rex? Doubt it. We have cats because cats have and continue to will withstand the test of time (except maybe the large breeds, which are dying out because of humans). It's called instinct, my friends. And unless you live in the city, by all means - LET YOUR CAT OUTSIDE! Or don't get one at all. Don't keep them in cages, they need space. Cats sure as hell didn't originally live in houses and they can sure as hell continue to live outside of them. So yes, that even means little Fluffy or Tinkerbell over there. Oh, but let me guess? You've declawed them and thus taken away one of their natural means of protection, because you didn't want your precious furniture all scratched up. And I think people who neuter their cats should go in and get themselves neutered. And goodness knows that if those cats were a few feet taller and rippling with muscles, they would be bringing you your family instead of little field mice. So tell me now that they don't have natural instinct. Oh, and if wasn't for those "irresponsible" people who allow cats to breed, then why would you have your precious kitty in the first place? If you're going to buy a cat to have it look pretty and sit around your house, neuter it and stuff it with food, allowing it to become fat and lazy, then you shouldn't own a cat at all, end of story. Also, as for the people killing cats because cats are going to wipe out certain animal populations, they need to think that over a little better. Just because a hundred cats are in an area, this ONE area, of this one island, doesn't mean bird populations are magically going to deplete. Hell, if that was just ONE cat at the one spot in that one island, it could do just as much damage. And you can't neuter every cat on the planet, so forget it. Cats need to breed, it just one of their ways of life. And seriously - if we were going to get overrun with cats, they've been around long enough it could have happened ages ago, when there were MORE of them to start with. No, it's humans overrunning the cats, and the humans don't like them, so they just simply neuter them to prevent more of them. Because the stupid humans have decided they should get their way no matter what. I'm ashamed to be a human.. such a spoiled pathetic race.

Posted 05/23/09 by Robbin

I can see where some areas of the planet have wildlife diminishing due to the introduced cat, but there has to be a better way. Purposefully killing them is far to harsh and unnecessary. I know...how about a Kitty Island? Would the cats perish on the island due to starvation from wiping out their food source?

Posted 05/21/09 by terilynn

I thought everyone knew cats are hunters. I love my cats dearly. I would save each and everyone of the unwanted if I could. I understand that all wildlife is important, and often desprate measures are nessassary. I do not think the open cruelty, of the hunt was needed to make this an informative film. All hunt victims suffer and the results are heart wrenching. but I saw this film as portraying cats as nearly evil and deserving of being clubed and eaten.

Posted 05/21/09 by Susan

Good grief, yet another tired, old typical stereotype involving cats. "The soul of a killer still lurks inside every kitty." That is a crock. Most indoor cats have become so domesticated that they wouldn't have a clue about what to do with a mouse, bird or any other "prey." My three cats are afraid of a bug, for heaven's sake. We live in the woods and a field mouse got in the house one time, all three cats hid under the bed. To make blanket statements about cats is to deny their inherent differences. Feral cats are often more aggressive "hunters" than housecats, often thanks to irresponsible people who allowed their cats to breed then dumped them into hard lives. All cats are NOT alike just like all people are not alike, just like all dogs are not adorable loyal darlings. My Mom had a few wonderful dogs, she also had a couple that were temperamental, demanding, snippy and would just as soon bite as be friendly. If dogs can have different personalities and instincts, why is it assumed that ALL cats are alike? It is that same mindset that allows bigots to believe that "all African Americans are alike," "all Jewish people are alike" and to harbor misplaced and misguided disdain for entire groups. As for "slipping out of the house," cats should never be allowed outdoors and into harm's way. There is no reason to expose cats to disease, poisons, vicious dogs, subhuman sick people, car accidents, wild predators, parasites and a myriad of other dangers. Cats kept indoors are cleaner, safer and will not be subject to the title "hunter" that many would like to assign to ALL cats. Cat equality. A concept whose time has come.

Posted 05/21/09 by Fay

I really enjoyed this film. I am a cat lover and I have 3 cats. I learned a lot from this film. I already have my cats with a curfew, but I did not realize that the cats hurt the wild life. I am going to keep that in mind because I love all animals.

Secret Life of Cats