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I'd really like to discuss this topic with someone who has an informed opinion (vet; pet owner; thoughtful and ethical person; etc)
I've seen a lot of cats / kittens around Hanoi in conditions that break my heart - they are mangey, usually attached to a tree with a short chain, and underfed. I understand the need to restrain cats so they don't get hit by traffic, but not convinced that chaining them to a tree is a humane option. Interesting the small dogs I see around the place tend to be in better conditions, and less of them are chained up.
I've been fighting urges to 'rescue' these animals (I haven't tried yet, but I'm thinking offering US$10 might get me the cat, or at least the owner valuing the cat more highly). However, I'm only going to be here for two years and thus can't commit to taking care of a cat for life.
If I did succumb to temptation, would it be unethical of me on any of the following grounds (or others - if you can think of them, please add them):
1. That particular cat might be 'saved', but it may encourage the former owner to breed more kittens on the hope they can be sold also;
2. The cat would need to be rehomed after two years. I expect it could be difficult to find a willing expat / Vietnamese family with the same pet care standards. And I'll be going to another developing nation & won't be able to take a cat with me. The idea of putting the cat down after two years makes me sick. However, is it better for the cat to have had a shorter than optimal lifespan in good conditions, or live a maybe longer (maybe not) life in less nurturing conditions?
3. I can only adopt one or two cats (I'm not going to become a cat lady). Is it then just self-congratulatory behaviour to adopt a cat and feel all morally justified? Is this just another form of charity designed for self-gratification?
Your considered opinion would be appreciated.
Rik
ethics pet abandon vet cat humane (add tags) Why? Details of tags
answered about 8 months ago by jimbo
I think it's just self-congratulatory behaviour to adopt a cat and feel all morally justified. Your words, but I'm in a similar same boat, and I force myself to resist the temptation. I think you have it worked out, you just need someone to agree with you and let it go. There are lots of children in this city who aren't much better off.
answered about 8 months ago by travelgoddess
Was just talking about something similar to this the other day. Moreso the want to have a cat but not doing so due to a moving often lifestyle. I bet there would be serious interest from the expat community if there was a service/group/etc that handled getting cats into a home, that way when your short time in Hanoi is up, the cat has a new place to go. Maybe you could set something like this up? Could be a rather informal group. Just a thought.
answered about 8 months ago by pippasweetie
I couldn't agree more. It breaks your heart. My family would love a cat and or dog, however having already broken my kids' hearts by leaving one behind already I don't want that to reoccur when we return to a country where we cannot take our pets. I have tried to numb myself to these scenes. I don't know all of the details but the HIWC did run a project where they resupplied cats to a regional area that was having problem with rats/mice eating their rice. They did not have enough cats left because they had eaten them all. I think the plan was to use the cats to catch vermin and therefore assist the villages economic situation (and appreciate the value of cats working in a household, rather than on the dinner table). Pippasweetie
answered about 8 months ago by Khumbu
Travelgoddess - sounds like a good idea. Although I've left a cat behind in my home country and not sure I want to go through that experience again (much like Pippasweetie's kids). It's not so much that I want a cat here, it's more that I don't want cats to be experiencing the conditions that I was seeing them in. Just to be balanced, may I also note that there are some very fat and happy cats around - including a _gorgeous_ huge tabby in a jewellery store in the old quarter. Jimbo, I think you have a point there. However, street kids have places like Blue Dragon and KOTO (and various other places) to assist them, even if the demand on these places is currently greater than capacity. Think I will also have to explore whether there's an equivalent of the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) here, or other grass root orgs working to educate communities on the treatment of pets. Getting involved / somehow supporting such an org might help me alleviate my concern on a more productive level. Cheers for your thoughts everyone, and if anyone has any more comments, please do feel free to post. R
answered about 8 months ago by guitarnoise
I have neighbors that chain their cat up inside. It never gets near traffic. I'd have to say though, if you want to adopt a cat go right ahead. You'll surely give it a decent life and perhaps even improve your own standard of living. Nothing like having a few cats around. People have found homes for their pets through this website before, so abandoning your pet shouldn't be an issue either. There are always people arriving in Hanoi and finding a home for your cats isn't a big problem. And it is possible to take them with you when you leave.
answered about 8 months ago by caitlin
If you really want to do something to help pets in Hanoi I would suggest trying to get something done about de-sexing. As far as I can see virtually no one de-sexes their animals, which is one reason for the explosion of mangy kittens and puppies. I know there is a contraceptive injection available that lasts for a year. Maybe you could get a vet, or organisation like the International Women's Club, or even a Vietnamese Student volunteer group to sponsor and advertise something like this? It would be a big project, but far more useful than adopting a couple of kittens.
answered about 8 months ago by harri_vn
I bought a kitten 3 days ago...i'm always weak when i see things like that...it was in a cage with a puppy...i was tempted to buy the puppy too but my housemates had to put their foot down and tell me no. Anyway, my kitten is beautiful and i feel good for giving him a nice home :-) xx
answered about 6 months ago by suvving
I really like pippasweetie's comment about the project that used the cats' usefulness to help demonstrate their worth to people. That sounds like a great idea and one that sets up a mutually beneficial relationship between cats and humans. I live in Los Angeles, CA (USA) and have plenty of friends who are die-hard animal lovers. They really support pet adoptions from animal shelters, since that doesn't really support breeding more cats for profit. I'm not sure if there are animal shelters in Vietnam, but that might be a good, guilt-free way to adopt a pet that would otherwise be killed. It's great that you're giving this so much thought and that you're thinking about both the short and long term consequences of your choices. How about keeping your ears open in the expat community for people who are moving away from Vietnam and are unable to take their cat with them? That might not meet your immediate needs of having a cat right now or of solving the bigger problem of cats being neglected on the streets of Vietnam, but that's an option you could feel socially responsible about. At the end of your time in Vietnam, you could then look for someone who's looking for a cat and could take it.
answered about 6 months ago by Luci1
Oh gosh, we are moving to Hanoi very soon and now i have visions of poor abandoned, amaciated cats everywhere.We are moving with our cat from the UK to KL and then to Hanoi, its costing a fortune but i just could not bear to leave him behind, he is one of the family you know. i had no idea of the situation you speak of there and being an animal lover, especially cats, its quite heartbreaking to hear about it. I guess i will have to brace myself for seeing things that im not used to and try and deal with them. I will keep my eye on this thread and when i arrive i would be willing to help out in some way to make lives better for our furry little friends there
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