draft Declaration of Feline Rights (revised)

On 27 July 2005, I put up my proposed draft Declaration of Feline Rights for comment.

Following input from some dedicated cats, here is a revision. I also wish to acknowledge Kazumi Joy as co-drafter (her contribution is designated with a KJ). She is also a wonderful feline philosopher!

PREAMBLE

Whereas humans and cats have co-existed for many millenia and shall continue to do so for mutual benefit until the end of time,

Whereas cats were once worshipped by humans in the advanced civilisation of ancient Egypt,

Whereas humans require cats to guide them in the pursuit of happiness and wellbeing,

Now therefore, humans where they have formed a domestic bond and co-habitation arrangement with cats agree upon the following (not in any order of importance):

Article 1
All cats in the care of humans have the right to life without pain and suffering, physically and psychologically;

Article 2
All cats in the care of humans have the right to fresh drinking water to be changed often;

Article 3
All cats in the care of humans have the right to be fed their preference of food on a daily basis within the economic means of the human, and within parameters conducive to physical health and growth;

Article 4
All cats in the care of humans have the right to have their fur brushed by the human if they so desire;

Article 5
All cats in the care of humans have the right to medical care to cure illnesses and injuries;

Article 6
All cats in the care of humans have the right to warmth and shelter;

Article 7
All cats in the care of humans have the right not to be de-clawed as claws are an essential part of a cat's anatomy for scratching, for protection, and for expression;

Article 8
All cats in the care of humans have the right to sit and lay on any item of furniture designed for that purpose, including equal access to a human’s bedding;
(amended, KJ)

Article 9
All cats in the care of humans have the right to lay on any human's lap if so desired, and pats, belly rubs, scratches, stroking, and/or kisses WHEN and IF desired;
(amended, KJ)

Article 10
All cats in the care of humans have the right to not co-habitate a dwelling with a dog, or a cat (or any other animal) not to their liking;
(amended, KJ)

Article 11
All cats in the care of humans have the right to shed their fur as nature intended, including all over clothing and furniture; and

Article 12
All cats in the care of humans have the right to attempt to win over non-cat people in any way possible, without fear of scolding or banishment.
(inserted - Sir Higson Nick)

Article 13
All cats in the care of humans have the right to safe windows that eliminate the risk of falling down a certain height;
(inserted, KJ)

Article 14
All cats in the care of humans have the right to not be bred and raised in kitten mills or being intentionally impregnated just because humans think kittens are cute;
(inserted, KJ)

Article 15
All cats in the care of humans have the right to not be left on their own (without other humans coming in) for an unreasonable length of time (e.g. when their humans go on vacation);
(inserted, KJ)

Article 16
All cats in the care of humans have the right to not be abandoned when it’s no longer considered convenient to keep or take a cat along (e.g. when moving);
(inserted, KJ)

Article 17
All cats in the care of humans have the right to not participate in cat shows and competitions unless they obviously enjoy it;
(inserted, KJ)

Article 18
All cats in the care of humans have the right to not be subjected to getting hit by cars (or going missing) by being allowed outside unsupervised and/or unharnessed;
(inserted, KJ)

Article 19
All cats in the care of humans have the right to not be subjected to being dressed up in silly human clothes; and
(inserted, KJ)

Article 20
All cats in the care of humans have the right to boss their humans about.

Kazumi Joy and I now lay the draft document on the table for 90 days for comment. After this time, any comments will be considered, with the final declaration available for all kitties to present to their humans for ratification.

Football - round 20. What a total disaster! My team were totally thrashed by a far superior team on the day, and it was predicted to be a close game.

SYDNEY SWANS: 6.1, 11.5, 14.6, 19.10 (124) defeated
BRISBANE LIONS: 2.2, 3.3, 5.3, 6.4 (40)

GOALS – Sydney: Hall 6, O'Loughlin 4, O'Keefe 3, Crouch, Davis, Jolly, Mathews, Kennelly, Buchanan Brisbane: Spannderman, Michael, Johnson, Copeland, McGrath, Sherman
BEST – Sydney: Hall, Williams, Roberts-Thomson, O'Keefe, Schneider Brisbane: Voss, Akermanis, Johnson
INJURIES – Brisbane: Michael (finger), Lappin (knee)
CHANGES – Brisbane: Black (calf) replaced in the starting side by Moody
REPORTS# - C.Scott reported for striking Buchanan in the fourth quarter
UMPIRES - Kennedy, Head, Schmitt
CROWD - 43,512 at Telstra Stadium

#We watched the Chris Scott/Amon Buchanan incident. Scott should not have been reported as he only slapped Buchanan on the back as Buchanan charged his mark with a fist. Unfortunately, the umpire only saw this from the front. Anyway, Scott was awarded a free kick but threw it away by his retaliatory slap.

*Please visit Cooper and Camilla who are good at finding out about things and sharing it with us.

........ooooooooOOOOOOOOoooooooo........

Today was a slow day. I spent most of the day napping on the couch, at times on my human's lap. He made and bottled salted preserved lemons (Moroccan style) while I watched the football on tv - he couldn't bring himself to watch such a disastrous game.

keisercat@wildmail.com