Though it says that is not the conclusion, an absolutely fascinating article in The Atlantic should lead to a much greater drive to rid New Zealand of feral cats. Toxoplasmosis may be far more sinister than we’ve thought.
We’ve long known it could be bad to let cats nest in the hay shed. Fouled hay caused abortions in stock. And we knew pregnant women should avoid cats.
But now toxoplasmosis, that needs cats for its life cycle, is implicated in schizophrenia, promiscuity, traffic accidents and increased suicide rates.
If you like your beef rare, you should be on Gareth Morgan’s side in this one. Read the article in full to find out why, and to be amazed.
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Fascinating article. We haven’t had a cat as a pet for some 48 years and where we live now in the country there are always feral cats around-dumped by people who can’t be bothered making provision for them while they go on holiday. I have little compunction I shooting them as there is no other way to control them. I shudder to think what it must be like in the town these days where you are supposed to tolerate other people’s cats on your property. We certainly need a whole change in attitude to cats and certainly a change in law to bring them more in line with the law on dogs.