BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]

Subject: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Feb 19 - 07:37 PM

In San Francisco, a station in the fire department
befriended a feral kitten, and she is now the station mascot.

And some [expletive deleted] person notified
the City of San Francisco bureaucracy in complaint fashion.

So the fire station received a directive
to get rid of the cat by Monday.

Support for Edna the Fire Station Cat
is being mobilized through
this Instagram account.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mossback
Date: 10 Feb 19 - 08:13 PM

Are there not enough REAL tragedies out there that need addressing?

(by "expletive deleted" I take you to mean "law-abiding citizen" aware of the rules the Fire Department must abide by.)

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 04:06 AM

No, Mossback, I would guess it means miserable twat who has a grudge against the fire department.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 04:26 AM

I agree Dave. Sour person with nothing better to do.

I've watched those Cesar Millan programmes and he was once called to assist with a Fire Station dog. It seems that in some parts of USA, firefighters have a 'mascot', which I think is lovely and in my view presents no obstacle to the efficient functioning of the Station.

I hope the miserable complainant never has to call out the Fire Brigade but if he/she does, they will be impressed at their courage and expertise, and eternally grateful for their help.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: keberoxu
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 09:55 AM

And talking of rules,
no doubt the fire station is required to keep their
garages and warehouse storage areas
free of vermin.
One of the Instagram/Twitter commenters took this up, remarking
that he doubted the station had any mice or rats about
with a good little mouser of a cat on the job.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 10:09 AM

I'll never forget those terrible images on TV of the tragic losses of firefighters after 9/11. Anyone who saw that should be extremely respectful and grateful to any Fire Station personnel.
Having a little cat on the premises is sweet, not something at which to wave the Rule Book.
And yes keberoxu, vermin will have been well-controlled.

Even 10 Downing Street has a resident cat.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mossback
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 10:39 AM

Humm.... NFNA, apparently.

Conundrum : In light of the phrase "fighting like cats & dogs",can dog worshipers also be cat worshipers & vice versa??

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 10:58 AM

What does NFNA stand for please Mossback?

I like both dogs and cats. In fact, there aren't many creatures I don't like, only spiders.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 11:01 AM

Don't know what NFNA means.

Nor would I be sure of "worshippers" but it's quite possible for people to like cats and dogs and for the animals to get on together. We reduced to just cats but only stopped having a dog after the last one died as we became increasingly doubtful about our means of providing reliable and regular good exercise in the longer term.

Back to topic. I don't see harm in the station having a cat. I'd tend towards thinking it might even cheer those working there up a bit.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 11:02 AM

ooh, I'd not seen your post when I posted, Sen.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mrrzy
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 11:26 AM

Senoufou hee hee waive the rule, or wave the book?

Still. Jerks.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 11:57 AM

i'd like to chuck the Rule Book at their fat head, whoever they are Mrrzy, not merely wave it at them. Typical 'jobsworths'.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: keberoxu
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 12:36 PM

At the feature article, to which a link is provided
through the Instagram account link,
the station staff talk about
how much it means to them
to return to the station after an especially traumatic call
and have the cat there to calm them down.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: keberoxu
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 07:04 PM

A member of the Ambulance Deployment staff for
the San Francisco fire department
has volunteered to adopt Edna the cat,
so that she will have a permanent home.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: leeneia
Date: 12 Feb 19 - 12:21 AM

Amazing, isn't it? Somebody complains about a kitty cat, and the world is set on edge. Meanwhile, I have complained about three dangerous intersections in my neighborhood, and nobody does a thing.

Why worry about danger when you fuss about RULES?

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Charmion
Date: 12 Feb 19 - 10:28 AM

Rules are easy. Danger is quite the other thing.

The complaint about the cat upsets people because it was so obviously spiteful. Whose nose exactly was skinned by the presence of a cat at a firehouse?

I believe many rules about animals in public places arise from irrational concepts of cleanliness. A firehouse accommodates huge trucks and other motor vehicles that deposit far more harmful matter in their environment than a cat ever could.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: olddude
Date: 12 Feb 19 - 11:57 AM

Some people hate themselves so much, they have to take it out on others no matter if it’s on good people and a little cat

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mossback
Date: 12 Feb 19 - 02:36 PM

Why worry about danger when you fuss about RULES?

A lot of folks have too much time on their hands and would rather flail around about ridiculous minutiae than tackle real problems - which might require some actual effort on their part rather than clicking the "like "button.

rules about animals in public places arise from irrational concepts of cleanliness

Irrational? Are you woefully uninformed about the various health issues for humans and other animals that stray cats (not "feral" cats- all cats are feral) and dogs present? Or are you simply a science-denier, perhaps?

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Feb 19 - 07:15 PM

Has anyone hurt the cat's feelings or harassed, upended, executed or displaced the cat? I pity the poor party pooper.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Feb 19 - 10:35 PM

The online San Francisco news place, SFGate,
went far enough in following up this story
that they interviewed (or did they exchange texts/e-mails with)
a paramedic who left San Francisco a year and a half ago.

For someone who lives someplace else now, and in other company,
this person certainly talks as though
she were still part of the present developments.

comments by Irene Ybarra

(the lady doth protest too much, methinks ... )

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: keberoxu
Date: 13 Feb 19 - 12:03 PM

On Wednesday morning
-- that is to say, as I submit this post --
Joseph Alioto Veronese,
San Francisco's acting Fire Commissioner,
will propose a revision to station policy
at a commission meeting.

So Alioto Veronese told an ABC-network journalist
in a phone interview yesterday;
the phone interview was afterwards disclosed
during this news broadcast.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Feb 19 - 01:31 PM

So, Mossback, because the earth is screwed anyway you think that people should stop bothering with the welfare of animals and well being of firefighters? What a sad life you must lead if you spend all your days worrying about the big issues that you can do nothing about anyway. Little wonder you are so sour. I think I would be if I could no longer help the little people.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 13 Feb 19 - 01:49 PM

Oh well said Dave!

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mossback
Date: 13 Feb 19 - 10:19 PM

people should stop bothering with the welfare of animals and well being of firefighters

You said that, Dave, I didn't.

if you spend all your days worrying about the big issues that you can do nothing about anyway.

I don't. I spend my time working on the big issues that I CAN do something about.

You might try it yourself.

(PS: cats aren't people, tho some folks act as if they were.)

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mrrzy
Date: 14 Feb 19 - 11:49 AM

Cats aren't all feral, either.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mossback
Date: 14 Feb 19 - 01:36 PM

Oh yes?

feral ['fer?l,'fir?l]
adjective: in a wild state
synonyms:        fierce, ferocious, vicious, savage, aggressive, predatory, bloodthirsty.

Cats are little ( or not so little) killing machines. They can't help it, that's the way they're "programmed".

Out of doors, i.e. stray, cats are an invasive species responsible for the extensive destruction of wildlife.

Now, before everyone piles on, I like cats - in their proper place.
And I've "owned" [if you can so call it] quite a few in my time.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 14 Feb 19 - 01:42 PM

Our five cats did hunt, Mossback, but mostly vermin (rats, mice, far-too-numerous pigeons etc)
But I agree cats are responsible for killing wildlife eg songbirds.

I feel that being concerned about 'the little things' in life is no bad way to live. It's a mindset which encourages one to be caring, attentive to needs and compassionate.
It doesn't stop one from being concerned about the big things too.
They aren't mutually exclusive.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Charmion
Date: 14 Feb 19 - 03:12 PM

No, Mossback, I am not ignorant about disease. Nor am I a science-denier. I wear the badge of the habitual hand-washer — chapped knuckles.

But life is dirty, most of it generated by humans. One learns to deal with it — that’s what soap and chlorine bleach are for.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mossback
Date: 14 Feb 19 - 06:50 PM

"Habitual hand washer", eh? Rather like Pete Hegseth , then?
Sophomoric reply, Charmion, which clearly demonstrates that you are, indeed, ignorant of the actual disease risk entailed. Do read up on it.

Not all small mammals & critters are "vermin" Senoufou. How then did your cats distinguish house mice and rats from chipmunks, water voles, baby rabbits, squirrels, field mice, shrews, miscellaneous reptiles & amphibians & etc?

being concerned about 'the little things' in life is no bad way to live

It become so when it crowds out or takes precedence over much more important and significant "big things", though, doesn't it?.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: BobL
Date: 15 Feb 19 - 03:58 AM

The only (AFAIK) time one of my household cats found a baby rabbit, he brought it into the house through the cat flap, holding it by the scruff of its neck like a kitten. I think he wanted to adopt it.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 15 Feb 19 - 04:23 AM

Hahaha Mossback, I'd have been completely astonished if our cats had come indoors with a chipmunk, as we live in a rural part of Norfolk UK!

Rabbits are considered vermin by local farmers, although I do think they're very sweet, especially the babies. I've skinned and jointed many of them (rabbits, not the farmers!)
And you're quite right of course in saying that cats don't distinguish between rare, protected species and vermin.

I'm ashamed to say that we had a colony of sloe worms (fairly rare) in the bank down by the ditch, and one day I found a dead one on the kitchen floor.
And a harvest mouse (also fairly rare).
And a few field mice.
Not to mention Hissing Sid the huge grass snake that they poked and prodded as he slept curled up on my neighbour's patio.

But in a city Fire Station I doubt whether any of these species can be found.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Jos
Date: 15 Feb 19 - 04:30 AM

The only chipmunks I have seen wild in the 'English' countryside were in the Disney film of the 101 Dalmations - they had obviously just used any random bits of film of wild animals in the snow that came to hand.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Feb 19 - 04:38 AM

You might try it yourself.

I do. Why on earth would you suggest that I do not do anything about the things I can do something about? I have enough time for the big and little issues. Do you not?

(PS: cats aren't people, tho some folks act as if they were.)

Cats are not people. Firefighters are. You seem to think that this is just about the cat. It isn't.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Feb 19 - 08:06 AM

So are people feral?

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mossback
Date: 15 Feb 19 - 01:39 PM

Actually, Mrrzy, quite a few are. Check out a Trump rally, the BNP, Britain First, any of the 70 plus Klan groups in the U.S., League of the South, Aryan Nations, Bezalel Smotrich's National Union Party, America's Promise Ministries - the list goes on and on.

OK, Senoufou, my mistake: remove the Chipmunk & add hedgehogs, dormice, voles, wood mice, shrews, moles & etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 15 Feb 19 - 01:58 PM

And adult male pheasants, posted/dragged through the cat flap.
And rather large rats.

But none of these creatures are being massacred in a city Dispatch Station surely?

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 04:07 AM

Ours give the hedgehog living under the shed a wide berth!

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 04:15 AM

Cor yes Dave! Ours learned the hard way to leave hedgehogs alone.

Also moles. In our last house we had half an acre of garden, liberally adorned with blooming mole hills. Often a mole would emerge from the top of one of these, and the cats would sit in a circle to watch.
If they ever had the cheek to try and poke the mole, it would go for them viciously and bite their paws. Moles have wicked jaws and teeth!

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mrrzy
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 08:10 AM

Don't kiss hedgehogs, I am informed.

Feral is not the same as wild. Feral is once-domesticated, but not no mo'.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 08:34 AM

Ha Mrrzy, no it wouldn't be a good idea at all!

We support the Hedgehog Hospital at Erpingham, and they have a very informative Open Day each year. They give talks and let people view their 'patients'. I help with serving teas.

Apparently, many hedgehogs suffer dreadfully from lungworm and fleas. Their Vet treats them for these parasites and operates on strimmer/mower injuries, road accident injuries and fox bites etc.

They're not very cuddly creatures really. But lovely to look at.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 08:35 AM

To get back to this being a song forum

Terry Pratchett's Hedgehog Song.

Enjoy

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 08:58 AM

Very funny song Dave! I've often wondered how they manage to mate.

The first photo on your link is of a baby albino hedgehog. The Erpingham 'hospital' has a tame albino one, and it can be picked up (gingerly!) and stroked.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mrrzy
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 10:17 AM

Seen this? Sorry no blicky.

https://www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2019/01/26/why-you-should-not-kiss-your-hedgehog-cdc-warns-of-salmonella/amp/?amp_js_v=a2&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCCAE%3D#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fbrucelee%2F2019%2F01%2F26%2Fwhy-you-should-not-kiss-your-hedgehog-cdc-warns-of-salmonella%2F

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Senoufou
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 11:30 AM

Gosh Mrrzy, I had no idea that hedgehogs can carry Salmonella! There are approx one million hedgehogs in Britain, and one doesn't even need to kiss them. Their droppings are infected and people catch the disease from their garden. Yuk! Sorry Mrs Tiggy Winkle! No kisses for you!
I must remember to ask the Erpingham people about this at their next Open Day.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: keberoxu
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 03:59 PM

The latest development is the order sent by
the San Francisco Fire Department to
the Station 49 Staff (mostly EMS paramedics).

Cease and Desist Order regarding the identity of the staffperson who submitted the complaint

This order is available from the San Francisco news website which began the initial reporting about the station's Instagram campaign.
Statements have been made in the Instagram account about
the complainant's "malicious intent" in making the complaint in the first place.

Edna the cat, plainly, is not doing the talking.
And this makes it official, not to say obvious,
that the problem in this department and in this location
is a personnel/human-relations problem,
of which a cat on the premises
is probably the least.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: Mossback
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 08:22 PM

I had no idea that hedgehogs can carry Salmonella!

Salmonella? - small potatoes.

Do check out the much more extensive list of much more serious diseases stray cats carry - and transmit to Humans -and other animals - without the necessity of being kissed.

Statements have been made in the Instagram account

Instagram? you don't mean to say you mean to say you believe the 24 karat bulls**t that site disseminates, I hope.

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: leeneia
Date: 17 Feb 19 - 09:35 AM

I'm pretty sure the station will be able to keep its cat, one way or another. A cat keeps mice down, even if it's not a good mouser. And it's widely accepted that petting an animal eases stress.

And who wants to tell the firefighters whom you might need to save your life that they can't keep their kitty?

Some years back, we had a fire station with a pot-bellied pig. It stayed under the radar.
===========
I'm pretty sure that a group of people who co-ordinate all their meals can manage to co-ordinate the care of a cat.

And if all else fails, there's midnight acquisition...

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: keberoxu
Date: 17 Feb 19 - 08:14 PM

Edna the cat, rest assured, is being well looked after.
I doubt that she has any notion what the fuss is about.
The paramedics who staff Station 49 are posting Instagram updates,
on the cat's behalf.

Since the cat was removed from the station
and relocated to someone's private quarters:
"Edna update: she is doing pretty good... using the litter box right away (thank goodness) ... watching television on the bed, but I don't think she was a big fan of watching the [Westminster] Dog Show. Truly happy that she seems to be handling this pretty well so far. She's a very resilient kitty!"

Just before the weekend:
"Edna is doing really well! She seems to still be adjusting better than expected so far. Unfortunately the status of her returning to Station 49 still has not changed. She is deeply missed at station. . . Thank you everyone for your continued love and support for Edna and the members of Station 49! #ednastays "

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Feb 19 - 12:30 PM

Edna the cat removed from fire station after anonymous complaint

Subject: RE: BS: Defenders Of The Cat[s]
From: keberoxu
Date: 19 Feb 19 - 07:03 PM

Tune back in to the ongoing saga of
Station 49 after the Wednesday, February 27
meeting of the San Francisco Fire Commission.
A proposal for policy change is to be submitted at this meeting.
Until then,
the Station 49 fire department / paramedic / EMS staff
have to keep schtumm,
according to the cease-and-desist order.