How Much is the Civil Penalty for that Doggy in the Window?

At the heart of the "conventional ownership" condition in the sidebar is an implied question: "is it okay to own, or to do this activity, regardless of commerce?" In the case of pet breeding, I guess the answer is "no," at least around in the 580 area code (OKC).

Will a fine on backyard breeding kennels reduce the unwanted pet population? Almost certainly. Will the $500 fine fall disproportionately on poor people already struggling to make ends meet, and who are perhaps too poor to afford veterinary services? Also, almost certainly.

There's a curious habit among the people of civilized nations to punish destitute and myopic citizens for the crimes of being poor and shortsighted. Having a fertile pet may not be euvoluntary, but is taxing and fining poor pet owners the best way to keep strays from running amok? Not a rhetorical question. I cannot identify a superior alternative here. My imagination fails me.

h/t Saddy

Reblog: Neko Cafes to Hit the City by the Bay

EE of days past: Mungo on Japan's Neko Cafes.

An idea so great that San Francisco is opening one soon. KitTea will serve both as a relaxing place for San Franciscans to chill out with some kitties and to provide a home for wayward felines.

So, what do you think? Will California's notoriously draconian food safety regulators skin this cat? How about Animal Control? PETA? Seems like an uphill battle, even if the result of the venture is to match cat-friendly tea drinkers with purring balls of fur and at the same time providing a nice, safe, warm home (and veterinary care, assuredly) for otherwise homeless cats.

We'll see, but I wish them all the best in the meantime.

Neko Cafes

Okay, none of the obvious tasteless jokes.  These "cat cafes" are about REAL cats, folks.

 For regulars, the cafes offer a place to unwind and play with cats, while they sip coffee. Many urban apartments do not permit pets, meaning that pet lovers are left without furry friends to call their own. The neko cafes fill that void.


What?  The cats sip coffee?  That can't be right.  Call PETA!