Quote: "They're an invasive species not native to france with few natural predators. So if by circle of life you mean man destroying the environment by the release of cats and promotion of wanton destruction of native species, then yes, you are right."
There's a difference between non-native domesticated animals and wild ones. Our local ecosystem hasn't suffered as a result to the number of cats in our village. Why? For a start, the population of cats is controlled, unlike releasing say, squirrels into the wild they're not: A) competing with other animals for food or consuming most of the food B) they're not breeding freely. Also, we still get birds of prey, meaning the cats aren't stealing their meals, from what I've seen, local birds are far better hunters than cats.
Whilst yes, cats will bring in the odd bird, but not enough to hurt an ecosystem. Cats aren't hunting for food if you're feeding them properly. They're more likely hunting out of instinct rather than hunger. This means less of a demand for birds, meaning a cat is going to kill fewer of them.
I see more dead animals on the road than around my village. At least my cats don't bring down deer, however, I've seen deer dead by the road side, and they're rarer than the swallows or rabbits the cats bring back, at least locally. Human population means a distinct lack of woodland, though there is woodland around, it's mostly fields around here. Foxes and badgers too are found dead on the road. Cars have no natural predators and are capable killers of any local wildlife.
If I lived in a city or town, I wouldn't own a cat because I'd have to keep them indoors. I think it's cruel to keep an animal shut up. Cats hate being shut in. At least with a dog they enjoy being taken out on a leash or you can set them loose in the park. So if I were a city slicker, I'd be more inclined to own a dog.
