Cats should be treated more like dogs: vet

Veterinarians and humane societies across the country are teaming up to convince Canadians to treat cats with more respect.

Anne-Marie Carey of Charlottetown's Atlantic Veterinary College told CBC News this week that, in general, people don't treat cats as well as they do dogs.

"What we've really seen is a trend over a number of years that cats have been viewed as disposable to a certain extent," said Carey.

"Cats that have spent their lives living in homes are suddenly finding themselves outside without an owner, to fend for themselves."

Carey and other veterinarians and humane societies have declared 2011 the Year of the Cat. They recognize a need to decrease the population of cats, and a major component of that is educating owners about getting their animals neutered.

Carey said there is also an issue with the spread of cat diseases. While dogs usually get their shots, cats are often overlooked. She said cat owners need to assume more responsibility.

"[Cats] do need us and there are certain things we need to provide for them," she said.

P.E.I. deals with stray cats better than many other places, said Carey, with a government-funded trap, neuter and release program to help reduce the problem.

Throughout the Year of the Cat, the group will be trying to get its message out with events across the country. On P.E.I., the big event will be in May when it partners with the P.E.I. Humane Society's Cat Awareness Campaign and Adoptathon.