RightWave

The Christian Science Monitor yesterday reported that, according to claims by the Humane Society and others, global warming is causing an increase in kittens.  Yep, you read that right, the radical left has deputized the Humane Society (along with their cuddly little friends) into their “regulate now” argument to curb global warming.

“Each year it seems to get worse and worse,” said Christina Gin, an animal shelter volunteer in Hayward, Calif., to the Hayward Daily Review earlier this month.

She was talking about the shelter’s surplus of kittens, a problem that animal shelters across the country face every summer. But lately, it seems that there have been more and more of the furry carnivores.

Ms. Gin blames global warming for the feline glut, and she’s not alone. The Humane Society has observed that kitten season, which usually starts in March and April, has been starting earlier and lasting longer.

Now, let’s get something straight.  Do they want MORE cute things or FEWER cute things?  I mean, first we’re bemoaning the supposed decrease in the (cute) polar bear population.  Now, we’re upset in the increase in the cat population?  (Now, personally I understand this because I hate cats, but still.  They’re awful cute when they’re kittens.)

Next, we’ll apparently be talking about the Canadian red squirrel:

No definitive link has been established, but climate change has been shown to change the breeding patterns of at least some mammals. In 2003, for example, researchers at the University of Alberta discovered that Canadian red squirrels are giving birth an average of 18 days earlier than their great-grandparents, a shift that they attributed to rising temperatures.

But, let’s go get serious for a minute.  If we really care about domestic animals, as the Humane Society certainly does, let’s address the real issues.  First and foremost, I’d spend more time and resources pushing folks to get their cats spayed and neutered.  That’s a surefire way to prevent feline procreation.

We also need to consider the very real impact rising fuel and energy prices have on the average family’s budget.  Will there be room with $5, $6, or even $8 per gallon gas to keep Fido and Whiskers in the family.  Make no mistake, American families love their pets, but when it’s a choice between gasoline and food and pet care, I think we know the answer.  Animal shelter populations increase, and family pets suffer.   Not to mention the fact that contributions to animal shelters decrease during economic downturns, further imperiling the lives of animals.

The real message here: protect our economy.  It’s good for everyone, including pets!  If we choose higher taxes, increased regulation, and restricted freedom, we’ll not only NOT “fix” the problem we intend to solve (presumably, global warming) but we’ll also hurt our country in the long term by killing an already slowing economy.  I don’t think anyone wants that.

Then again…maybe they do.

3:50 p.m. UPDATE: You have absolutely got to see this website.  Also, US News & World Reports is on the case as well.