I'm interested in whether any of you have ever consulted an animal communicator/psychic to communicate with your feral or non-feral cat, and if you feel there was any reality to the experience. A family member of mine is studying reiki, and last summer gave an intriguing reading on my outdoor feral, and about two thirds of what she said was plausible (but I don't buy the notion that in a former life he was an Egyptian royalty cat). I also consulted with a professional animal communicator a few months ago on two different situations--one involving my outdoor feral, and one involving a distressed stray I was trying to rescue. A lot of the info she gave on my feral seemed accurate, but she was unable to give specific info on the stray, and some of what she said about the stray was inaccurate (she thought it was healthy, but it turned out that after the Humane Society trapped it, the cat was FIV positive and they euthanized him). Are animal communicators, in your opinion, just experts in the field of human psychology, animal behavior, and specifically feral cat behavior, and give their readings based on this knowledge, or do you think they are actually able to communicate with animals?
If they are able to communicate with our cats, then how do we balance our role as our cats' caregivers with their desire to be independent and make their own choices (i.e. if a cat expresses that he does not want to be neutered or trapped). How do we balance our desire to find a way to get our feral inside our homes in dangerously cold weather or to a vet for treatment if they're injured or ill with their desire to stay outside and allow us to care for them in that capacity (giving antibiotics in their food, providing outdoor shelter). Are these cats intelligent and sensitive animals that we are responsible to care for once we begin feeding them, whether the care involves something they don't want, or are they soulful beings capable of making their own decisions?
I'm open minded on the subject and would like some honest, respectful feedback. We are obviously a group of people who care deeply about ferals and strays or we wouldn't be posting on this forum and doing so much to save these cats. I hope we can have a meaningful exchange of ideas, and that my post won't be removed because it's too controversial. ALL opinions are welcome
If they are able to communicate with our cats, then how do we balance our role as our cats' caregivers with their desire to be independent and make their own choices (i.e. if a cat expresses that he does not want to be neutered or trapped). How do we balance our desire to find a way to get our feral inside our homes in dangerously cold weather or to a vet for treatment if they're injured or ill with their desire to stay outside and allow us to care for them in that capacity (giving antibiotics in their food, providing outdoor shelter). Are these cats intelligent and sensitive animals that we are responsible to care for once we begin feeding them, whether the care involves something they don't want, or are they soulful beings capable of making their own decisions?
I'm open minded on the subject and would like some honest, respectful feedback. We are obviously a group of people who care deeply about ferals and strays or we wouldn't be posting on this forum and doing so much to save these cats. I hope we can have a meaningful exchange of ideas, and that my post won't be removed because it's too controversial. ALL opinions are welcome