I think that some of the discussions on the forum have been dangerously ill informed and I worry about the source of some of the ´statements´ people make. Advising against vaccines is not a ´discussion´ it is an irresponsible statement and saying ´6 reasons why our cat shouldn´t have dried food´ could just as easily be countered by 6 reasons why wet food is bad for your cat. Also knocking animal welfare shelters on a daily basis makes me feel sick with frustration as I know these places to be run by the very best people. I think this site is good for entertainment and finding other cat friends but the forum could be the ondoing of it as pet manufacturers seeing it could sue very easily. And sensible people stay away horrified by some of the rubbish from the forum.

I wish I could disable my membership so I never even see the forum. The club forums are Ok as they are fun or intelligently written.

Hmm .. not much going on in this club! I want to revise slighlty what I said before. I think some of the topics are fun and interesting and I will probaby read the fun ones (except they turn serious very quickly) I just don´t want to read the rubbish that is contained in the ones written by people who don´t have the knowledge or the training to advise other pet owners. I now know the names of the people I like and trust and who say things that make sense. I also know the names of the rubbish writers ...

Actually, I grew up in a household which vaccinated the dog every year, and I was shocked to learn that my own, persnickety, picky, "do it by the rules" mother has stopped vaccinating her cats, as they do not go outside, and there is evidence of cancers/tumours on the vaccination site.

As my cat *does* go outside, and I´m terrified of FIV, and Feline leukemia, I will not stop vaccinating. I´m terrified that I will go somewhere (like my mother´s) where the cats AREN´T vaccinated, pick up one of them, and bring it home to my kittas.

But people do have reasons for the discussion and it is up to us as individual cat owners to decide. Likewise the "feed raw meat" clan is a large contingent. I supplement with raw meat - or would, if my cat would eat it. But some people believe differently from me.

I´m also a firm believer in the neutering / de-sexing camp. But there are members here who believe it is unnatural, even when their cats are coming home ragged and bloody from fighting. I can suggest neutering, but when that suggestion is rejected, I´ve done my best.

Some of this is cultural differences - this club is more international than any group I´ve ever belonged to. Some of it is belief systems. And I don´t proselytize my religion - ergo - beliefs about cats are personal, too.

Hmm .. not much going on in this club! I want to revise slighlty what I said before. I think some of the topics are fun and interesting and I will probaby read the fun ones (except they turn serious very quickly) I just don´t want to read the rubbish that is contained in the ones written by people who don´t have the knowledge or the training to advise other pet owners. I now know the names of the people I like and trust and who say things that make sense. I also know the names of the rubbish writers ...
FYI: From Merriam Webster Dictionary: The Definition of FORUM : 1 a: the marketplace or public place of an ancient Roman city forming the center of judicial and public business b: a public meeting place for open discussion c: a medium (as a newspaper or online service) of OPEN DISCUSSION or EXPRESSION OF IDEAS.

I believe that all viewpoints are valid, some I agree with, some I don´t, but I don´t insult other peoples views by calling them "rubbish". That in my opinion is very rude and in itself shows ignorance and close-mindedness.

I´m certain you can prove that you have been to every animal shelter in the world and personally know for a fact who they are run by and how they are run. Since I can probably assume you have not, then your statement "as I know these places to be run by the very best people" to be in-factual at best. I´m am positive that the animal shelters you HAVE had contact with are indeed run by the very best people and very well at that. It does not mean that people who have had contrary experiences to yours are wrong and that their experiences should be labeled as "rubbish".

Everyone has a right to their opinion, even you. I just don´t believe YOU have the credentials to be the judge and jury to the other writers in the forum which is a place of open expressions and ideas after all.