“Dear Cocoa,
I was born about a
year ago and have been wandering about in the woods near my birthplace ever
since. I have learned about safe havens;
areas where I can get food and water; and places that are fun to play in; but
recently I have come upon a dilemma that I can’t figure out. You see, Cocoa, my dame (I guess they call it
a mother in human speak) came in to heat recently and I, being all male and
proud of it, attempted to mate with her.
The humans who provide the barn where most of us sleep and feed on mice
kept hiding her and pushing me away when I got close. They did it to the others who had been born
in the barn and I just don’t understand why.
Is there something wrong with us that they didn’t want us to breed? Or are they having a problem that it is my
dame? Please advise…..
Signed Wants to Mate”
“Dear Wants to Mate,
 |
| Wants to Mate We don't often get their personal picture. |
Ahhhh, the old mating
issue. I have some strong advice for
you, my friend, advice you might not like to hear, but probably should. You see, your dame, to the humans, is your
mother not a female in heat. They do not
understand why you and the others born in the barn would want to mate with the
one who bore you (very primitive to my thinking, but, what can we do,
right?). If you continue to per sue her,
I fear the humans may take her to the man in white (the one we all fear), and
that would successfully end her life as a viable feline. Try seeking other females in the area during
the mating season and stay away from your dame at all costs. Pass the word on to the others as well. All should know that her way of life is in
danger.
Signed Cocoa”
Cats, and most animals, do not see mating season as a time to find a young one to settle down with; rather the males seek out the scent of a female in heat and attempt to mate with her. All are equal during mating season--there is no mom, dad, sis, or bro that draws a line to mating. If you do not want your pets to mate during mating season, you should have them spayed or neutered as soon as they are old enough (for felines that is about 5-6 months of age) since it won't matter that the female in heat is their mother or sister, instinct will tell them to try to mate anyway.
