kitty controversy

In regard to the “Arrows of Outrage” letters against Dr. Anna P. Clarke for her advice about placing bamboo spikes in the garden to ward of cats: The day before it appeared I had discovered that my cats were using my newly planted fern bed for a litter box. I was delighted to learn what I could do to stop them. I planted cheap wooden chopsticks every three inches around the edge of the bed. They are not sharp--just little square sticks--and certainly couldn’t hurt a cat or a toddler. And they certainly solved my problem pronto. Many thanks to Dr. Clarke for my thriving fern bed.

Betty Ruthven

Los Angeles

Once again, Dr. Clarke has shown her insensitivity (Pet Doctor, Nov. 25). Not content to advocate placing spikes in flower beds, now she tells people to take their neighbors’ cats to the pound. She obviously isn’t aware that the “shelters” can’t always notify an owner that their animal is being held. This lady is irresponsible and inhumane, dislikes cats and should be dropped from your magazine.

Susan Green

Los Angeles

I am writing in response to a question by S. R. in the Pet Doctor column of Nov. 25. Cats cannot be controlled by owners as dogs are. You cannot keep a cat on a leash all day. It is against their nature. They are very independent. We have had our cat Perky for 14 years. He is an outside cat and he likes it that way. He has never done any real damage to our garden. I have never had complaints from neighbors. Just stomping your foot and making a loud scat sound will usually get a cat on its way. So, please tell people to be patient with cats and try my method.

Helen Lincavage

Saugus