how to write a human awareness essay

How to write a Human Awareness Essay

Cats destroy native wildlife. Should their numbers be controlled?

Should domestic cats be banned?

Plan Introduction Background

Biology Points for Points

against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details Why the issue

is important Definitions of

key words Contrasting

views on the issue

Who may be affected by the issue and why.

Paragraph The issue related to the

domestic cat and its numbers directly impact on many individuals and groups in our society. In fact, given the large increase in numbers of domestic cats in the last 50 years or so, unless something is done to curb population size, the biodiversity of our ecosystems may be under threat.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion




views on the issue


Paragraph The endangered species

protection Act of 1992 lists predation by feral cats as the key threatening process in the endangerment of natives species. Feral cats are defined as those that survive and reproduce in natural areas by hunting or scavenging.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion




views on the issue


Paragraph The domestic cat is warmly

portrayed as a cute and cuddly friend, to be pampered and treated to the most exquisite delicacies. Indeed, significant portions of our households act as home bases for these benign creatures. Not only do we need to consider the benefits gained by individual cat owners, we also need to look at the negative impact caused by this most voracious and efficient hunter




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion




views on the issue


Paragraph At many different levels

of control of cat numbers is of real relevance. Councils and local governments need to respond to the issues raised by scientists and conservationists, and these decisions impact on all of us. The animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA, are empowered with dealing with stray cats and the appropriate destruction of unwanted.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details Behaviour

details that relates to the issue.

Physiology that relates to the issue.

Ecology that relates to the issue

Potential biological problems that are linked to the issue.

Paragraph Some important behavioural

and physiological characteristics of the cat make it a most efficient hunter. Since the 1850's colonies of cats have been established in virtually all areas of the country. They are nocturnal and require very little water, receiving all of their requirements from the prey that they eat. In fact, it appears that very few environmental factors limit their distribution (4).




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion






Paragraph As a relatively young

maturer, they are capable of reproducing at about one year of age, and, as they can have up to eight kittens per litter, they are quick and effective reproducers. They may breed at any time of the year under favourable conditions.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion






Paragraph As an introduced animal

they have few natural predators and are very efficient hunters of small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion





Other biological problems that are linked to the issue.

Paragraph Another concern regarding

cats is the fact that they are known carriers of diseases like toxoplasmosis and sarcosporidiosis that can infect native animals and domestic livestock (1). Toxoplasmosis is known to cause severe problems to the developing foetus in humans if pregnant women are infected.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details Key point: the

effects of cats on native animals.

Specific backup of main idea with examples.

Further backup of main idea – alternatively you could have a second, different point against.

Paragraph When considering

introducing controls on cat numbers or reducing the number of cats in Australia there are several factors that should be considered. Feral cats have had severe effects on many native species.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion





Paragraph They are known to have

caused the extinction of a sub – species of parakeet and have put at risk recovery programmes aimed at protecting endangered species like the Mala and rock Wallabies.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion





Paragraph Feral cats have been shown

to thwart re-introduction programmes for endangered species, such as the Numbat, Golden Bandicoot and Burrowing Bettong in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The dramatic recovery of species on islands after the removal of feral cats is evidence of their impact (2).




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion





Paragraph Control schemes to reduce

rabbit populations are proving effective, but as rabbit numbers fall, the feral cat turns to native birds and mammals for its source of food.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details Key point: hard

to control cat movements.


.

Paragraph It is difficult to confine cats

to a single back yard as they are extremely agile and mobile, easily capable of covering large distances in search of prey.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details Key point: hard

to control cat movements.


Paragraph It is difficult to confine cats

to a single back yard as they are extremely agile and mobile, easily capable of covering large distances in search of prey. Unless owners take responsibility by sterilizing their pets before they reach reproductive age, many unwanted cats are born and stray off in search of food.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details Another key

point: cat lovers will object to their control.


.

Paragraph Introducing radical

measures to reduce the effects of cats on native species will meet with strong opposition from many quarters.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details Another key

point: cat lovers will object to their control.


Paragraph Introducing radical

measures to reduce the effects of cats on native species will meet with strong opposition from many quarters. Many people receive real friendship and companionship from the relationships they develop with their cats. Studies have revealed cats can reduce blood pressure in elderly patients in nursing homes.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details Two final

points: cat have uses.

How do you get rid of excess or feral cats?.

Paragraph In homes where vermin like

mice and rats abound, cats can be effective in controlling numbers.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details Two final

points: cat have uses.

How do you get rid of excess or feral cats?

Paragraph In homes where vermin like

mice and rats abound, cats can be effective in controlling numbers. If cat numbers are to be reduced the real issue of how the cats are to be destroyed needs to be addressed.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details

How are the authorities dealing with the issue?

Federal? State and

local? Own ideas Details of

ideas for control

Paragraph Currently feral cat numbers

are controlled by shooting, trapping, baiting and the use of cat-proof fences. These techniques have eradicated cats from some islands but obviously they will not eradicate cats from mainland Australia, as urban strays can easily re – colonise the areas.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details


Federal? State and


ideas for control

Paragraph The Commonwealth

Government has two programmes that are aimed at reducing the impact of feral animals; the Feral Pests programme and the Vertebrate Pest programme. Financial support is provided from the Commonwealth government. [Note: no reference here]




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details


Federal? State and


ideas for control

Paragraph At the local level, state government

departments (National Parks and Wildlife Services) are taking positive actions. They have a long history of practical feral cat management.(3) The policy of destroying cats trapped in national parks is an attempt to reduce the impact in these sensitive areas. The use of microchips as indicators of ownership and tattoos on the ears, to show that desexing has been carried out, are moves by the community in the right direction.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details


Federal? State and


ideas for control

Paragraph I think that education pamphlets,

produced by the Australian Nature Conservation agency, provide valuable information to the community regarding the real problems caused by cats. The use of radio and television, as has occurred with the “be a responsible dog owner” campaign, would be extremely helpful in alerting people to the problem of stray cats and unwanted litters. Sometimes many in the community reel in horror as a person’s rights are infringed if a dog barks, but benignly accept the cuddly cat roaming at will, destroying our natives species.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details


Federal? State and


ideas for control

Paragraph I would support such moves as: All homes to be restricted to an

ownership of two cats. All pet cats to be registered with

microchip identification and sterilized before they reach reproductive maturity, unless they are with a registered breeder.

Registered breeders to be controlled and monitored by appropriate authorities.

An active campaign of eradication of feral cats in the wild to be implemented. The cats to be destroyed in a quick and painless procedure.




against Manage-

ment of the issue

Conclusion

Plan details

Summary of key points

Paragraph In summary, community awareness

and moves have begun in alerting people to the real dangers that cats pose to native species, but I don't believe it has gone anywhere near enough. We need to take more responsibility in not just caring for ourselves but in considering the impacts of our lifestyle and actions on the environment and the other species that live with.

how to write a human awareness essay

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