SJ L2 2014 - Cats - Who needs them?

WALT understand both sides of the cat debate and make our own decisions from what we read.

Activity 1
Use the article to answer the following questions:       

1. How many pet cats are there in New Zealand?We have nearly 1.5 million of them.
2. Why do some people want to get rid of cats from New Zealand?they eat native birds and lizards and insects
3. What are the three kinds of cats according to the law?– companion
cats, stray (or colony) cats, and feral cats.
4. Why might a cat become stray? The oners not care about their cats.
5. What uses do cats have? They catch mice and rats!!

Activity 2
Complete the cloze activity using the words in the box.
HINT - Highlight the word once you’ve used it.

collar    feral    microchip  popular protect neutered    birds  endangered 

Cats are one of New Zealand’s most popular pets.  They provide company and comfort to many people, but they can also be killers.  They catch small animals, and birds and don’t care if the bird is a common sparrow or an endangered black robin. There are three kinds of cats; companion cats, stray cats and feral cats. People have thought of many other ways to help protect our native birds and animals from cats.   One idea is to put a  microchip which contains all the owner’s details in all cats.  This means that if someone finds a lost cat it can be returned home and will not become part of the stray cat population.  Other ideas are keeping cats indoors when possible; having neutered cats  to stop them having too many kittens; putting a collar and bell on every cat and making sure all cats are well-fed and cared for.

Activity 3
Has this article changed the way you think about cats?
Write 2-3 sentences to explain what you’re thinking.
I think you need to take care of them or they will become stray. I still think my cat is a killer because he took in a rat and swallowed it and there was rat poop everywhere.