Would you eat Australian feral cat stew?

The BBC news web site has an article that Aussies are being encouraged to eat feral cats which are devastating Australian indigenous wildlife. Aborigines eat cats. They roast them on sticks over open fires like they do other small game.

There is no doubt that eating more feral cats would be good for the environment. A citizen of Alice Springs won a recent cook off with a feral cat stew that reminds me of the squirrel stews we used to make back home.

I liked squirrel stew. But could I eat cat stew? I don't know. I am deeply attached to my little feline pets. Could I eat a member of the same species? Well if I were starving I could. But otherwise? Could you? Any other proposals to limit feral cats and save the other species?

Ferral cats are a problem but I'd rather keep them in check by other methods.

It is way past April 1st, would you mind quoting the source of this story.

How is it prepared?? Does it come with fava beans?

Ewwwww! I don't think so.

We put tomato sauce on everything.

Had some on the salad tonight, just squeeze some on those beans and a lot more on the stew.

mamiecarter said:

Any other proposals to limit feral cats and save the other species?

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I've heard of programs where they trap feral cats, neuter them, and then return them to the "wild." This supposedly cuts down on the future populations.

Am curious as to what wildlife is being "devastated?" Around here, the cats hunt rodents and birds. The cats aren't large enough to threaten anything larger.

No, I don't think I'd like to eat feral anything. Don't even like venison.

I know, I know....it tastes like chicken!

Rose Pink said:

I've heard of programs where they trap feral cats, neuter them, and then return them to the "wild." This supposedly cuts down on the future populations.

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They had such a program in Milwaukee a few years ago.

Here's the link to the story. Eating wild cat stew certainly wouldn't bother me as long as it tasted good.
I think we are far to fast to associated fluffy pets with wild animals. Many people will happily eat rabbit meat, but gag at the thought of cat, why??
I've eaten donkey soup in Greece and thoroughly enjoyed it. My wife was also enjoying hers until she knew what it was

No way! No cat, feral or otherwise.
Connie

When skinned it is very hard to tell cat from rabbit being one of the reasons they leave a thummper on the rabbit. Why do i know this as i don't eat either maybe i just made it up to start an urban legend lol skin one and see.

grest said:

No way! No cat, feral or otherwise.
Connie

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Why? What is the aversion, assuming you're not a vegetarian?
People wouldn't eat their pet parrot but eat chicken, so what's the difference? If there's a demand I might even start collecting the local cats that leave their 'calling cards' on my lawns.

I personally would avoid it, as any cat we had was pretty fat and lazy, meat wouldn't be that great anyway (and it would also be too much of a mental picture to do).

However, this is a big world, some examples of non-western dining:

1) The few remaining indiginous tribes of Brazil love eating those 3 inch long bugs they have. They are high in protein.
2) The Chinese waste no part of an animal. Chicken feet, when stewed for hours, are a staple. Next visit to NYC, get some from the breakfast cart located on Canal Street at the #6 subway stop. Or you can try some stewed tripe (intestines). Great breakfast food from Canton. (I did try a chickens foot once on a dare at a dim sum place in Chinatown. The other person had to buy my lunch. Tasted like stewed nothing but the little bones are a pain (no joke).
3) The chinese also consider fresh raw monkey brain the ultimate delicacy, only the wealthy can afford this. They also eat dog (again expensive, only for holidays.
4) The Vietnamese and Thai people love frogs legs in lemon grass (interesting spice). Kills me to think of all those parapelegic frogs in the wheelchairs afterwards.

And most disgusting to one billion Indians (from India)...McDonalds...the cow is a sacred animal and worshipped as a divine being in the Hindu faith.

No thank you. I make it a policy to not eat what I consider domesticated animals. So I'll also take a pass on Parakete Pate and Canine Casserole.

By the way, I did have an opportunity to try deep fried chicken feet. There was so little meat, it was not worth the effort.

How Do We Know ?

Kal said:

I know....it tastes like chicken!

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What would Frank Perdue & Gen. Tso say about that ?

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

To Each His Or Her Own.

geekette said:

I make it a policy to not eat what I consider domesticated animals.

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Shucks, my policy is 180 degrees the other way.

That is to say, I will eat only domesticated animals -- pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, turkeys, farmed catfish, farmed salmon, farmed shrimp, etc.

The others out there in the woods & the fields & the skies & the oceans & the lakes are just minding their own business & hurting nobody. Why should I hook & net & shoot & eat those when there are plenty others just as good to eat ( -- better, some folks say -- ) raised on farms specially for the purpose?

But no cats & no dogs in any case -- not farmed, not feral, not any kind.

Woof.

Meow.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

johnmfaeth said:

And most disgusting to one billion Indians (from India)...McDonalds...the cow is a sacred animal and worshipped as a divine being in the Hindu faith.

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John, The India McDonald's all have meatless burgers.


Richard

Hi Richard,

I had heard that they didn't use beef, makes sense that they are vegetarian. So I guess White Castles, Krystal's and Philly Cheesesteak joints are right out...

John

PS. So is the McCat sandwich next anywhere?

PPS. They are still dismayed at McDonald's elsewhere

AwayWeGo said:

That is to say, I will eat only domesticated animals -- pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, turkeys, farmed catfish, farmed salmon, farmed shrimp, etc.

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We just define "domesticated" differently. I consider a domesticated animal to be one I would share my home with and treat as part of my family. Animals raised to be meals I don't consider as "my kids"

johnmfaeth said:

....PS. So is the McCat sandwich next anywhere?...

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YUMMMMMM....and with a special sauce and maybe a glass of Chianti, BON APPETITE

No.

No kitty soup for me.


Charles

DH says the best hamburger he ever had was in Spain and it was made from horse meat. My FIL ate dog while in the Phillipines although he didn't know it at the time. It is interesting what different cultures find acceptable and appetizing. I prefer my bunnies made from chocolate.

A Question Of Survival.

geekette said:

Animals raised to be meals I don't consider as "my kids"

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I feel most fortunate not to be living under dire straits -- that is, not to be facing a sitution where, for survival, it's either Fido or me.

In that extreme case, however -- even though it's against my tastes & something I'd never order off anybody's menu -- I'll be willing to chow down on Fido.

That said, when it came time to start supper preparations, I would be extra careful not to make eye contact.

Woof.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

MULTIZ321 said:

John, The India McDonald's all have meatless burgers.


Richard

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Nothing new there. I didn't think there was anything that could be classified as genuine meat in any McD burgers.

Keitht said:

Why? What is the aversion, assuming you're not a vegetarian?
People wouldn't eat their pet parrot but eat chicken, so what's the difference? If there's a demand I might even start collecting the local cats that leave their 'calling cards' on my lawns.

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Cats are pets...my mindset can't shake that thought! I never had a pet chicken. I've had cats, and they have had names..just can't do it!

Connie