Animal rights for pets seems like an oxy moron. Animal slaves (pets) don't have any real rights like autonomy or privacy.

Would you support pigeon feeding stations in your city? The idea of pigeon feeders is to move them from areas where they are not welcome and prevent rats/ rodents in general from eating the food intended for wild birds. Also, keeping the birds for those tourists who think feeding pigeons is something to do while visiting cities. (I'd skip it).

I don't think there are parrots and other exotic pet type of birds living in Toronto. I know I haven't seen any in Barrie, where I live now. Could they migrate this north and live through the winters? Winters are milder overall but one good, cold snap could be too much for birds used to a southern climate.

The Parrot Sanctuary (Toronto) From what I read the birds are from people who had them as exotic pets. So, parrots and other exotic birds are still not able to survive winters north of New York.

Brooklyn Parrots - about a non-native species which is surviving and doing well, without causing problems for the native environment. Or at least merging with the existing pigeon population and not causing more trouble than the pigeons.

The site has a wild parrot FAQ, intended for the local, New York area.

The Monk Parakeet, also known as the Quaker Parrot, is an adaptable, hardy bird from South America noted for its intelligence, sociability, creative approach to nest-building, and general resourcefulness. They were first detected in the wild in New York City in the late 1960s, and continue to be seen around Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and occasionally in Manhattan.

For more than 40 years, the birds have survived on New York’s tough streets, weathering tornadoes, hurricanes, and a multitude of predators — both avian and human. Populations have come and gone in New York City, and this will likely recur as urban habitats change.

Monk parakeets are considered by some scientists to be an example of “charismatic megafauna” whose ability to charm humans helps keep them alive and viable as a species.

I see quite a few video posts of (not stray or feral) cats having kittens. There is their cat having 3 to 7, or more kittens. They fuss over the cat and go on about what they have bought and done to make it all easier for her. Mostly as if the cat can't do anything without people. Babying an animal, grown and mature enough to get pregnant and have babies of its own. They weigh and check the health of each kitten after its born. Fondling them, petting them, holding them every which way for the camera. Aww, what great cat parents (grandparents?) so caring...

No, it's not!

Allowing your cat, or other pet, to have kittens so you can play with little balls of fluff is just selfish and irresponsible. Letting/ making your pet have a litter of kittens when it did not need to and (if you could have asked) probably didn't really want to is something pet hoarders do. There is nothing caring about adding to the overpopulation of unwanted pets.

Even if you manage to find real, "forever" homes for all of those kittens, at least for now. That means just as many existing kittens already born in foster homes, shelters, on the street to other cats, could have had those homes instead. We are not lacking in kittens, feral or otherwise. We do not need kittens born to a good home looking for another home where they can become adult and mature animals. They don't stay cute little kittens for long.

Do not assume everyone watching your cat birth videos thinks they are cute. Even a commercial cat breeder should make sure all kittens born are wanted by someone able to guarantee their purchase. I expect some, in demand breeds, have a waiting list. Your pet cat, however lovely, friendly and clever, is not in demand, not guaranteed a good home.

Get your pet spayed or neutered before they have kittens, puppies, etc.

It's not soft and cuddly, does it purr? Why is pink the preferred colour? I think it would end up in a drawer or lost in the closet after awhile. Still, the idea for robot pets is out there and they aren't as expensive as I thought. Source for image.

A houseplant might still be better for companionship. Unless its a fake plant. I don't have the feeling of something alive from the plastic robot kitten, even though it is kind of cute. Some things can only come from reality. I wonder if robots, artificial intelligence, or whatever comes next will ever be able to build that feeling of connecting with something else alive, living and having real feelings?

I like that its simulating a cat, not trying to be life like. There are life like looking cats too but I'd be really disappointed once the fur starts to get matted, or falling out, or whatever might happen to it over time.

There are cat simulation games. Not the same and yet possibly more convenient. But, if I'm having a desktop, virtual cat, I don't want one that will die if I don't feed it every day. A virtual cat should just be there when I want it, not needing me for anything. It's not real after all.

Is a fake pet convenient for those who don't want to deal with emotional or physical needs of another person, animal, or even a plant? Would a pet rock be just as good? A rock would have endless patience and could be kept warm for whenever you pick it up.

It all depends on what a person is really looking for in a pet? Is it a caring companion, do you want to be it's parent, or do you just want something alive there when you come home?

My Grandfather's Cat. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

A registered Canadian charity that helps seniors and terminally ill people feed and arrange new homes for their pets.

A lovely idea but some of the older cats might be sick or not fit into a new home so easily. That would make the job a lot harder. Still, it gives them an option better than putting them to sleep or whatever people do with an old cat when the owner is gone.