Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Peggy C on December 29, 2011, 01:25:12 AM

Title: Cats and Earthquakes
Post by: Peggy C on December 29, 2011, 01:25:12 AM

I have a friend whose cousin lives in Christchurch, New Zealand     You have probably heard on the news that the district has suffered a series of very severe earthquakes
The cousin says that  just before the quake strikes her cat goes missing and doesn't return for about 2 days when it is all over.   This is not in character as she is a really homeloving cat.  They live in the suburbs of Christchurch where there are big gardens and open spaces.  She has now found that other cats in the neighbourhood are doing the same thing and a legend has started that they all go together!
The quake last week happened at night so noone saw the cats go but all are now safely home
Isn't it wonderful that cats can predict earthquakes when scientists can't?

Title: Re: Cats and Earthquakes
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on December 29, 2011, 01:42:29 AM

Hope your friends cousin hasn't been too badly affected by the earthquakes  :hug:

I read a similar article about animals fleeing before a tsunami, wasn't this one but something similar http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0104_050104_tsunami_animals_2.html

Title: Re: Cats and Earthquakes
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on December 29, 2011, 03:38:03 AM

Thats really interesting Peggy and hope that your friend and her cat stay safe  :hug: :hug:

Title: Re: Cats and Earthquakes
Post by: emmmy_lou on December 29, 2011, 16:08:41 PM

I got 'the cat whisperer' book for christmas and it says scientists in america study 10,000 animals with the aid of their observers. If they notice them acting peculiar they ring a hotline to earthquake scientists.
They did this in china and in 1975 they evacuated haicheng 24 hours before a massive earthquake devastated the area!
They think it might be due to electric charges in the atmosphere causing changes in the brain, or the sensitivity of cats feet and whiskers to vibrations. They say an earthquake or storm to a cat may be as obvious to a cat as an air raid siren is to us.
It also says in world war II cats would become agitated before sirens went off - very interesting! Hope you and oscar had a nice christmas x

Title: Re: Cats and Earthquakes
Post by: Peggy C on December 30, 2011, 00:25:17 AM

Thank you for that interesting information  My friend from New Zealand is coming over in April so I am hoping fo a detailed account and some pics of the Clever Cat from Christchurch