Comments on: Kitten demand exceeds supply

By: Mindy

Mindy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:16:38 +0000

haha this is so funny. I was just joking with a friend how I wanted a kitten but hated cats and would have it killed if it reached the age (sick humor I know.)

By: Did you see the one about . . . « Homepaddock

Did you see the one about . . . « Homepaddock — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:58:44 +0000

[...] Kitten demand exceeds supply – The Visible Hand applies economic theory to the pet market. [...]

By: Minneapolis Duct Cleaning

Minneapolis Duct Cleaning — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:41 +0000

That might work well in your country, but here in Minneapolis, MN $50 to a retired person is way more money than $200 to a working couple.

By: Freeview Recorder

Freeview Recorder — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:07:27 +0000

If you increase the price of kittens you face the danger of creating a kitten ‘black market’ and all the dangers that poses – for example are you willing to pay an increase in taxes for extra police patrols to catch kitten kidnappers ?

By: fibby

fibby — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:49:56 +0000

That’s just fabulous, I love it!

By: Dismalsoyanz

Dismalsoyanz — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:45:37 +0000

@fibby I think rather than a forward price per se, an option market would be better [yes - I know an option is just a bundle of forwards but try explaining that to your average feline fancier]. Sell to prospective buyers a call option to buy a kitten at a predetermined price.

By: Bill Bennett

Bill Bennett — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:30:39 +0000

My immediate neighbourhood has a surfeit of cats. They continually battle with each other in order to gain access to resources. Would a feline economist be available to design an optimal allocation or shall we just leave it to market forces?

By: fibby

fibby — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:27:58 +0000

The article suggests there is no shortage of kittens, only of kittens old enough to be adopted. By allowing people to pay for their too-young kittens in advance, the SPCA could create a futures market for kittens, allowing some of the excess demand pressure to be diverted into the futures curve. Then the spot price would only have to respond to demand from the most impatient consumers, potentially meaning a less volatile adjustment.

By: Kris - the gift basket specialist

Kris - the gift basket specialist — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:53:50 +0000

I agree, only people who can take care of an animal deserve an animal. The price of a cat might need to be more in order to find GOOD homes for pets. We dont want there to be too many cats or they will all be ill treated. With less of a supply cats will be more treasured. Just a view.