I know the lady who is petitioning personally and believe me, it's real. Why is it not ok compared to other animals? Well...
... some of the cats are actually the neighbours' rather than property of the "fur trader"
... farmers refuse to sterilise their cats, very probably because of such things as the opportunity to earn money with the fur. The vets do offer to give them a special rate, to no avail. This can become a problem for the "loved moggies" as these "future fur" cats don't get vaccines etc.
... the cats are not killed in a standardised way, so a lot of cruelty goes on
Those are three fairly "neutral" reasons, minus the emotional aspect of it all. I almost had a fit when I read about it, especially as it's complete nonsense, no medical background at all. Apart from the placebo effect of course.
Back to the petitioner(s), they are Tomi and Elisabeth, who opened SOS Chats in the 1980s and devote their entire lives to the kitties. They are also strict vegetarians, so they certainly have the right to get up in arms about it all. I don't agree with EVERYTHING they do or say, but the home they run is a good idea. Basically it's a old people's home/sanatorium for cats who have had it rough and nobody really wanted, they get to spend the rest of their days with load of other kitties and are not put to sleep unless it is absolutely inevitable. If you want to see pictures,
there are some here.
[/soapbox]