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The listening exercises in Business Spotlight Übungsheft (p. 5) are based on the article “Working cats” (Names & News, p. 9). Here, we provide you with the audio file and transcript.
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Working cats
From sheepdogSchäferhundsheepdogs to draught horseZugpferddraught horses, there’s a long tradition of animals working on farms. However, one type of working animal is often overlooked: cats. A new study in eastern Australia shows that modern dairy farmerMilchbauer/-bäuerindairy farmers in the region say working cats are essential for pestSchädlingpest control.
Two recent developments have made cats even more important. One is that climate change tends to increase the activity of rodentNagetierrodents and other pests. The other is farmers’ growing dependence on technology. Researcher Olivia Forge, who co-author sth.etw. mitverfassenco-authored the study, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: “It take sth.hier: etw. brauchen, erforderntakes one rat to chew through a wire on one of these all-electronic dairyMilchbetriebdairies and production is closed down.”
The researchers want the government to allow tax deductionSteuernachlasstax deductions for the costs of keeping working cats — something that’s already possible for farmers in Britain and the US. The proper management of cats would also help to protect Australia’s native wildlife because desexed (Aus.)sterilisiertdesexed cats roamumherstreifen, streunenroam less, reducing the threat they posedarstellenpose to other animals.