While I don't agree with alot of what PETA says or does (imho, they often take to the extreme), I've seen quite a few shows on cable (and read books here 'n there) that have proven once domestics can be reintroduced into the wild and survive. Surprisingly, cats can do that quite well, going from domestic to feral and even back to domestic again. I know, as a pet owner (or person who's pets own me?) it's a tad weird to wrap my head around, but knowing where some of my critters have come from, I have the feeling they could survive without me (in the wild).