02-27-2011 at 8:21 PM

I find it interesting that many of you who let yours cats outside do so because you live in a safe area and don't believe they will come to harm, but haven't mentioned the harm they themselves cause. <br /> <br /> As Nathaniel said - many birds are in decline and this is partially due to the hunting of the local moggies. When a cat kills a bird, it's not just that one bird that is lost. Many birds mate for an entire season or longer, and share the duties of raising young. When your cat kills a bird, that bird's chicks and mate may die too.<br /> <br /> I'm raising a baby possum at the moment who was orphaned because of a cat attack - the cat killed his mother and then played with him. He has puncture marks on his head, his eye was only just missed. Now as much as I love him, I would much rather these wild babies be in the wild, with their mothers, learning how to be possums.

02-27-2011 at 7:41 PM

I suppose you are right, Nath - however... My community is full of cat people who let their kitties roam... And honestly, I don't think that'a about to change.<br /> <br /> My mom wants to rescue a kitten or two sometime within the next few months and I honestly don't think she'll support the idea of keeping them inside all the time. Old habits die hard and while I don't totally support the whole letting your cats roam wherever they please business, my mother is one of those people that won't change their mind on anything. ._.<br /> <br /> I will bring it up with her though, because the least I can do is try to be a part of the solution and not the problem.<br /> <br /> I'll also do some research into what damage outdoor cats around my area do, and see if the good really does outweigh the bad like I think it does.<br /> <br /> :)

02-27-2011 at 7:08 PM

<i>As far as I'm concerned, as long as your pets are not destroying anything or hurting anyone, them being outside is not a big deal, though I do know of certain situations where cats have caused problems.</i><br /> <br /> Cats are one of the number one factors in the declining numbers of certain migratory songbirds that are actually protected by law. So it's not that easy. You can't simply say "my area doesn't have a problem with cats going outside," because you might not see the problems they're causing. Once those flocks of birds migrate, however, their numbers are studied, and many of them are falling in numbers.<br /> <br /> It's not just the effect the cats have on their surroundings, though. There are cars, wild animals, and all kinds of other hazards cats face once they're outside and cannot be supervised. You say there is no rat poison in your city, but how can you be sure your neighbor or their neighbor or their neighbor hasn't placed some down? I'm sure it's still readily available at the store.<br /> <br /> Aside from all that, the fact remains, you cannot protect your pet from that which you cannot see. If he/she is out of your sight and not contained safely, your job as pet owner is not 100% complete.

02-27-2011 at 2:45 PM

Hmm... This is a tough one. I think it really all depends on where you live and what sort of circumstances you live under. <br /> <br /> I had cats, and they were allowed outside whenever they pleased - though they rarely left the confines of our backyard. They would sit atop the fence and relax there - usually that is where they stayed and we never had problems with them.<br /> <br /> Also, if cats around here were not let out to roam, our local rat problem would be a lot worse than it is. <br /> <br /> I live near Vancouver BC in a small town and there aren't very many strays here at all. Most of the shelters are MUCH more crowded with surrendered/stray dogs than they are with cats.<br /> <br /> I am not against letting your cats outside so long as they are spayed/neutered and stay relatively close to home. As I said, my cats knew their bounds and rarely left the yard.<br /> <br /> As far as I'm concerned, as long as your pets are not destroying anything or hurting anyone, them being outside is not a big deal, though I do know of certain situations where cats have caused problems.<br /> <br /> In my town, though, we've managed to keep rat poison out of the area - all thanks to the kitties. :)

02-27-2011 at 12:10 PM

Outdoor cats are bad for another reason as well. Moon, I specifically would like to point out to you, as a New Zealander, than allowing your cats to roam can do serious damage to local wildlife. Stray/feral/roaming cats are what decimated the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakapo">Kakapo</a> population, originally, and it's an increasing issue for many rare bird, small mammal, and even reptile species.

02-27-2011 at 2:09 AM

I have two in/out door cats.<br /> I live in NZ and most if not all of our cats here live outside mostly.We have collars for cats with a jungle bell,ID tag and Breakaway Buckle.We don't have issues with cats being harmed here.So I think that it depends what country you are in, as there is a lower risk of your cat being harmed in NZ.

02-26-2011 at 8:38 PM

I do not think cats should be aloud to roam, no domesticated animal should be allowed to.<br /> If you let them roam you have no control over what they do,what happens, or what someone else does.<br /> <br /> My cat goes outside rarely and ONLY when on a leash. Yes, my cat walks on a leash. It's not hard, just takes effort.<br /> <br /> If all owners were responsible...We wouldn't have so many problems with domesticated animals.

02-26-2011 at 2:31 PM

Telling someone that a cat can never go outdoors is like telling someone that their dog can never go outdoors, I find it horrible that some cats never even get to see what it's like outside. That though is not what I'm telling: GO LET YOUR CATS OUT :D.<br /> <br /> I think people get the idea that you can't walk a cat like a dog, well you can and I'd love to see people do it. I've also seen people with de-clawed cats (like me) who have a fenced in area around their house or backyard which they let their cat roam in under supervision or such. I also saw a man who built a large wired (flat bottom) cage that leads from the house into the yard for their cat to go in, it was a neat idea that the cat goes outside without being able to roam. <br /> <br /> Though I don't support cats roaming, where I live we don't have strays. The winter is so cold they either all die or find homes. Not once have I seen a stray before I think. Some people let their cats "roam" around their yard or street and though I've heard cats getting lost I haven't heard of one causing problems or getting killed by dogs/cars. So what I'm saying is that in some places of the world, it's not much of a problem where as in .. China or Austrailia it is. At lot of people let their cats outside here and it's never been a problem but still I encourage walking your cat, having a section outside for them you can watch, or even putting them on a rope outside to walk around in circles.<br /> <br /> My cat is de-clawed and since she is -too fat- to climb fences anymore (trust me I've seen her, it's really funny) we let her around in the backyard which is fenced in, we haven't had any problems with her getting out before. Sometimes I walk her too.

02-26-2011 at 1:03 PM

I'm verrrryy very against letting cats roam. I don't care if the cat is coming back at night and scratching at the door, it shouldn't be out there in the first place.<br>I'm no stranger to stray cats, my city has a bad stray cat problem and that's definitely what they are.. a problem. They come and rip open my garbage, defecate and urinate on my couches and furniture outside, goad my cats into trying to fight them through the glass and they bring along unwanted litters.<br>I don't like seeing pet cats come to my door crying for food or warmth, especially because it's winter now and I had one come to my door the other day :I... with no tag, either, so I had no idea who he/she belonged to. I could do nothing but wish it good luck. How can someone do that? Cats aren't these magical creatures that can't feel cold or hunger, they're out there all night with cold feet and no way to open doors to get back inside. Cat doors would be a good idea in this case but I doubt owners leave the things unlocked at night, what with things like raccoons running around looking for food.<br>Around my neighbourhood, people like to feed cats regularly as if they're their own cat.. so I find no confidence in <i>"he knows his way home"</i>, so I end up spending the $30 to bring someone's pet cat into the shelter because they let it roam without a tag on :I<br>My cat got loose once and we couldn't find him, turns out he was sitting on top of some lady's car and the only way we got him back was because he had a tag on him. I can't imagine how I'd feel to find out some kid had been using him as target practice or if someone's dog got out.<br>Ehhh I guess I'm rambling now. Bottom line is, there should be no <i>"in/outdoor"</i> or <i>"outdoor"</i> cats. Either put your cat on a leash/harness or put him in a cat run or face the consequences of your cat living outdoors.