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Dae
#7 • 82179 views
Posted: 2011-02-26 09:34:55
#6748
Outdoor cats
I thought this might be an interesting one for Alacrity, as I assume most of us are animal lovers. What do you guys think about cats being allowed to roam free outside?
For me, personally, I am very much against it. I believe that cat owners should install cat runs if they wish to let their cats outside.
I am a wildlife carer and here in Australia cats are a serious threat to our natives. Almost every bird I've had come in due to cat attack has died shortly thereafter, and that's not even touching on those that die prolonged and painful deaths in the bush. All cats hunt, it is natural for them to do so. People who don't believe their cats are hunting are fooling themselves.
Furthermore, it is much safer for a cat to be kept indoors or in an enclosed outdoor area like a cat run. How many cats are run over by cars, abused by humans or attacked by other cats and dogs every year? How many unwanted litters of kittens are born to roaming cats?
Note that I do not hate cats. They are just doing what comes naturally to them. I blame the owners as it is their responsibility to manage their animals. (Also, I am not limiting this to just cats. I believe dogs should be kept confined too. However most dogs are kept in secure backyards and thus present no problem.)
Thoughts?
Replies
Steaks
#103215 • 2012-05-23 11:33:51
#103215
The only time my cats get outside is if they are on a leash or in the big dog cage on the porch with me
Tiger
#103213 • 2012-05-23 11:04:42
#103213
Mine WANT to be outside too(they use to be indoor outdoor when I lived with my mom)! They get some supervised time out on my balcony on my days off.
BUT TIGERRRR.<br /> My cat WANTS to be outside!! :(<br /> <br /> my dad once started up his car and didn't know there was a cat in there... needless it say it ran down the street missing half of a vital organ. No idea how it even got that far.
Redrose
#103193 • 2012-05-22 20:30:25
#103193
I understand completely. Accidents happen. Exactly why I said I would have an indoor cat. I understand what you're saying, accidents happen, all the time. However, i do, also, understand why people would let their cat roam. Not that I would. I think cats should be indoors....but i wouldn't freak out on someone for having an outdoor cat either. idk, I don't really know how to explain how i feel about outdoor cats, personally i think they SHOULD be indoors but if someone chooses to have an outdoor cat, so be it. (it's their choice) I'm not trying to sound like a bad pet owner or anything. Sorry if im coming off as that.
Tiger
#103184 • 2012-05-22 20:09:59
#103184
Just because you didn't see it happen doesn't mean it wont. No cat's aren't stupid but they also don't understand the dangers of human technology or bad humans for that matter. Volunteer at an emergency vet clinic and you'll see the dangers. My clinic isn't even an "emergency" clinic and i see it all the time!
Redrose
#103160 • 2012-05-22 16:34:28
#103160
I understand that accidents can happen. I guess my opinon is based on how I've never seen anthing bad happen to the cats that were alowed oudoors where i use to live. (And there were a ton of cats roaming there)<br /> And I'm not saying, your cat (or any other cat) should be outdoors anyway. I just wanted to state that cats aren't that stupid (usually), they can and will find their way home (well obvioulsy unless something like that happend )<br /> <br /> I'm sorry it's my opinion. I dont mean to sound like an aweful person for saying that, but its just what I believe.
Tiger
#103158 • 2012-05-22 14:15:56
#103158
These 3 pictures are from two different cats who were allowed to outdoors.<br /> <br /> <a href=http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/Tigerjody/Cats/Work/Lrear.jpg>X-ray 1</a><br /> <a href=http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/Tigerjody/Cats/Work/Lfront.jpg>X-ray #2 same cat</a><br /> <br /> <a href=http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/Tigerjody/Cats/Work/120203_0000.jpg>VERY GRAPHIC</a> cat #2<br /> <br /> Cat #1 lost her back leg and had to wear a splint on her front (both the same side) for 6 weeks.<br /> <br /> Cat #2, that hole is where her arm USE to be. we had to go in and remove the remining 1" of her Humerus, clean it up and hope we got all the infection out<br /> <br /> Both cats were the result of being outdoors and finding a nice warm engine to sleep on...<br /> <br /> We also recently put a kitten down who was attacked by a dog. IDK how many Hit By Car kitties we get along with many other problems...<br /> <br /> Now explain to me how "cats are very independent creatures, they can and will find their way home." helped those cats?
Redrose
#103133 • 2012-05-21 21:09:27
#103133
@Clayton: I agree, yes, a cat could get into a bit of trouble. Like i'm not saying I would want my cat (if i had one) to get out, but i just realise that it's not the end of the world if a cat gets out. because people here usually keep there dogs indoors anyway. Also as I said before cats are very independent creatures, they can and will find their way home. <br /> <br /> But yeah, I wouldn't willingly let my cat out to roam (again, If i had one). I understand that it is a pain for other people and a cat could get into trouble.
Steaks
#103132 • 2012-05-21 20:50:33
#103132
I would freak out if my cats got outdoors, because they won't hesitate to chase squirrels and the squirrels around here get mange an awful lot. Not to mention, my male won't hesitate to attack wild animals and he could get diseases.<br /> <br /> Plus, if someone's dog escapes.. my cat has no possible chance at "defending himself" against a dog that wants to play with a cat like a ragdoll. Just being realistic here.
Well, I think letting a cat roam is "fine" (for the cat and owner anyway) even though there are some good reasons to keep your cat indoors. I mean, if I had a cat it would be an indoor cat but if he/she somehow got out I wouldn't freak out about it bacuase I understand that cats aren't "helpless" animals, and they can find their way home. <br /> <br /> Back when I was younger I would always see cats (and sometimes dog, oh no) running around without an owner, they never got lost or hurt (that I know of). what I'm trying to say is, cats are very independent animals, if they are given some freedoms (like roaming the neighborhood) they could probebly handle it.<br /> ----------<br /> However I realise the downside to outdoor cats. Like first off, I like to know where my pets are, I want to know they are safe. Also what whould the neighbors think? Well, trust me, I know.....cuz when i was younger [as i said] cats roamed all around the neighborhood. Cat's whould constantly be in our yards. And half the time the cats would dig up the gardens and kill our fish!!! And this was when i was really little, I still remember, we had outdooor like pond fish and this cat would always come around and kill our fish, I was heartbroken.....they dug up my mom's flowers and plus my mom was allergic, that's not good considering she couldn't get the cats out when they were ruining her flowers. <br /> <br /> Also, as a little kid with unknown cats roaming around, i got scared a few times. This one time at my friends house me and my friend realised this cat we've never seen before in her yard.....we were so freaked out, what if he was rabbid, what if he bit us, etc. We didn't know what to do because if we ran he would have chased us (and definatly caught us). <br /> <br /> Plus I even get hissed at by a cat in my yard....it's like it's my yard cat, you don't tell me to get out of my yard... =.= <br /> <br /> Some people.. i don't understand. don't they realise what their cat could be doing to other people, their pets, and their yards? <br /> <br /> So people should just keep their cat indoors.
