Indoor vs. Outdoor cats and world perspective
I am cutting and pasting this from another web forum I frequent. There was some debate about letting domesticated cats outside, and this came up from a woman who has a PH D in the environmental science field:
Please keep in mind that you can be fined 10,000 for letting your cat eat a
migratory bird per the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. I am sorry that you value the
freedom of your domestic cat over the lives of the native wildlife of our
region. Many of the birds in your yard and neighbors yards are migratory birds.
And you are knowingly breaking the law.
I do feel that anyone that lets their cats out is irresponsible. I know that is
a strong statement, but letting your cats out with such strong scientific
evidence from multiple countries is very strong evidence of the degree of the
problem. I have a M.S. and a Ph.D. relating to issues affecting wildlife
populations, particularly birds. I am not writing on this issue with a lack of
background. I have provided ample references and you choose not to read and
understand the material. I hope you take the time to think about this issue for
a larger perspective then you currently exhibit.
Have you ever though about the deadly parasites your cat gets from eating
wildlife? Maybe you should talk with some zoo officials in charge of feeding
large cats. They are not given freshly killed wildlife or allowed to kill their
own food because of the potential dangers to the cats.
How about the effects of cats peeing in children's sandboxes?
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/ZoonoticDisease.html
I also have written Ingles and encouraged them to charge for plastic bags. The
US lags behind in many environmental issues. We as a nation have a lot to learn
from other countries that are doing much better. Please keep in mind that you
are bring up many other issues to justify your irresponsibility over the cats
you choose to take on as pets. These are important issues, but they do not take
away importance from the environmental damage free-ranging domesticated cats do
to our world.
Just wondering what you might think about this. I am starting to fall in the category of thinking that pet ownership is not necessarily a good thing. On the other hand, humans have been so irresponsible and let the populations of dogs and cats get out of control, so it might be the right thing to do to give one a home. I'm torn. Although I am pretty sure when my cat dies, I will not get another.
I tried to put a leash on Cat. Once. He velcro-ed himself to the floor and look at me with deep, deep disgust.
:)>>> :cat2:
hh, I think if I'd have known Cat, I would have loved him too.
If I had a cat, it would be indoors only
I think you would have, shell.
And, yes, mdv. He also didn't like overt displays of affection, but he was so cutely offended that he got picked up and kissed after the leash came off.
Wow this is really interesting to me... here in NZ I don't think I have ever encountered "inside cats". Maybe it happens, but every domestic cat I have ever known has been allowed inside and outside and was free to move around of their own free will.
So it seems very strange to me to keep a cat indoors for its entire life. The points made about the benefits of that are interesting to read though.
I live on a very busy street so I don't let my cat out. My last cat snuck out and got hit by a car.
I bought a cat leash and take her on walks sometimes.....people think I'm crazy! :D
Sad update. My mom found her cat Gary dead outside this afternoon. He wasn't ran over or attacked (seemingly) and he was only 12 years old. They suspect antifreeze or rat poison. :'(
Aww, that's really sad!
On a side note, something that disgusts me - my coworkers told me (when I first started and they knew nothing about me) that they put antifreeze out for the cats! I was so sickened by this! They looked at me like I was the crazy one; like I am the freak!
MDV I am so so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Sad update. My mom found her cat Gary dead outside this afternoon. He wasn't ran over or attacked (seemingly) and he was only 12 years old. They suspect antifreeze or rat poison. :'(
How terrible; I'm so sorry. Is it possible that he had a heart attack? Simpkin was just diagnosed with heart disease that is apparently pretty common in cats (she's only 7). Our vet said that he had recently lost a cat that he'd found in a similar fashion and his cause of death was a heart attack.
In any case, I am so sorry for your loss and I'm sending good energy her way.
whoa! I just came across this thread and I'm sorry for the timing because I'm already in a grumpy mood & developing a headache.
I do understand why some people think letting their cats out is a good idea, but my opinion on this topic is that it is best for cats to remain indoors. I feel very strongly about this, but will get into detail later after I feel better. I can't handle a serious debat right now.
I'm late as usual ::) but I'll add my 2 cents. I have 3 cats, they are indoor cats, I have taken them outside at different times, but they prefer to remain indoors.I have a big picture window in my livingroom, and the sofa is in front of it. The cats perch themselves ontop of the sofa and look out the window at the birds, people, whatever is going on outside.they seen perfectly content Prissy is 13, Tubby is 10 and Wiggles is 2. I also have a black lab Jordan, who is 2...He gets walked 3 times a day, my yard is not fenced, so he has to go out on a leash.
my cats used to be indoor only but they were so miserable and getting overweight. We decided to make them indoor/outdoor cats and they are happier and healthier.
I do get concerned about whether they'll be safe, and I know I'd be so upset if anything ever happened to them
Letting them out is a big risk, but on the other hand I don't think it is fair for me to deny them the ability to climb and scratch and run and feel sunshine for their entire lives.
I have taken them outside at different times, but they prefer to remain indoors.
my cats used to be indoor only but they were so miserable
Did they start life as indoor or outdoor cats? I think that's where the preference for the cat is set.
no they all started as strays as kittens. they kind of just come and go as they please throughout the day, then at night they come in.
I have taken them outside at different times, but they prefer to remain indoors.
my cats used to be indoor only but they were so miserable
Did they start life as indoor or outdoor cats? I think that's where the preference for the cat is set.
My cats were all indoor cats from the beginning...I think that makes a difference, my wiggles is actually afraid to go outside, I have alot of cat toys, 2 large scratching posts, and they all have a favorite place to hang out, so I know they are happy
yeah... i wanted to keep them indoors for safety and health...but alas.. they want what they want! I do not let them out until they have been vaccinated, up to date shots, and until they are at least 7-8 months old though. and never at night. One of my cats isn't going to be allowed out for a couple weeks soon until I get her rabies shot updated.
my neighbors had a big old tom cat, I use to call him Bubba, when they moved, they left the cat >:D one morning I took the trash outside, and Bubba was laying under the tree...he looked emaciated.. I went inside and got some food and water for him, from that moment on he was King of our yard...he was an outdoor cat, but he never wandered far from our yard, He lived that way for 8 years...I had to have him put to sleep, because he developed Feline aids, and I didn't want him to suffer...He passed while I was holding him...I would have loved to have maken him an indoor cat, but you can't tame the wild creature..if they are use to the outdoors, they will never be happy inside.I miss Bubba, we buried him in the back yard, under his favorite tree, a little marker over his grave...RIP Bubba..You were loved
I don't think there is anything wrong with pet adoption, especially for older animals who would not likely find a home. People created the problem of pet overpopulation with poor breeding and not being responsible in spaying their pets. So I think people have a responsibilty to do something about it if they can.
Personally, I keep my kitty inside. He doesn't have a killer instinct (he's afraid of mice), but I would hate for him to go killing wildlife. I feel personally responsible for any deaths he would cause. Plus, I am terrified of him getting hit by a car, or harrased by cat-hating assholes. He doesn't seem to mind being inside too much, and I try my best to keep him entertained (toys, window access, Cat Sitter videos). Sometimes I feel bad for keeping him in, but overall I think it is for the best.
i'm thinkin about keepin the kitties in for the winter. I'm not sure why...it just feels like the right thing to do. They wouldn't like snow and ice and I'm afraid they'll freak out and be cold cuz they don't want to walk on the snow to come back home.
I've read 90% of this thread, and I still need to state my own opinion.
Being the dreamer that I am, I just cannot fathom forcing an animal to stay inside ALL the time.
You may say that you keep your animal in your house for it's own safety... what? I hope you're not against zoos, then. Because they're both a form of caging. That's like saying we humans shouldn't leave our houses for fear of being hit or hurt. (this is coming from a partial agoraphobic, too.)
If you do it for other creatures safety or fear of it "peeing in sandboxes".. that is nature. These people should cover their sandboxes regardless, because squirrels and raccoons are probably already doing it without them even knowing.
My Jetta (a dog) spends 99% of her time inside, and I already feel terrible about that, because I know she'd enjoy a bit of sight seeing. But we live in an apartment.
Cats in general seem more well-equipped to handle wandering the streets, if only because their size. Which sucks for dogs, I admit.
I want to do a lot of nice things with my life, and it just seems odd for me that I could confine an animal that may have even more dreams than I.
Please no one take offense to this, it wasn't meant rude in the slightest, but it is the way I feel.
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