People who let their cats roam the neighborhood

[Kim&Chris]

We have a woman a few doors down that has, oh, about 10 cats. All appear to be well-fed. My issue is that she allows all of them to roam the neighborhood all day and all night. The cats pee and poop on other people's property, and my cats go crazy growling & hissing at the window when they see these cats roaming around.

But here's what really makes me insane: for the second time this week, I've seen one of her cats dead & bloody in the middle of the road, right in front of the school bus stop. I'm hoping the poor thing didn't actually get killed while the kids were standing there.

I'm going to call Animal Control when I get home from work today. I hate to do this because she'll likely lose some or all of her cats, but hopefully they can be adopted.

How can people be so @#$%^ stupid???!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kath2003]

How is she supposed to STOP her cats roaming the neighbourhood? Cats are cats: they go where they please.

She shouldn't OWN cats if the conditions of the neighbourhood aren't safe for them, but since she does own them, she can't stop them.

 

[mickeyboat]

We have two indoor cats, and during the summer time, they go nuts when they see other cats in our yard. Our screens are all torn up because one cat in particular would attack my cats sitting in the windowsills, and attach iteelf to the outside of the screen. I have no idea where this cat came from, but if I found out, I would make sure the owner paid for the damage.

One reason we never got a sandbox for the kids when they were little is because we were afraid the neighborhood cats would use it for a littler box.

Denae

 

[Kim&Chris]

How is she supposed to STOP her cats roaming the neighbourhood? Cats are cats: they go where they please.

She shouldn't OWN cats if the conditions of the neighbourhood aren't safe for them, but since she does own them, she can't stop them.

She should keep them in her home where they will be safe and warm. I know cats are cats, but to allow them to roam all day and night is irresponsible.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

How is she supposed to STOP her cats roaming the neighbourhood? Cats are cats: they go where they please.

She shouldn't OWN cats if the conditions of the neighbourhood aren't safe for them, but since she does own them, she can't stop them.

by keeping them indoors.


We have a cat who we tried and tried to keep inside. He would cry and cry at the doors / windows to be let out all the time. It got so stressful b/c the kids would try to go outside and we'd all be screaming "watch the cat! watch the cat!" like maniacs.

I finally gave in and let him go outside. I can't control where he goes when he's outside, but if I see him roaming the neighborhood I call him home (of if I'm driving I pick him up) and put him back inside. I don't want our kitty to get hurt in anyway and if he's not home by dark we're outside calling and calling.

 

[TurboKitty]

Actually, here in the states, loads of people have indoor only housecats, as in they do not come and go as they please. My own two dear fuzzballs never set foot outside and live quite safely and contently. I think the OP's own cats are much the same as mine, hence the mention of growling and carrying on when they see other cats within their territory.

OP, do what you think is right. If these kitties keep getting hit by cars, perhaps your neighbor isn't the right owner for them.

 

[Kath2003]

Really? In the UK it's VERY rare for a cat to be kept indoors. Our cat does as he pleases - we have a cat flap so he comes and goes whenever he feels like it.

If someone complains about him pooping somewhere or sitting on the car (actually he only sits on my car), we just place some aluminum foil there. He never goes back.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Actually, here in the states, loads of people have indoor only housecats, as in they do not come and go as they please. My own two dear fuzzballs never set foot outside and live quite safely and contently. I think the OP's own cats are much the same as mine, hence the mention of growling and carrying on when they see other cats within their territory.

OP, do what you think is right. If these kitties keep getting hit by cars, perhaps your neighbor isn't the right owner for them.

Yes, mine are indoor cats as well. One of them was adopted from a shelter, and had been an outdoor cat in her previous life. That all changed when she realized that her new home had a comfy sofa and heat

 

[TurboKitty]

Kath, yes there are some cat owners here who allow their cats to be indoor/outdoor pets and some who have only indoor cats. Because of the devastation to birds and the risk of cars and other wildlife pose to my cats, my family chose to keep our cats as indoor only pets.

I saw your location, and wanted to be sure you knew this before anyone zeroed in on you as a target for simple cultural differences.

 

[Kath2003]

I heard that people keep guinea pigs indoors over there too. Seems the Brits just don't like their pets in the house....

Nah Cosmo goes wherever he wants. We get maybe 1 bird a year and half the time they're alive. He's worse with mice but they're usually alive so we let them go again. He gets into the occasional scrap but hey, it builds character.

 

[shortbun]

Neither I nor my neighbors keep our cats indoors. None of them are totally outdoor cats either. There are dozens of cats in our neighborhood. Mine goes out for about 20 minutes per day, although right now she only puts her nose into the air and runs back into the house. Too cold.

 

[CheshireVal]

When I was a child, my family's cats were all mostly outdoor, and we always lost them to cars and dogs. It was horrible.

Ever since I got my own place and got my own cats, though, I've only kept them indoors. It's just so much safer that way, and they are happy.

 

[oxfordcircus]

My cats want to go outside. It seems instinctual. It seems inhumane for me to keep them in against their will. But it also looks like there's room for opposing opinions on the topic.

 

[Hercules10]

My cats want to go outside. It seems instinctual. It seems inhumane for me to keep them in against their will. But it also looks like there's room for opposing opinions on the topic.

Any animal wants to roam free. That's a primitive instinct. As responsible pet owners we should know what's better for them.

 

[korbbec]

My three are all indoor. We live in a 2nd floor apartment and they have free access to the porch through the slider almost all the time. We only close it when it is stormy out or freezing cold. My youngest cat has caught 2 birds from the porch and brought them in for me. Thats talent. I think the porch thing is a nice balance for them because they still get to enjoy nature, but no one can get them.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Cats roaming the neighborhood at will is my major pet peeve. I do not let my dogs roam to poop and pee in your yard, why should you let your cat do it in mine?

We have a garage but I have seen them lying on peoples car hoods. Yea, thats what I'd want to buy a new car then have a cats claw marks on it from getting on and off the hood.

I had a neighbors cat in my yard , this happened many years ago. My dog who was out at the time went to chase the cat out of HER yard, she stumbled and tore cartilage in her front paw. That wonderful free roaming cat cost me about $500.00 plus surgery for my dog who always limped after that. I told the owner, knew it was his cat since I've seen it a million times roaming the neighborhood, but he denied it. So if I sound a little nasty about cats roaming the neighborhood, thats why.

 

[mickeysaver]

BC is our only strictly indoor cat. The other three, George, Cha-Cha, and Arwen, come and go as they please through a pet door. They are all fully vaccinated, fixed, and well fed. When we were looking for our house a couple of years ago, one of the major must have features was that it had to be on a quiet road with low traffic, had to have a fenced backyard, and if possible needed to back up to woods. We got the perfect house! Our pet's safety is always a concern.

We have other neighborhood cats that are not as well cared for that come to our home to pick a fight or try to gain access to the inside of our home, where the food is. Needless to say, this spawns a fight or two now and then. We do our best to discourage other cats from attempting to hang around, but you can only do so much. Luckily, our next door neighbors both seem to like our cats, so it's not a big deal to them that our cats hang out in their yards watching birds and chasing squirrels. Maggie

 

[spoiled_momma]

I hate it when people let their cats run free. I mean hey I can't just let my dogs run the neighborhood so why is it ok for cats to be able to? I don't get it my Lab knows the phrase "get the kitty!" Her ears purk up and she runs to the window to look. My little doxies just like to go outside and roll in the nice gifts that the kitty's have left in MY yard. Lovely. "Get the Kitty!"

 

[MushyMushy]

My cats want to go outside. It seems instinctual. It seems inhumane for me to keep them in against their will. But it also looks like there's room for opposing opinions on the topic.

It's also instinctual for my dog to want to chase down a cat, but I don't let her do it.

 

[helenabear]

Where I live there is a leash law that requires all pets to be leashed. Not just dogs, but cats and others (pigs for example) as well. We still have people who let their dogs and cats just run free. Kind of sad to me actually. Neither of my cats try to make a break for it with the door either. One of mine absolutely hates being outside, so I am grateful for that!