People who let their cats roam the neighborhood

[TurboKitty]

Andy's location is listed as London, where indoor only cats are almost unheard of, and likely sound slightly absurd.

Anyone annoyed by cats on their property, please, pretty please, call the police. Call animal control. Call your city council and change the laws. But please do not use a BB gun or dunk someone's pet "in the pond".

 

[Laura]

Just because we train them and keep them as pets does not change the fact that they are wild animals. If a 'pet' mother has kittens that never see a human, they sure as heck will be wild. Cats are amazingly well adapted at surviving, no matter what happens to them. That is why a feral cat population can explode with just the release of one male and one female. The fact that we name them and love them does not change the fact that they *are* animals. The wild part comes with how they are socialized.

They are domesticated animals, not wild animals. This has occurred over centuries. Yes, like goats and camels, they can become feral. That doesn't mean they're unhappy being domesticated, it's just adapting to the environment. In many places they are an invasive species if left to roam and kill endemic species--whether the cats are domesticated or feral. My cats have no idea how to hunt and fend for themselves. And no, they're not trained.

The fact is, an indoor environment is safer for cats. Period.

 

[MichelleVW]

My two cats were born in a barn but have lived inside since I got them at 8 weeks old and they couldn't be happier. They are great and talented hunters, attacking and killing the milk rings and their fake mice!!! They have their kitty condo to escape from the dogs...they run around in the house like crazy animals for their exercise....I can't imagine letting them go outside where they could get hit by a car, chased by dogs...or who knows what...I am not a fan of outside animals here...(cept my horses...but they are confined and don't wander the neighborhood!!)

I hate wandering cats....and don't get me started on the UN FIXED wandering cats!!!

 

[magicmato]

They are domesticated animals, not wild animals. This has occurred over centuries. In many places they are an invasive species if left to roam and kill endemic species. My cats have no idea how to hunt and fend for themselves. And no, they're not trained.

Well, we will have to agree to disagree. I bet if your cats went outside, they would be able to hunt just fine. But I am not about to debate this. I have dealt with enough cat rescue people to know that what I am saying, in my area, is true enough and that is good enough for me. BTW, the whole invasive species/roaming thing can be said for just about any species. That is why it is *good* that there are predators. In some areas, the roaming cats keep the rat/mice/snake populations down, which would be a far worse problem than the cats. Just talk to someone in Australia about that one.

 

[Laura]

Well, we will have to agree to disagree. I bet if your cats went outside, they would be able to hunt just fine. But I am not about to debate this. I have dealt with enough cat rescue people to know that what I am saying, in my area, is true enough and that is good enough for me. BTW, the whole invasive species/roaming thing can be said for just about any species. That is why it is *good* that there are predators. In some areas, the roaming cats keep the rat/mice/snake populations down, which would be a far worse problem than the cats. Just talk to someone in Australia about that one.

I doubt they would be able to hunt. They practice on the catnip mice, and they are the worst huntresses I've ever seen. Especially my older cat, who did have a stint outdoors before she was rescued--in bad shape, I might add.

Invasive species can decimate populations of endemic species and become pests. Ask Hawaiians about their cat population.
http://www.abcbirds.org/cats/states/hawaii_intro.htm

And I'm sorry you disagree, because being outdoors unsupervised is really no way for cats to live. I can't imagine anyone advocating for it, especially one who claims to know what they're talking about.

 

[jillyjoey]

Andy's location is listed as London, where indoor only cats are almost unheard of, and likely sound slightly absurd.

Anyone annoyed by cats on their property, please, pretty please, call the police. Call animal control. Call your city council and change the laws. But please do not use a BB gun or dunk someone's pet "in the pond".

Have called Animal Control and they not so politely told us that they would not do anything about cats.

I am sure some people would feel differently if they had their brand new vehicle ruined by trespassing cats.

 

[JMurray]

I agree. People let cats do whatever they want. But if there was a dog doing the same thing, they would be picked up by animal control. My neighbors cat sleeps on my car at night because I come home late and its warm. Now my brand new car is all scratched up because the people let their cats loose and obviously don't care about them. If they did they would bring them back inside for the night where its warm and safe. I say safe because in my area there are coyotes that come out at night (not to mention cars).

 

[Andy B]

Yes I come from London in that primative country England. Here it wold be unusual for cats not to have some time outside. When we had a cat it was let outside during the day if it wanted but had to come inside during the nights.

She lived to about 15 years old.

 

[Kath2003]

In my street of 13 houses there are at least 5 cats.
Mine is 5.
Tigger is 11.
Winnie is 9.
Cleo is 3.
Poppy is 21!

All of these are outside cats.

Sadly we did have a death of an 18-year-old cat last year but it was through old age, not being hit by a car.
I don't know of anyone's cat which HAS been hit by a car but it's a risk you take. People get hit by cars, but we still walk the streets

The difference between letting cats loose and dogs not? Dogs can injure people. Dogs are little or no threat to most cats - most cats can easily hold their own against a dog or are faster and able to reach places a dog could not. Dogs have been known to kill people, especially kids - you don't see "Death by Kitty" plastered all over the newspapers though.

 

[asta]

I know that I shouldn't jump in here but I think that there are very serious reasons for having stronger leash laws for dogs than cats. While it is possible to be very irritated by cats (especially if you just don't like them, which is a reasonable position to have), I have never heard of a cat killing a person or even seriously attacking someone. Most injuries by cats are probably caused when someone tries to come in contact with them. Unfortunately dogs, even pets, have been known to attack and kill. I can think of a recent case here in Tennessee where a woman was attacked and killed by a dog (or dogs) on her daily walk on a public road. I know that we often hear of attacks by someones pet dog but thank God these attacks are not always fatal.

I would also like to add that one of the most obnoxious things that I have ever seen pet owners do is to walk their dogs and let them unrinate on neighbors shrubs and flowers. Dog urine will burn flowers and leave dead spots on shrubs. Dogs are also allowed to poop on these walks and the owners don't pick it up. It just lays there, at least a cat covers where they poop.

 

[TurboKitty]

Andy B and Kath2003, I want to assure you that I meant no disrespect. I was only trying to make sure others were aware of your location, especially before trying to rip into you for your views on this. If what I wrote was in anyway unclear on that, I apologize.

 

[jillyjoey]

I don't think anyone has said that there should not be leash laws for dogs. I totally agree and get quite irritated by those who let their dogs run loose.
Moreover, most urban areas have pooper scooper laws -- we don't but we live in the county and there are no sidewalks -- or yard to poop in - and my dogs stay on my 2 acres.

That said -- not one dog has ruined by vehicle. All everybody is saying regarding this argument is that cat owners should be mindful of the damages caused by their free-roaming cats and while they love their cat, not every body else does. Same thing goes for dogs, I love my dogs but I'm positive no one else does -- that is why they are confined to my property.

Does anybody really think that the neighborhood cat owner who lets his cat wander freely will gladly pay the $1500-$3000 bill to repaint a vehicle that his been ruined by his beloved cat? If you think you would gladly pay to repaint your neighbors damaged vehicle -- then I take back what I have said.

 

[Andy B]

Andy B and Kath2003, I want to assure you that I meant no disrespect. I was only trying to make sure others were aware of your location, especially before trying to rip into you for your views on this. If what I wrote was in anyway unclear on that, I apologize.

No offence taken, perhaps there should be a smiley of tounge in cheek.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You are right, but then they face the possibility of drowning in a toilet, of falling down the stairs, pulling shelving down on themselves, chewing an electrical wire and electrocuting themselves, etc.

I grew up with all outside cats and they all lives long healthy lives because they were cared for. Somehow I doubt that was the exception to the rule.

However, we now live where there are feral cats. They are undernourished and sickly and certainly will not live long healthy lives. It is not the cars that causes the short life spans in most cats.

My kitty sustained a life-altering injury indoors...she blew out eveyr single ligament in both of her little kitty knees. This injury is seen more often in dogs and is extremely rare in cats in one "knee" let alone "two". She is strictly indoor. It is just fabulous irony for her as my hubby does refer to her as the dumb cat. She was running in circles and rammed her little legs into the table.

This injury can only happen typically as a result of MAJOR trauma. So my "dumb" kitty--managed to do what most of the feline population cannot. In any case--unlike a dog, cats are fantastic healers and she could heal that way with minimal interruption to the quality of her life. If she were a dog...it would have been costly surgery or euthanasia unfortunately.

 

[VirtuallyMe]

Animal control will offer cat traps in our area- that you pay rent on lol- they show how to use them and when full will pick them up

They will not do anything to the owners unless you can proove neglect (underfed, injured, lacking needed medical care)

Cats can roam freely- legally in most places in the US- unlike dogs they do NOT fall under leash laws

I agree that it is a cruel thing to have outdoor cats in an area that isn't safe for them to roam around- outdoor cats have almost half the average lifespan as an indoor cat does- but at the same time- there isn't much you can do about them...

My husband scares the cats that roam our neighborhood- so they stay away for the most part- except in the middle of the night- when they seem to walk across his windshield with muddy paws lol

I know growing up- most of our cats were indoor/outdoor- they lived mostly inside but would occaisionally take off and roam around the neighborhood- some just out in our yard others a bit farther- but there were always other neighborhood cats who would torment ours- some they got along with peacefully- but for a few those cats would come by and try to fight all the time- those cats usually got the hose turned on them- eventually they quit coming around...

 

[Laura]

Andy B and Kath2003, I want to assure you that I meant no disrespect. I was only trying to make sure others were aware of your location, especially before trying to rip into you for your views on this. If what I wrote was in anyway unclear on that, I apologize.

Very true. For example, declawing cats is illegal in the UK, but that's accepted here, even routine.

It is understandable why people think cats belong outdoors when it's so commonplace. Believe me, I used to think nothing of it, even when Spooky got hit by a car. But when I considered the risks of outdoor living, I realized being indoors is best for my pets. It's my job to protect and care for them.

 

[U2_rocks!]

And I'm sorry you disagree, because being outdoors unsupervised is really no way for cats to live. I can't imagine anyone advocating for it, especially one who claims to know what they're talking about.

Sorry, but you cannot make a blanket statement like that for all cats everywhere - it simply isn't true! There are next to no indoor cats on the island of Barbados, and I would venture to guess that the entire Caribbean is the same, as are most tropical countries. Cats here are very happy outside, and they are actually a very important way of keeping the rodent populations down. You are free to speak about your area, but don't presume to speak for cats everywhere.

 

[Laura]

Sorry, but you cannot make a blanket statement like that for all cats everywhere - it simply isn't true! There are next to no indoor cats on the island of Barbados, and I would venture to guess that the entire Caribbean is the same, as are most tropical countries. Cats here are very happy outside, and they are actually a very important way of keeping the rodent populations down. You are free to speak about your area, but don't presume to speak for cats everywhere.

Yes, I do remember your post about windows being open so cats really can't be kept indoors. But still, I'd have to believe it would be safer for them if you could. I was referring to the USA in my post, though.

But there are so many places where it's very dangerous for them. On Barbados, I imagine there are not so many predators like coyotes.

 

[CheshireVal]

Well, we will have to agree to disagree. I bet if your cats went outside, they would be able to hunt just fine. But I am not about to debate this. I have dealt with enough cat rescue people to know that what I am saying, in my area, is true enough and that is good enough for me.

That's strange, because in order to adopt a cat from the rescue groups here, you have to agree that it will be kept strictly indoors.

 

[Laura]

That's strange, because in order to adopt a cat from the rescue groups here, you have to agree that it will be kept strictly indoors.

I guess it depends. Our cat Tucha was adopted from a shelter with little paperwork and no agreements about indoor living or declawing. My brother in another state adopted from a shelter had to have a background check and agree to never declaw and keep the kitty indoors.