| For many cat owners, the choice of whether to keep | | | | shelter, where they will be euthanized in as little as 2 |
| their cat indoors or to let it roam free at least part of | | | | days if you don't know he is lost. |
| the time is difficult. Some cat lovers believe keeping | | | | Other Risks |
| your cat cooped up indoors all of the time amounts to | | | | Besides disease and human cruelty, roaming cats have |
| cruelty. Other cat lovers argue that the dangers of | | | | other reasons to be afraid. They are an easy victim |
| allowing domesticated cats to run in the streets far | | | | for dogs and other predators, and traffic. Who knows |
| outweighs any potential benefits for the cat. From the | | | | how many pets can be found flattened on the |
| title of this piece, you can probably guess which side | | | | pavement every night. Cats can also be killed by cars |
| of the issue I'm going to side with. But I think it's | | | | in other ways since they like to sleep under them. |
| important for people to realize how dangerous things | | | | Cats that run in the neighborhood are also much more |
| can be for cats on the streets. | | | | likely to contribute to the out-of-control cat population. |
| The Disease Factor | | | | Unless you have spayed or neutered your free |
| Cats that spend even part of the time outside are at a | | | | roaming feline, you are undoubtedly adding to the |
| significantly higher risk of catching one of the common | | | | problem. Too many cats are already euthanized daily |
| feline diseases than those who live indoors. And don't | | | | because they do not have a proper home. |
| assume your cat is not at risk because he or she has | | | | In some cases, very cruel owners will have their cats |
| been vaccinated. According to the Community Animal | | | | de-clawed but still allow them to roam the streets at |
| Welfare Society, most vaccines only provide up to | | | | night. This leaves the cat defenseless in the face of an |
| 85% protection against these diseases so your cat is | | | | attack. Not only can the cat not fight back against |
| still a risk of becoming gravely ill. | | | | predators or other cats, but he or she cannot even |
| Feline Leukemia is one of the most common diseases | | | | scale a tree or a fence for protection from the |
| in cats and is transmitted through cat saliva, which | | | | attackers or from other threats. |
| means a stray cat that licks your roaming pet or a | | | | The bottom line is that letting your cat outside provides |
| water source used by multiple cats can be a source | | | | no real benefits - only very real risks - to your cat's |
| of the disease. A second serious disease is Feline | | | | health and safety. Don't do it. |
| Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). This disease is | | | | If you feel your cat is missing out, provide him with a |
| transmitted through cat blood so if your pet becomes | | | | good cat condo, if you lack the space you can always |
| involved in a fight with another cat while roaming | | | | buy cheap Ikea shelves, glue on pieces of carpet that |
| outdoors he could contract the disease. Unfortunately, | | | | you can get as scrap at carpet places, and put them |
| FIV is fatal and no cure is available at this time. | | | | on the wall so your cat can climb up on the wall. They |
| The Human Element | | | | even look cool! |
| While cats do run a serious risk of catching disease | | | | Give him or her a nice window seat to look out. |
| from other felines outdoors, that's not the only risk they | | | | Teach them to walk on a leash. Yes they can be |
| face. Not everyone in your community is going to | | | | trained. They will initially feel confined by the harness, |
| appreciate the activity of these free-roaming cats. A | | | | and their first attempts at walking on a leash might look |
| neighbor fed up with the cat's visits to their yard, might | | | | uncomfortable and a waste of time, but with love and |
| deliberately leave out poisoned cat food or other | | | | patience on your part, most cats will enjoy leash |
| dangerous things for cats. In other cases, toxic | | | | walking. |
| chemicals, such as those in antifreeze, are located in | | | | Build them an outdoor condo where they can come |
| places where cats like to end up and can result in their | | | | out and enjoy the sunshine if you have the space. You |
| death. | | | | don't have to spend a fortune. |
| Humans can also be cruel. Around Halloween every | | | | Get them a mesh front carrier. Most are for dogs, but |
| year, hundreds of black cats are killed around the | | | | they can be used for cats as well. You can take them |
| country in pranks. Cats that roam the streets are a | | | | with you and go for walks, or get them a kitty stroller. |
| very likely target for this type of behavior, especially | | | | You can get them at good prices online. |
| since most owners let them out for the night when | | | | The point is, you can keep them safe and satisfied, |
| pranksters are most often on the prowl. They can also | | | | and exercised, and they will never miss the great |
| be caught and sold to research facilities, or taken to a | | | | outdoors. |