Comment

Comment by Barbara Vice on March 11, 2011 at 11:16am

I have a bit of a problem with humans who believe animals should not be allowed to be animals.

Comment by BABS CHIARA BAILEY on March 4, 2011 at 8:38am

hi, am in england and since show some of my cats inc the siams/devons - have had 55ft of run space built onto the backs of the bungalow by a specialist cattery firm - it cost us a bit of cash but the cats can come and go from the conservatory and kitchen areas by the rear back door into one run and thru the small catflaps the other side - so in the summers ( we have wet windy winters our ways so they always want to stay inside with cosy cat beds and the CH !) then all the time that we are about they have the purrfect illusions of freedom, plenty of fresh air, shelves to sit and enjoy the sunshine and the valley views, and safe and secure - ps anybody can easily buy or biuld a small basic cats chalet cum play run in their gardens or patios - pps most of my friends with felines also do this and it does work well for us ....

Comment by Meow Meow Meagan on February 28, 2011 at 11:20pm

Thanks so much for all the comments! I too have just one cat that likes to be indoors. She perks up her ears when you open the door...but doesn't dare go out there. Funny thing is..she came from outside. She must not have liked it all too much. lol.

I was on "yahoo answers" in the cat section and boy there are a ton of know it alls there who shamed me for letting my cat outdoors. Told me the cat would be poisened or run over... or what have you. But I think we have to give the creatures a little more credit than some people have been. They don't want to die anymore than we dont want them to!! Another person raised the issue of "they kill other wildlife" ...umm..ok?? That's animals..killing animals.. Oh quick call peta!! Theres a dead vole on my welcome mat and I wanna stop this injustice...please. My cats don't actually bring back animals either.

 

The worst thing that I experience having outdoor cats is that this crazy lady who doesn't speak english a few doors down lets my cats in her house and feeds them...and they hang out there sometimes. Which is annoying...but whatever...it's not harmful to the cats. When my tortie gives birth I'm gonna try to give her a kitten lol. So she leaves mine alone. lol

Comment by Terri Backhaus on February 26, 2011 at 12:29pm

I always let my cats out thru their cat door, for years. Then about 3 years ago, my youngest cat kept getting into fights with ONE cat in the neighborhood. NO other cat seemed to bother him, but just like people I guess, there is always a troublemaker. He had several severe injuries because of this...so we put up a very high fence in our side/back yard and enclosed the bottom of the entire deck railings..so he can't get out anymore...he is older now and has only jumped over the fence once. But I see it in his eyes that he misses roaming around free...

He has the whole side yard though and the deck to sun himself on in the nice weather..so I know he is happy

Comment by Stefanie Lytle on February 26, 2011 at 11:28am

I have to agree with everybody, I think it is good to let them outside to get some sun, and air out a bit. Out of my three cats though, the only one who ever wants out is the one who didnt start out there! Callie came from a "we have free kittens" place, Echo and Baby like Smaxel, were kittens that were strays and probably not going to make it. Callie begs and pleads to go out on a sunny day, while the other two are just fine with the view from the window! My grandma gives me a time about letting Callie out, the whole, its so dangerous. And I know it can be. Yet here happiness is important to me too. I know her little adventures outside make her a happy cat!!!

Comment by Donna Horwood on February 26, 2011 at 3:16am

I agree with you..all my cats I keep indoors but some will fight you daily at the door and maybe their personal quality of life just has to include some outdoors time....I had a barn cat that went out daily and lived to age 20....I think you have to evaluate where you live and the level of danger in your area....Hope your baby lives a long blessed life, Donna

Comment by THE BIG GIRL on February 25, 2011 at 8:39pm

wonderful story...you know what he wants:)

Comment by Meow Meow Meagan on February 23, 2011 at 6:50pm

Yes, I agree. I do have a yard...and we live sorta in the woods. We do live down a longish road away froma busier road but my cats have an invisible line they don't cross. When I take my daughter down the road to the bus stop in the mornings...They sit at that point and when I walk back up they walk with me lol

 

Comment by MediaGrump on February 23, 2011 at 11:52am

This is a good debate.   I think it depends all where you live.  I live in the city, with lots of cars, dogs and local police to enforce animal control.  If your animal is captured, it goes to jail & you have to bail em out.  Not good for the pocket book. lol But I am not against taking my cats outside.  I keep them in a leash.  They don't seemed to mind it.  It took some getting used to, I'll tell you that. lol 

But if you live in the country or have a backyard with a fence, let your animals out!  Let them run around & be animals.  Of course keep shot up to date, tick & flea protection.  I think it is healthier for them to move around, explore, and protect their territory.