I have to say something

Quote:

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Originally posted by aly
I don't think a roaming cat is "stupid", but rather just owned by irresponsible people

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Not all inside/outside cats are owned by irresponsible people. I have litter trays to encourage my cats to do their business in my home not others gardens.

We have decided that as we live on a quiet road with a garden, that we want our cats to be able to experience freedom, to have a full cat life.

Bear in mind in this country, most people think USA people are very cruel for caging animals inside 24/7 with no/little access outside.

My personal opinion is whatever a loving owner knows is right for their animals is right, be that inside or Inside/outside. I would NEVER call someone for keeping there pets in 24/7, as I respect others decisions

Please do not condemn people with a different lifestyle choices than yourself.

I didn't misunderstand you PCB. I knew you weren't badmouthing dogs. I was just sensing some uncomfort. Nothing wrong with that. I just wanted you to have some positive experiences too :)

PayItForward - I have actually read the way you introduce your cats to the outside and completely respect it. I don't think you're irresponsible at all. I have learned from this board that its a lot different in other countries and I respect that. I disagree, but completely respect. I didn't mean to say that *ALL* outdoor cat owners are irresponsible. I meant that *SOME* or even *MOST* are (especially in the US). I just got carrried away and didn't pay attention to my typing.

My cats have a full cat life too :)

we tried making Fuzzy a house cat when we firt got him, but he was 6 years old and hated staying in, he would just sare outside and meow at the door and wouldent use his litter box, so one day we let him out and he came back about an hour later for food, my cat does his buisneaa (poop) in our yard under our fron window thingy, it is ok, is itnt in anyones way or anything. He pees all over his naibourhood because he likes to mark his territory, he is neutered. My cat loves us and we love him just the same as anyone here loves there inside cats, I personally think it is crule to keep a cat inside when it has been an outside cat all its life. JMHO..

Twisterdog, pet dander settles on the couches, carpets, bedding, and is nearly impossible to remove even with Hepa filters. Being outdoors with the pets isn't perfect, but it is much more tolerable for my son.

Sorry if I offended people ... sometimes I forget that this board is way more sensitive to things like that than most other boards. However, if it's offensive and sickening for you to just read about it, imagine how it is for me to DEAL with it. THAT was my point ... that outdoor cats often meet with horrible deaths.

And, sorry, I have to say that I stand by my "stupid cat" comment. I have TEN dogs ... terriers who jump up against the fence screaming, snarling, drooling and barking when they see a cat. These dogs do not in any way, shape or form give the impression that they want to do anything less than kill that cat. Now ... honestly ... would a smart cat jump off the top of a six foot wooden privacy fence into a yard full of dogs behaving like that? Ummmm ... I don't think so.

And, yes, Tikeyas mom, it makes a world of difference if you are pregnant and are near cat feces. Perhaps you should do some research on that if you are not familar with the issue.

Actually, the risk of a pregnant woman contracting something from cat feces is next to nil. I did quite a bit of research on it when I got pregnant. ^_^

I'm so glad that my cat stays on my property. I think now I'm going to ask my neighbors if my cat ever bothers them, and have my dad build her an unclimbable fence if it turns out that she does. (We had one at our old house to keep my neighbor's furry horde out of our yard. ^_^)

Twisterdog: You'd think the owners would learn after losing a cat like that! Stupid people! (Oh, and I wasn't offended by your post, and actually didn't find it graphic. I just abstained from letting myself see that mental picture.)


My father has a good friend who makes a living by his garden. He grows some obscenely rare types of flowers or something, and that's how he gets his money. He has a neighbor who has MANY MANY indoor/outdoor cats that were constantly messing in his garden. He spoke to her at length about it, and when his being polite didn't work, he started trapping them and taking them to the Humane Society. The woman kept getting them back, so finally he resorted to giving them to an out-of town friend and having the friend drop them at the HS in his area. Sad, but it's the price she paid for messing up his livelihood.

All my neighbors have cats. They have always came to my house, even before I had Ron outside. For some reason, they enjoy my yard. I never understood why since I have big dogs that love to chase them. They probably like to tease my dogs. lol On any given day, I have 4 or 5 cats laying on my car.

It doesn't bother me, but I'm sure if I didn't have a cat myself, I may get upset. The only thing that I have an ongoing fight with is getting my neighbor to spay and neuter her pets. I fought and fought with her about it, even offered to pay. She finally told me she spayed them, so I dropped it. Then the other day she says "Cali had kittens!" That's one of the mom's kittens. Apparently she only spayed the parents, not the two generations of kittens she has. grrrrr.

At that point, I'd take 'em in to be spayed without consulting her. Yay for low-cost clinics!

My brother and his wife are vet techs. The vet charges me $20 and also lends me the cages to trap them.

Well then, Go for it! ^_^ Unless you already are, in which case...YAY!

Quote:

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Originally posted by WolfChan
WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING?

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I wasn't, just making a point! If that's ok?

I think this thread originally started with Tonya telling us about her son's allergies and her pets and what to do, for some reason it ended up in the outdoor/indoor debate again.

Twisterdog, I have to say you would find it hard living in New Zealand where all cats are allowed to roam free, and to be honest most of the population do not seem to mind, infact they enjoy other people's cats, but then New Zealanders are very laid back , easy going people in general.

Actually the cats do serve a purpose as well, they help keep vermin at bay, and do the community a service.

Most people do not object to cats doing their poops in their gardens either, good fertiliser, however I am sure there are a few who certainly do.

New Zealand has a lot less predators and diseases that are harmful to the cat for one thing, but yes there are always some risks.

New Zealand is a very cat loving society, and therefore the tolerance is high i suppose.

I have said this all before, but as the subject just keeps coming up, I feel it necessary to put these points forward.

Payitforward and I are both responsible owners and our cats live similar if not identical lives.

It is a personal choice, which suits your circumstances and no-one should be condemed either way, for keeping your cats indoors or outdoors, or both.

I have the utmost respect for anyone who keeps their cats permanently indoors, they obviously do so because that is what is best for for their pet, but others should not be judged for choosing to have an indoor/outdoor pet either.

I took Callie to the vet the other day, and the vet told me she has a friend who is also a vet, and has a cat, and the cat is determined to be outside. even after she hired an animal behavorist... sooo, I'm sorry, I guess there ARE some cats that just have to be out there.

just wanted to tell you that.:)