I have to say something

[CathyBogart]

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.

[Tonya]

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.

[CathyBogart]

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

[Tonya]

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

[CathyBogart]

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

[Heather Wallace]

Originally posted by WolfChan
WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING?

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

[carole]

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.

[kittens]

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.