Please Keep Your Cats Inside!, danger to outdoor cats Options

[Ken Albin]

This may be somewhat graphic and I apologize for that, but I feel that I need to share this with those who have cats outside.

I teach high school Anatomy. Most of my students plan on pursuing a medical career. Part of our curriculum involves an extensive dissection of cats that have been euthanized at various shelters. These cats would wind up in landfills otherwise so at least they are providing a learning platform for future doctors and vets. I would imagine that many of these cats were rounded up from neighborhoods by animal control when people complained. These appear to be your typical cats who people feed outdoors.

This term we found that two of the cats had been shot. One had a pellet lodged in his hind leg. Another cat had a .22 bullet in her back. Both wounds had healed over, though there were signs of systemic infection. That was probably the reason why they were euthanized instead of being treated and then adopted.

If you have outdoor cats please consider bringing them in. There are a lot of cruel people in this world who do not hesitate to inflict pain upon any animal who comes into their yard. I have heard the argument that cats belong outdoors and are only happy there. I can only tell you that we have 9 indoor cats who are extremely happy. Most of ours are semi-feral and were trapped before being domesticated. Yes, it did take a lot of effort, scratches, and time for us to tame several of these guys but I am convinced that with patience and effort almost any cat can be acclimated to a happy life indoors.
Many people simply do not want to put forth the effort to do this. Even our Freddie, who to this day goes wild when we take him for a vet visit, is very happy inside. He sleeps next to me most nights and plays with the others. He will always be very shy and you have to pet him when he allows it but he has acclimated very well to home life.

My intention in writing this post is not to cause any dissention or hard feelings. Based upon what I have seen I know the hardships that cats can experience when they interact with some people outdoors. One of our cats, Daddy Cat, had a .22 bullet removed from his side by our vet when we took him to be initially checked out. Please consider taking the time to work with outdoor cats and bringing them inside. They will live happier and much safer lives.

[LoveThem]

Gillian: You might consider locking 1 in the bathroom and if there are more than 1 bathrooms....put another in another one. I found the bathroom would get the least damage. The only thing that happened when I put a puppy in one was my whole roll of toilet paper was all over the floor when I got home from work.

Also maybe you could rent or buy the kind of cage crate...very large..that sometimes I see in the vet hospital when I am in the waiting room. They have one of these with a cat inside with its foods, blanket, litter, and they usually are sleeping., and a note saying they are available for adoption. Normally I wouldn't suggest this but since you are saying temporary...maybe that's a thought. that would help keep them from fighting and also save your furniture. It probably wouldn't keep them quiet if they are used to meowing to get out but it would protect them from each other and your furniture. Oh, yes..I went back and read you can use the kitchen..add that to the thoughts of bathrooms.

By the way, in reply to your other post, I'm glad to hear it is rare for you to see a cat run over where you live. I have always lived in cities and dread driving down the street to a signal light at times when I can see a lump in the road and see it is someone's or a stray cat...dead. So I really am glad it is a rare sight for you and can understand why that picture doesn't jump into your mind as it did in mine.

You do have a dilemma on moving. Have you moved with them before? What did you do then? How many hours do they have to be alone with each other without your supervision? I know of nothing that occupies a cat when they get bored.
They always seem to choose when and what they will play with.

Maybe you can use Google and research the subject on the Internet...I find behavior questions sometimes answered in other forums or on vet sites or just about lots of cat places. There are sites devoted to cats that usually have lots of suggestions.
You might try looking at those.