Coyotes, a real pet threat Options

[terio]

I live across from a canyon that has many coyotes..it's their home and they aren't going to be relocated. Even the street smart cats aren't safe.. some of my neighbors have outdoor cats that have lasted a long time..but all to often I see the "missing cat" signs at the gate to my neighborhood. I also volunteered at the animal shelter and every Sunday we'd have a flood of cat owners looking for their missing cats... I have 2 indooor 3 year old cats...they are happy because they were raised as kittens to be indoors... I'm not saying this to make anyone feel bad... just to know that in coyote areas there is no way to insure they won't get your cat. Of course there are hazards indoors too.. medicines ect... but it is an alternative to be considered. As far as the turkey bones ect... also no one should leave pet food sitting outside for their animals as this can also attract them. Thanyou for sharing about the risk with us kit's dad...

[DJ - Edgar, Jess...]

I hope my input doesn't seem cold or hard but I have a very strong opinion on this subject. Domesticated animals should not be left to run wild. Neither should small children. Once they do, they are at risk. And WE have then PUT them at risk.

There is no such thing as a "street smart" child or cat. They cannot make judgement calls regarding their own safety. Even if there were, other cats out there carry disease, there are cars, cruel people with rocks, etc... I wouldn't want to handle being out wandering the dark streets alone - and I'm a 37 year old man with a second degree black belt in karate.

By the way, as much as I truly sympathize with anyone who has lost a pet for ANY reason - nobody can ever change my mind on this subject, no matter how "smart" our cats may seem. Please don't try. I have YET to see a single argument that didn't rely on emotional weakness on an owner's part ("I can't bear to lock them up") or a deliberate disregard for their safety ("It won't happen to MY cat"). This is irresponsible and unfortunate.

If cats were smart enough to be wandering out amongst the cars, owls and coyotes, they would be running the world by now. My cat is very smart. And in a panic, he runs in any random direction. I've seen him run into the couch, a wall and other things.