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...

[terio]

Romeo's dad,
Please don't get the idea that anyone blames you for letting your cat out... you took the measures that you could to protect your dear kitten.
As a cat owner of 2 indoor cats... I'm just saying that it is possible to provide them a good, interesting quality of life indoors especially if they are trained to be so as kittens. In the area I live in it is very dangerous for cats and they don't last long so at the shelter I volunteer at we try to encourage indoor homes for the cats we adopt out.
Pet disease is also rampant in our area right now... The latest studies have shown that the average life span for an outdoor cat is 3 years... indoor 16... I got that from a reputable study at the shelter (nation wide study) but don't have the facts to support it anymore.
I feel bad because I'm the one that brought up the outdoor vs indoor and I'm sure it's doing nothing to comfort you in your loss. You did nothing wrong, you clearly loved your kitty and gave that kitty a wonderful home. As far as your cat with the plantive howl to get out... as that cats owner you would decide if the quality of life indoors was not enough to make him/her happy to offset the risk (slight or large in your area) to let him/her out. God bless you and thankyou for your intelligent input as to what we can do to minimize the coyote risk. You are clearly a special person any animal would be blessed to be in your care. Terri