Indoor cats:Quality of life (again)

Wow! I think I started this thread...at least the most recent
incarnation of it a while back, on Sept. 2. I appreciate all the input
and suggestions.

Consensus was to get a pair of cats, and, if possible, have some sort
of screened enclosure so they could venture out, get fresh air, etc.
That's not possible as I live in a townhouse development.

I remain conflicted about keeping a cat or cats under house arrest,
but I think that is my only option. I have lost three free-range
furballs, two almost certainly to coyotes, and a third to an attack by
two roving dogs, so I think for my situation, I have finally gotten
the message. Truth to tell, all three losses have occurred over the
years at three different locations.

My present townhome is an end unit facing an urban forest (native
reservation). It's a terrific site, a good distance from a busy road.
Skunks, raccoons, deer, other cats, bears, and of course, the coyotes
who "team hunt" ...all seen off my patio. My late lamented little guy
did not stand a chance, though he had 4 years of liberty, a privilege
which he never abused, sticking close to home and never being allowed
out after dark. Just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong
time in the woods. Don't believe the myth that coyotes are most active
only at dawn and dusk. My Bailey was almost surely taken circa late
afternoon. Had two black bears a couple of days ago, mugging my bird
feeder and sucking the sunflower seeds out of it. Very nonchalant
guys, not a bit fazed as I stood on the safe side of the glass, going
for multiple "Kodak moments". It's a great place to live,but with
respect to allowing a cat out, it has a sinister dark side. And I
fully realize that wild predators are not the only perils out there.

I enjoyed the many informative postings on this topic.

Blair Thompson
North Vancouver, B.C.

I remain conflicted about keeping a cat
or cats under house arrest, but I think that
is my only option.

No, it's not your only option. For someone in your situation there is a
good compromise. Train your cat(s) to walk on a harness and leash and
take them out for regular excursions. Here is the best type of harness
to get:
http://metpet.com/shopsite_sc/store/...ingjacket.html

I have several friends that take their cats out on a harness regularly
and it keeps the cat safe but still lets it have outdoor time. Everybody
wins.

Megan



"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray

I remain conflicted about keeping a cat
or cats under house arrest, but I think that
is my only option.

No, it's not your only option. For someone in your situation there is a
good compromise. Train your cat(s) to walk on a harness and leash and
take them out for regular excursions. Here is the best type of harness
to get:
http://metpet.com/shopsite_sc/store/...ingjacket.html

I have several friends that take their cats out on a harness regularly
and it keeps the cat safe but still lets it have outdoor time. Everybody
wins.

Megan



"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray

(blair thompson) writes
Wow! I think I started this thread...at least the most recent
incarnation of it a while back, on Sept. 2.

This thread was introduced waaaaaay back and is brought back to life on a
regular basis! lol

I remain conflicted about keeping a cat or cats under house arrest,
but I think that is my only option.

You can let the cats out when:
they can tell the diff between red & green traffic signals, read walk/don't
walk signs, know to keep away from toxic substances, look both ways before
crossing, have an alarm warning them of stray dogs/wild animals within 300 feet
and carry automatic weapons against humans with sociopathic tendencies.

(blair thompson) writes
Wow! I think I started this thread...at least the most recent
incarnation of it a while back, on Sept. 2.

This thread was introduced waaaaaay back and is brought back to life on a
regular basis! lol

I remain conflicted about keeping a cat or cats under house arrest,
but I think that is my only option.

You can let the cats out when:
they can tell the diff between red & green traffic signals, read walk/don't
walk signs, know to keep away from toxic substances, look both ways before
crossing, have an alarm warning them of stray dogs/wild animals within 300 feet
and carry automatic weapons against humans with sociopathic tendencies.

writes

I have several friends that take their cats out on a harness regularly
and it keeps the cat safe but still lets it have outdoor time. Everybody
wins.



Except those cats who become frightened at passing cars or noises and get out
of the harness.

writes

I have several friends that take their cats out on a harness regularly
and it keeps the cat safe but still lets it have outdoor time. Everybody
wins.



Except those cats who become frightened at passing cars or noises and get out
of the harness.

Except those cats who become
frightened at passing cars or noises and
get out of the harness.

When properly adjusted, the walking jacket is escape proof which is why
I recommend only that type of harness. I've tested it myself many times
and use it when I'm in the process of socializing frightened feral cats
that I can't just walk up to and pick up.

Megan



"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray

Except those cats who become
frightened at passing cars or noises and
get out of the harness.

When properly adjusted, the walking jacket is escape proof which is why
I recommend only that type of harness. I've tested it myself many times
and use it when I'm in the process of socializing frightened feral cats
that I can't just walk up to and pick up.

Megan



"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray

writes

When properly adjusted, the walking jacket is escape proof which is why
I recommend only that type of harness.

I never heard of a walking jacket. What type of store sells it. I just
(quickly) checked Petco's webpage and didn't find anything. Not that I'd let
my precious sweeties out..but it's good to know!