Advice needed

On Tue, 8 Jun 2004, Mary wrote:

It just seems to me that the UK's knee-jerk "cats MUST be outside" is just
as bad as the US's knee-jerk "cat's CANNOT be outside (even when in a
relatively safe, low-traffic area. And I don't understand why your wife
would wish to endanger an animal she loves. Or doesn't she?

I agree totally, but my wife really does only have the cats best interests
at heart, and I guess us Brits are just "cats must be outside" as you say.
Personally I honestly believe that they should be indoors or outdoors with
supervision, but it's a tough call.

I would like to hear from more Brits on their opinions, simply to know
what they think, but everyone's info has been really great.

I dare say I'll be flustered again tomorrow after another night of her
going out. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

And I'll definitely look into screens, cheers.

H

In article Pine.SOL.3.96.1040608164654.4629T-100000
@draco.cus.cam.ac.uk, enlightened us with...

And I'll definitely look into screens, cheers.


I found these.
http://www.premier-env.co.uk/fly%20screens1.htm

http://www.zencatalog.com/PestContro...IY_fly_screen_
windows_and_doors__71.html


--
--
~kaeli~
The secret of the universe is @*&^^^ NO CARRIER
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

In article Pine.SOL.3.96.1040608164654.4629T-100000
@draco.cus.cam.ac.uk, enlightened us with...

And I'll definitely look into screens, cheers.


I found these.
http://www.premier-env.co.uk/fly%20screens1.htm

http://www.zencatalog.com/PestContro...IY_fly_screen_
windows_and_doors__71.html


--
--
~kaeli~
The secret of the universe is @*&^^^ NO CARRIER
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

"H. Barker" wrote in message
...

On Tue, 8 Jun 2004, Mary wrote:

She went out again last night for about 45 mins, and since then,
again,
she's been kinda anti-me. It's weird, it feels almost like she's going
off
me, which is odd.

*Sigh*

Well it's hard because my wife really wants her to get used to going out,
and I don't. I'm in a no-win situation, really.

The other problem is how do we have the door open in the summer without
her getting out? It may seem obvious to some people, but not I.

Any screen doors available in the UK? I don't know if they sell them over
there at all, or not. Could do a Google... [They're a pretty standard item
here - usually come as a storm/screen combo; positioned in front of the
regular door(s).]

Cathy


Sorry for trying your patience

H

"H. Barker" wrote in message
...

On Tue, 8 Jun 2004, Mary wrote:

She went out again last night for about 45 mins, and since then,
again,
she's been kinda anti-me. It's weird, it feels almost like she's going
off
me, which is odd.

*Sigh*

Well it's hard because my wife really wants her to get used to going out,
and I don't. I'm in a no-win situation, really.

The other problem is how do we have the door open in the summer without
her getting out? It may seem obvious to some people, but not I.

Any screen doors available in the UK? I don't know if they sell them over
there at all, or not. Could do a Google... [They're a pretty standard item
here - usually come as a storm/screen combo; positioned in front of the
regular door(s).]

Cathy


Sorry for trying your patience

H

"H. Barker" wrote in message
...

On Tue, 8 Jun 2004, kaeli wrote:

The other problem is how do we have the door open in the summer
without
her getting out? It may seem obvious to some people, but not I.

We use screen doors in the States. A little door with a screen that goes
on the outside of the main door to keep bugs out but let air in.
Do you have a screen door?

Nope, we don't, but I'd consider that if I knew where to get one in the
UK. Worth a thought, though, thanks.


I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but if you don't have screens on the
doors and windows, how do you keep flying insects out of your house? If I
didn't have screens on my windows and doors, I would have bees, mosquitos,
flies, wasps, and who knows what else in here.

I have a couple former strays, and they all seem content to stay inside.
They never even make a motion for the door. It's the cat that I've had
since he was a kitten that always wants to go out.

I think a screened-in area for your cat would be the best solution.
Something like this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2002+113262

There are lots of different options. Not sure if they deliver to the UK,
though.



--
-Kelly
kelly at farringtons dot net
Check out www.snittens.com

"H. Barker" wrote in message
...

On Tue, 8 Jun 2004, kaeli wrote:

The other problem is how do we have the door open in the summer
without
her getting out? It may seem obvious to some people, but not I.

We use screen doors in the States. A little door with a screen that goes
on the outside of the main door to keep bugs out but let air in.
Do you have a screen door?

Nope, we don't, but I'd consider that if I knew where to get one in the
UK. Worth a thought, though, thanks.


I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but if you don't have screens on the
doors and windows, how do you keep flying insects out of your house? If I
didn't have screens on my windows and doors, I would have bees, mosquitos,
flies, wasps, and who knows what else in here.

I have a couple former strays, and they all seem content to stay inside.
They never even make a motion for the door. It's the cat that I've had
since he was a kitten that always wants to go out.

I think a screened-in area for your cat would be the best solution.
Something like this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2002+113262

There are lots of different options. Not sure if they deliver to the UK,
though.



--
-Kelly
kelly at farringtons dot net
Check out www.snittens.com

"H. Barker" wrote in message
...

Hi guys,
.... However, as my incredibly doubting wife pointed out, the replies have
all
been kinda one sided, and all, apparently, from the other side of the
pond. Not that I am saying they aren't valid. Believe me, I think you're
all spot on.
....
H

Although we may have our own biases, depending on which side of the pond we
reside, I think the real issue here is that *it is not the cat* who wants to
go out; it is the wife who wants the cat to go out and the husband who says
he does not want the cat to go out because he worries about it. I hope this
is not becoming a power struggle between the two humans, each professing to
be looking out for the cat's best interests, but really using the cat as a
pawn in order to win.
If that is the case, I suggest that you two settle what is really behind
this and stop putting the cat in the middle.
As for the cat, if she does not want to go out of her own accord, let her
stay inside. If she wants to go out, ease your own mind and make sure she
is safe by going with her. If you and your wife can agree to let the cat
decide whether she goes in or out, you can agree to take turns keeping an
eye on her. That way you each get your way and the cat gets her way, too.
And, when the weather is nice, you can just leave the door open, as long as
you both agree to keep track of the whereabouts of the cat.
Annie

"H. Barker" wrote in message
...

Hi guys,
.... However, as my incredibly doubting wife pointed out, the replies have
all
been kinda one sided, and all, apparently, from the other side of the
pond. Not that I am saying they aren't valid. Believe me, I think you're
all spot on.
....
H

Although we may have our own biases, depending on which side of the pond we
reside, I think the real issue here is that *it is not the cat* who wants to
go out; it is the wife who wants the cat to go out and the husband who says
he does not want the cat to go out because he worries about it. I hope this
is not becoming a power struggle between the two humans, each professing to
be looking out for the cat's best interests, but really using the cat as a
pawn in order to win.
If that is the case, I suggest that you two settle what is really behind
this and stop putting the cat in the middle.
As for the cat, if she does not want to go out of her own accord, let her
stay inside. If she wants to go out, ease your own mind and make sure she
is safe by going with her. If you and your wife can agree to let the cat
decide whether she goes in or out, you can agree to take turns keeping an
eye on her. That way you each get your way and the cat gets her way, too.
And, when the weather is nice, you can just leave the door open, as long as
you both agree to keep track of the whereabouts of the cat.
Annie

On Tue, 8 Jun 2004 16:49:10 +0100, "H. Barker"
wrote:


On Tue, 8 Jun 2004, Mary wrote:

It just seems to me that the UK's knee-jerk "cats MUST be outside" is just
as bad as the US's knee-jerk "cat's CANNOT be outside (even when in a
relatively safe, low-traffic area. And I don't understand why your wife
would wish to endanger an animal she loves. Or doesn't she?

I agree totally, but my wife really does only have the cats best interests
at heart, and I guess us Brits are just "cats must be outside" as you say.
Personally I honestly believe that they should be indoors or outdoors with
supervision, but it's a tough call.

I would like to hear from more Brits on their opinions, simply to know
what they think, but everyone's info has been really great.

I dare say I'll be flustered again tomorrow after another night of her
going out. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

And I'll definitely look into screens, cheers.

H



I live in the UK and I class my cat as an indoor kitty.

I have a cat flap, she can go out if she wants, she chooses to spend
95% of her time indoors. Sometimes she sits with just her nose out of
the flap, sometimes she ventures all the way out but never for very
long, usually 10 or 15 mins. Now the weather is a bit nicer, she
seems more interested in going out and chasing bugs in the back garden
at night. I live pretty near the city centre but in a very quiet
residential area with very little traffic and my block has an enclosed
back garden. I am happy to let her go out if she wishes but would
never force her out or lock her out!

A friend of mine lives in a house and, when she is at home, lets her
cat out into her enclosed back garden and leaves the back door open.
Obviously not in bad weather but then her cat is happy to stay in when
it's wet and windy. ) This works for her cat who doesn't seem
bothered to venture far. She can roll in the grass, sun herself and
chase bugs...the cat, not my friend )

I have another friend who lives right on the edge of town, her garden
backs onto fields and her 4 cats come and go as they please through
her cat flap.

Two girls I work with have happy healthy cats who spend their whole
lives indoors because they live in city centre flats with no realistic
means of letting them out safely.

I know lots of people in the UK will say to you ' oh, I couldn't have
a cat if I couldn't let it out' and 'it's cruel to keep a cat in'
excuse my language here but quite frankly, they are talking out of
their arses!!!! ;o)

It's up to *you* to decide what is the best for *your* cat depending
on *your* circumstances. Try introducing the cat flap. If it's a
lockable one, you can control her coming and goings and it may be a
happy medium between out and in.

Good luck with what ever you decide!

Lindsey