The Ins And Outs Of Cat Care

The Smiths are angry and upset. Their cat is the fourth on the block to disappear in a months. Like their neighbours, they’re blaming traffic, thoughtless people, or wild animals. Like many people, however, they are missing the point.

“The point,” says Stephanie Shain, “is that cats should not roam alone outdoors.” Shain is a companion animal expert at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). “People don’t usually open their front doors and let their dogs loose. We keep them safe inside and walk them on leashes. But we often have a habit of letting our cats out without a leash or an enclosure to protect them.” To encourage people to break this habit, the HSUS has launched the “Safe Cats Campaign.” Check out www.safecats.org.

Cats have been our companions for thousands of years. Today, with millions sharing our homes, cats are America’s most popular pet. Tragically, they are also the pets most likely to die prematurely - from disease, poison, animal attacks, abuse, and speeding cars. A major reason is that, unlike most kinds of pets, cats are frequently allowed outdoors alone. The average life span of a free-roaming cat is about three years. Compare that to 15 - 18 years for an indoor cat. It’s clear why most veterinarians recommend keeping cats indoors.

“People who let their cats out aren’t cruel or thoughtless,” says Shain. “They just believe that cats are better off if they spend time outside. Many think it’s impossible to train an outdoor cat to use a litter box and live happily indoors.” That’s where the HSUS’s “Safe Cats Campaign” can help.

“There are so many ways of ‘bringing the outdoors in,’” says Shain. “You can satisfy your cat’s natural hunting instincts with toys he can hide in, pounce on, or chase. You can even take your cat safely outdoors if you use a leash and a harness, or a special enclosure. Kitty-proof enclosures prevent cats from escaping the yard and keep unwanted animals out. Plus, they can be jazzed up with trees for scratching and shelves for snoozing!”

For information on helping your outdoor cat become an indoor cat, the benefits of keeping cats inside, or harness training a cat, contact the Kindness Club.

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