Why can't cat owners keep their cat INSIDE?

[i-need-a-martini]

I am so over all the cats roaming through our backyard.

Not only does it mean our pet rabbit can't be outside in his own backyard or that I have to watch out where I put my hands when I am gardening because there is cat c*ap every where or that we get woken up at night because of cat fights.

But today I have spent the afternoon washing down with bleach all the entrances to my house, the perimetre walls and garden pots because the stench of their spraying is unbearable. They are even spraying the cars in the driveway.

And whilst I know that every cat owner on here will say they are responsible cat owners or that their cat is always inside or that they have cat runs so their cats never leave their property, I have yet to meet a cat owner in Sydney that has any of the above.

If you can't keep a cat on YOUR property then you have no business owning a cat in the first place.

[purple_haize]

verarday...verandah

[grumpy*cat*rocks]

~ because they're cats, and they want to roam. I think it's cruel keeping a cat inside 24/7. Ideally cats should have an outdoor enclosure they can run around in.

**bleep**.
Midas is inside except for a brief amble around the yard under supervision. We also have put him in one of those fold up mesh outdoor cat enclosures that we put on the back lawn whilst having a cuppa for half an hour or so once or twice a week.

He is perfectly happy and content. I have seen too many cats hit by cars or wandering the streets to allow our cat outside and unsupervised.

[ten*teeny*tiny*toes]

He probably was a nuisance then so I am sure that they threw a party and were glad we moved to Qld.

Spent a pretty penny getting him here lol.

[jimmy*part4]

I've caught cats visiting my new place on video camera. I've been here 4 months and met one of them 4 times, the first 3 times he ran into a wall to get away from me (I was just walking)...on friday he just sat 10 feet from me blinking innocently. Luckily none have been spraying.

Cats are smart and tenacious. From the Bella video  ...a screenshot of the fast cat, on his second attempt he's looking to see where the attack is coming from and already planning his next plan of attack.

[la_au71]

i LOVE cats, and i wish i could have one but this is not the country to keep a cat.

you either have to be cruel to your cat having it in a small cage  or letting it roam as it needs to, destroying defenseless wildlife, be completely irresponsible and selfish and have one anyway...

i am aware that many people will not like this post, but hey, how about being responsible over being selfish?

i know it's hard but there is always that thing called "conscience" which i think cat owners in australia desperately lack..

[azureline**]

In our council area, it is mandatory to keep cats on your own property, microchipped etc. Not everyone does it but recently I have noticed less cats around and no night time cat fights.

I don't want to have a cat................... members of the family are allergic to them............but if I did, I would have a cat run and make sure it wasn't out on the street, just like I do with my dog.

I love my dog and would hate for him to be run over by a car

[la_au71]

i had a cat in a aprpropriate country (where cats are NATIVE). they need to run free.

if you keep your cat inside/inside an enclosure and think the cat is happy you are kdding yourself for the sake of your own happiness because admitting that this is cruel would make you a bad person....

i have known an inside cat and she was mentally ill from being kept inside.

it's not natural, it is sick. just because we can't overcome our need to be with such a delightful creature does not make it right to keep them in cages for our own entertainment.

it's wrong, but way too many people put their own "needs" above others. never mind torturing other beings for that fluffy feeling when you pet your cat....

[azureline**]

in what country are cats native?

[la_au71]

europe

[jenni200011]

I am a huge cat lover and animal person through & through but realise that there are many people who are not as fond of cats as myself..I do agree some people have good reason to be annoyed with cats that roam especially in the evening..We have all heard the annoying calls & noise from entire toms roaming the neighborhood during mating time  & responsible pet ownership is The key to keeping your cat safe & healthy..I choose to keep my cats confined in either the home ( we have two cats who have no problem with living entirely inside & my other cats are given access to a heated enclosure with adequate room to climb & play and gaze all day at the birds without causing any harm.I live on large acerage and could easily let them roam but i know the dangers.I also respect my neighbours and would never want them harrased by unwanted cat fighting noise..Urinating in the gardens..spraying ect..In the cat club world we have a saying Inside & fat Rather than outside & flat..Cats are beautiful loving animals but it is in thier nature to be destructive..No body should be able to obtain a pet cat that is still entire and this is where our major problem of stray cats continue on & on .

Reasons to keep your cat contained within a proper weatherproof housing  for those who think its cruel are many..Dont think your pet cat that goes missing after a night out has just ventured off..Cats Deaths & injuries  are related mainly to road fatalities..If they escape that then add to the list Absesses from fights with other cats..Cat diseases are spread to your cat from feral cats carrying feline aids & leukemia virus..In time they may also fall victim to a Person who is fed up with constant visits from your cat  and will eventually choose to trap your animal..Your cat will also kill countless birds & small critters ..Cats love to be up high ..As long as they can climb then they will happily spend me any hours content basking in the sun in thier cat run..A sheltered area in the enclosure will also keep them warm if the weather was to change..They love you and want to be inside with you also for a great deal of time also as well as receiving quality fresh air & vitamin D during the day..Cats also  sleep more in the day  hours & will become most active at night if left outside & so you most likely wont be aware what your loving pet has actually got up to whilst you sleep....Please think of others & most of all Think of your Beloved Cat & keep them out of harms way