Maybe the situation is different in the UK, but just in the States alone, outdoor cats kill 2.4 billion birds every year. This comes from research studies. Although this number may seem unbelievable, it represents the combined impact of tens of millions of outdoor cats. Each outdoor cat plays a part. Maybe cats have had a larger impact in North America, Australia, and NZ--certainly Australia and NZ have started to get tough on outdoor cats. I agree cats need enrichment and catios are probably a good compromise. Given that bird populations have declined worldwide by 30% in the last 50 years, those of us with affected bird populations are taking action. I hope things are going well in UK and you don't have to worry about it.

I'm a vet tech and my #1 advice to cat owners who insist that their cat is an indoor/outdoor cat and won't stay inside: Vaccinate your cat, attach a bell to its collar and prepare yourself and your children for the day kitty doesn't come home because it's HBC or been killed by another predator 🥺 (**HBC Hit By Car)

Very true!

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You wouldn't act or say the same if that was a human child I guess. My pets are my children and I need to do my best to keep them safe. while they want to go outside you should accompany them

Or maybe put a bell on their collar so they can go outside but not hunt. Growing up, our cat had a bell and the birds would dive bomb her because they knew she couldnt kill them ( cat rely on steakth for hunting ).

I am Canadian and whenever possible I advise people to keep cats indoors. Indoor cats live longer and so do millions of songbirds when cats are not allowed to roam outdoors. Sure. Habituate your cat to leash and harness, build a catio, catproof your balcony and do whatever you need to keep your pet environmentally enriched and other wild critters safe from predation. Keep your cats indoors people.

Open a window for the fresh air. Sit at the window for the sun. My cats like to sit on the back of the couch and watch out the window at whatever is happening outside.

Yeah! That’s sounds awesome! Aside from the inevitable tick checks but I suppose all pet owners have to do it.

Pets are domesticated to be at home especially in this world where the traffic is going wild and so many transportation is outside. I dont agree with the 'roaming around", unless you live in a Kibutz or a kind of village with no cars traffic you should keep your animals safe . I guess you wouldn't say that to your kids.

?

No idea where you get your five years from, but it's nonsense. I've had cats for decades, always allowed out via cat flap, most lived to 16 or more. Feeling low today, had to have Jack put to sleep yesterday, cancer. Aged 15, far too young, he still had a lot of life ahead of him. Snowflake, James and Poppy will miss him too.

I’m sorry the loss of your friend.

You must live in an extremely insulated environment Ace or your knowledge of the quality of a farm cat's life is woefully lacking, but staceybeaverhausen is 100% informed when they state that outdoor cats have MUCH shorter lifespans than indoor cats. Based on averages, this is the sad reality and the data is readily available. Your cats have been very fortunate and so have you, but as a vet tech I am aware of how many YOUNG and not-so-young cats lives are cut short in tragic and avoidable accidents simply because they were not accustomed to being indoor cats. OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PETS. Period.

Hugs and sympathy

I'm so sorry for your loss. I had to put down two of my kitties a few years apart not long ago due to cancer as well. I understand, and I send my love <33

I’m sorry for your loss. My old girl was a similar age when she passed in July.

Rebecca O’Donnell

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Ace, I’m so sorry for your loss. Most of the responses to keep cats indoors usually are from people who live in a high traffic area. Those who live in rural areas don’t have much traffic exposure so cats live longer not being hit by cars.

Not necessarily true, there are other threats in rural locations, more predators, etc.

Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your dear sweet Jake. I hope that you have many more long and happy years with your dear sweet Snowflake, your dear sweet James, and your dear sweet Poppy.

then you are lucky. do research, thats where i got my numbers.

My last outdoor cat lived to 20. He never left our garden or our neighbour’s garden.

My rescue cats are outdoor kitties. One aged 13 and the other is 17. There are no predators to hurt them (in England). The only “wildlife” they have killed was a slice of pizza one of them found. Though I think you should do whatever is right for your cat (keep them in or let them out)

That is just not true. It very much depends on how safe the area you are letting them out. With propper care and vaccinations they should live just as long as an indoor cat

Nonsense! How will we get any stealth missions done if we just pampered ravage and never let him off the ship!

You are skewing statistics. A feral cat that lives ONLY outdoors lives an average 5 years. That is not the same as a pet cat that is allowed to go outside.

There are no skewed statistics here...maybe yours are though.

It should be the norm in every country, domestic cats kill billions of animals every year just for the sake of doing it. I have a cat and she could care less if she goes outside.

Not all cats fare well indoors. Especially if they were strays as a kitten (as mine were). It can be detrimental to their mental health to keep them inside. It is important to make sure they have all the propper vaccinations and things to help small animals see/hear them.

All 3 of my cats were stray/feral to begin with, and fare quite well indoors. In fact they haven't even tried to sneak out!

Donald, no it shouldn’t?? My cats bring lots of mice in, and I’m pretty sure no one but me cares about the 50% that are still alive that I rescue and relocate back in the woods.

That's mainly by feral cats?

It isn't an 'opinion'. It's a fact!

No, it's just common sense, and way more healthy for the cat and the local birds, rodents and other wildlife. Please keep domestic cats indoors.

Your comment should have a hundred upvotes Pyla.

That's why you buy the break away kind that easily snaps off

👍 The only one you should use!