Why outdoor pet cats are bad...

[NW Admin]

I think that outdoor pet cats are ok in special situations like on a farm or some place where they have a purpose and are not near traffic and busy cities. And only if they have been spayed/neutered.

Cats should not be allowed to roam neighborhoods where there are lots of houses and vehicles. It's just asking for trouble. Especially for the people who do not spay or neuter them. Everyone wants to feed the cat meowing at the door, but no one wants to take responsibillity for stopping it from making more cats.

We are seeing an increase in the number of cats in our neighborhood. I know of 3 houses that are leaving food out for them. In fact, my neighbor just got a 3rd new kitten and has added to the rest of the outdoor cats. Not that I want them to starve out there, but helping them to breed is not the answer.

Here are three prime examples why these cats should not be allowed to roam the town:

1. If not treated monthly, they become infested with fleas and other illnesses which spread. The cat next door had fleas so bad that it had bald spots and sores.

2. I had a cat get into my car engine one winter to stay warm. I didn't know, started the car, and all the flesh was torn off his tail leaving the bone exposed. I had to deal with getting him medical treatment.

3. They are hit by cars and left for dead. Hubby and I found a small kitten in the gas station parking lot. Someone hit him with their car and he had been suffering for a long time. One eye was bulging and bleeding. Both eyes were infected. He had road rash in several places and one front leg was completely limp and he couldn't walk on it. Because I couldn't afford the medical treatment, he had to be put down.

4. Cats are attacked by other animals.

5. During winter, they freeze to death.

6. If they get somewhere where no one is feeding them, they may starve to death.

So don't feed cats in your neighborhood. Instead, capture them and take them to a rescue, animal shelter, or humane society. If you want cats of your own, keep them in your house. I know they want to go out, but it's for their own good.