These are some rare cats that cat haters are around. I don't really like cats myself, aside from my own cat.
Why? I think it is healthier to let people out even though I know there is the certainty that some bad things will happen. They'll get their feelings hurt if nothing else. I don't fault parents for trying their best to protect their children in ways that I wouldn't choose. Often they are doing what seems best to them and they love their kids as much as I do. And their circumstances are different. Why should the cat issue be so different? If you live right next door to the highway or the middle of NYC your cats (and children) face different challenges than someone who lives on 30 acres in Montana. I can't relate to getting upset about people letting their indoor cats out during the day as those are the cats that are generally fixed. Our neighborhood has got a problem with wild cats, large wild dog packs, people training their dogs for illegal dog fights, possums, prostitution, domestic violence, drug dealing... Domesticated cats leaving paw prints on my car are pretty low on my complaint list. If that's the worst problem you have with your neighbors, take a moment to count your blessings.
I can see the OP sitting behind his screen door in a cold sweat staring at a horde of rabid (Well-Groomed) cats taking over his back yard. All the time rampidly typing away on CF.net pleading his case of the danger it is causing society as a whole. If your kids are allergic to cats and your fighting a war with them in your back yard you have just a few options to choose from. 1)Shoot the cats with a BB gun. (wont kill them but it will make them remember to stay out of your yard) 2)Put your kids in a bubble.
Well, I think neighbors that lack the respect of their neighbors property by allowing their pets to leave their yard are at the very least inconsiderate, and are putting their pets lives in danger. Irresponsible pet ownership, no matter how you slice it. DD
This is kind of a silly comparison. I don’t think you can compare a mountain lion mauling your child to death to a 7 pound cat leaving a paw print on your car… Look, I understand what you are trying to say – and I actually agree with it. People SHOULD take better care of their cats and dogs. We have a cat and we never let it outside. It’s mostly because we don’t want fleas in the house, but I see your point. I guess my issue is that I don’t think the neighborhood cats that roam around our yard pose anything more than a VERY MINOR nuisance. As far as annoying things about my neighborhood go, a stray cat sleeping on my lawn chair or wandering into my garage while I'm working doesn’t even register on my radar.
I think its just the area, our neighbors cat regularly sleeps on our front porch for reasons unknown, and we barely pay it any attention and if we do notice it we probably pet it. Yet I have family in Austin and those folks in YankeeLand, TX seem to think that the definition of a poor pet owner is one that lets their animal outside. Seriously choose your battles wisely, some people get ass-hurt over the smallest of things.
Like I said before, cats are incredibly perceptive entities, and it appears they have targeted our resident cat haters for special attention.
If the cat wants outside and you're confident it won't get hurt (not near a busy street, no plethora of stray cats to get into fights with), let it out. If your neighbor has a problem with it, they're free to tell you and it at which point you should be considerate and restrict your cat as much as you can. That being said, people who have issues with domesticated cats roaming the span of a few houses either have ailurophobia (fear of cats) or a stick up their butt. Domestic cats are not a thread to anyone. The argument about cats affecting the endangered wildlife in the area is laughable. Really? Seriously? Endangered wildlife? And a domestic cat is going to hunt it all down? Feral cats are another issue (as they carry diseases and the like), but then again, we're not talking about feral cats, are we? We're talking about cats that typically live inside, are occasionally freed from their prison, and are healthy with up-to-date shots.
Yeah. Your neighbor's cat in your yard is REALLY destroying your lifestyle and is a HUGE distraction, right?
i'll chime in....i'm not exactly an animal person and i've very allergic to cats. we moved into our new place months back and turns out, my neighbor has like 15 cats. most are in the house, most started out as street cats (roaming all over my house that has pier and beam) but they do trap them, neuter them, get their shots and put them inside their home. so for the most part, they are not around anymore, but when i first moved in, i'd regularly see like 4-5 outside in a 10 min span. i'm the same as others, i don't like them walking all over my back patio and in my plants mostly b/c i'm allergic and i should be allowed to enjoy my property without worrying about asthma and all my other symptons. and i have had cat paws all up and down my brand new car and i hardly ever park outside. i wasn't thrilled about it. i know it can be washed away, but when you don't like cats to begin with, it's an irritation. and like what dada said, they should be taking care of the cat and watching it. and yes, within my 7 mths of living here, i've stepped in cat poo twice and have smelled it in my yard at least 4 times. also, i see bird feathers in my backyard and i can't help but to think cat was chasing it. saying that, my brother has a house cat and he doesn't let him out. only a few minutes supervised every couple of months but that's it. i think the key is that people who love cats and have them roaming all over the place, just know, not everyone is like you!! be a bit more understanding.
So based on your opinion, based no doubt on your experience with your cat who you say is happy even though he's full of BB holes, that he's happy being outside, you decide that he's happier outside than he would be inside, and thus cats as a whole are happier outside? I disagree, and I've had cats all my life, both indoor cats and outside cats. But even if you think they're happier outside, how could they possibly know that they're likely to die in 4 years, or make a decision based on that knowledge? I think it's up to us to protect them the best way we can. And you didn't respond to my question about other animals. Why is it just cats that you think would want to roam free, and not every other species of pet?
Do you write this in your Diary everynight before bed? I think I've stepped in dog crap before but never have I kept a count of it. Let it be a lesson to you, before you invest in a home, make sure you become familiar with your surroundings.
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