Is this irresponsible behavior?

[consdrs]

Sure if you don't mind your kid seeing your flattened kitty on the road on the way to the bus in the morning... or you don't mind them being coyote food... or you don't mind cat poo in your garden next to your tomatoes... or you don't mind starting up your car on a cold morning and then have to hose off kitty guts off the inside of your engine before work... or you don't mind my 2 dogs tearing it to shreds in my fenced back yard... Or you don't mind if it comes in one morning with half its face torn off and its ear hanging on by a thread... Then if you don't mind all of the above things happening to your precious kitty... then by all means let it out.

I guess you could look at it this way, then you get to get a NEW kitten every couple of years. they are the most fun any way... we never had "OLD" cats when I was growing up. they always met an untimely demise. but then they reproduce like rabbits so we always had someone we knew who had kittens to "get rid of".


BTW all of the above happened to a cat of mine or a cat of my neighbors.

Connie

 

[sealsandwich]

Quote:
Why do you ask?

Well, honestly...

I was reading a thread last night about a lady that was worried about feral cats getting her chickens. I know that my cats chase chickens, they do my own... I have not lost any chickens, but I know-especially watching Pedro-that it is just a matter of time. He really is practicing his skill. I keep hoping the roo will bop him around the yard a time or two, and that he'll quit. But that is another long kitty tail...

My cats really do seem to stay in the yard, but I am not stupid enough to think that they never leave. I am the only person, as far as I know, within quite a distance that has chickens. But I know my Aunt absolutely hates her neighbors cats because she sets out birdfeeders and the cats are always hunting. And I really do understand how that could make you mad if a cat came in your yard and messed up "your nature channel."

I also happen to be one of those people that love to jump on the bandwagon against people who let their dogs run. I really really hate it and have lost an entire flock of chickens to that. I hate dogs.....except when the are cute and puppies OR old and gray. Then, I do love them. But anyway...

I started thinking.......... Am I just as guilty? But I didn't want to exactly post that way because I didn't want anyone telling me yes. lol Thus, the non-informational question.

Edited to answer general questions.... My cats are fixed and are reasonably safe outside. I do accept the consequences. I just would feel horrible if it were my animal that killed someone's chickens. I cannot keep these cats inside. I have five kids under 10, and not a single one of them have been trained to close a door. I have been working on it for years now with MANY methods. This is a genuine excuse. Anyone with kids here I hope could appreciate that.

 

[Wifezilla]

I have five kids under 10, and not a single one of them have been trained to close a door.

I have a 19 year old, a 21 year old, and a 45 year old (hubby counts as a kid sometimes...LOL). They are about as good at shutting doors and gates as they are putting down the toilet seat. They have even left the gate to the back yard open while the ducks are out. Good thing the ducks don't like to get too far away from their treat source

 

[Calebs Acre]

Have to admit that I haven't read the entire thread, so if I am repeating, I am sorry.
1. Is you cat vaccinated for everything it can catch being outside and possibly being exposed to other cats? and
2. Do you live far enough away from the highway and busy streets that the cat is unlikely to be hit by a car? and
3. Is your cat outdoor-saavy? Has the cat ever been outside before? If not, then an enclosure might be better than free-ranging.
4. Does your cat have all of its claws so that it can climb out of danger's path if necessary and defend itself? and
5. As other mentioned, is your area free from major predators, including free roaming neighborhood dogs? and

It might work well if you start the cat off in an enclosure and then gradually let it free for increasingly longer periods of time. Hope that helps.

I really think the issue of responsibilty vs. irresponsibility depends on your area and environment and your commitment to monitoring the cat's safety before just letting it go out. Hope this helps and isn't too repetitive.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

I see no problem with letting your cats out as long as there is no imminent danger to them. Of course, accidents can happen. When I used to have house cats, I always thought it did them good to get out and get some fresh air.

 

[LizzyJo]

I appreciate your honesty and your concern that your cats may be bothering your neighbors. I have neighbors that have complained to me at different times over the years concerning different cats that we have had. If they have a specific concern I try to take care of it. For instance, one neighbor said that my cats were pooping in her flowerbed. So now I go over every couple of days and clean it up--the very least I can do and she's happy.

But as far as training kids . . .

I have five kids under 10, and not a single one of them have been trained to close a door. I have been working on it for years now with MANY methods. This is a genuine excuse. Anyone with kids here I hope could appreciate that.

Oh, I can appreciate that. I went to my daughter's house yesterday (she's 31!) and used her bathroom off the master bedroom (the one that not everyone sees) and the girl has still not learned to change a roll of toilet paper! Apparently her husband doesn't know how to do it either! The roller had no toilet paper on it. There was a full roll on the floor. There were MANY empty rolls sitting on the counter and on the back of the toilet! I had to bite my tongue (literally) and get out of there. I worked on those girls for years trying to teach them that one small skill. I'm going to avoid the bathrooms at the other daughters' houses.​

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

yes

if you live in city they are a nuisance to others and may be killed in a variety of horrible ways

if you live in the country they are coyote bait, are a nuisance to others and may be killed in a variety of horrible ways

we have a lot of cats (lots!) and except for 2 very wiley, previously feral, barncats they all live inside

we brought one of the barncats inside and he has no interest in being outside whatsoever.

- momma of The Insane Cat Posse

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Quote:
I have a 19 year old, a 21 year old, and a 45 year old (hubby counts as a kid sometimes...LOL). They are about as good at shutting doors and gates as they are putting down the toilet seat. They have even left the gate to the back yard open while the ducks are out. Good thing the ducks don't like to get too far away from their treat source

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one. I have resorted to telling them, if they don't mind the bugs in the house then by all means, leave the door open. The youngest still doesn't get it.

 

[mrsengeseth]

Depends on the cat, the neighbors and neighborhood, the predators, shots/vaccinations....etc

I have one neighbor cat that comes into my yard all the time to sit in the tree and watch the neighborhood go by. She just lays on a limb all day and lounges. Never once saw her on the ground except to get into and out of the tree. The other neighbors cat comes in and uses my yard as a litter box...i can't stand that. And her response is "cats will be cats". I wouldn't let my cat out because I don't want mine making someone else as crazy as the the garden litter box cats makes me. I think it would be irresponsible of me to let my cat crap and pee all over other peoples yards. Even if my cat was like the tree-sitter instead.

 

[LizzyJo]

Hey mrsengeseth, nice dog!