All Cats Should Be Indoors  By Maggie Busser

    Domestic cats (Felis catus), tamed by Egyptians about 4,000 years ago, are descendants of the wild cat of Africa and southwestern Asia. Nationally today, there are over 77 million pet cats and an additional 60 to 100 million homeless stray cats. A number of pet-cat owners allow their cats to roam outdoors, but this practice puts both wildlife and especially the cat at risk.

• Cars and other vehicles are a leading cause of feline fatalities. In addition, accidents between cars are often     caused when a driver swerves to miss a cat in the road.
• Free-roaming cats may be exposed to a number of diseases including rabies, feline leukemia and feline    immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Some of these diseases can be transmitted to humans and others are fatal to    cats.
• Poisons in bait to kill rats or mice, chemically treated lawns and even auto antifreeze (which has an appealing    taste) can be ingested by free- roaming cats.
• Outdoor cats frequently pick up fleas and ticks. Not only do these pests cause anemia, skin irritations and    allergies, they can also be brought into the home where humans may become bitten and infected.
• Outdoor cats suffer a variety of conflicts with other cats, dogs, coyotes, raccoons and foxes. These fights    cause serious injuries or death.
• Unfortunately, cruel people inflict pain and suffering on a number of outdoor cats. Children and disturbed adults    have been the cause of cats being burned, poisoned and tortured.
• When cats get lost, fewer than five percent taken in by shelters are reunited with their families.
• Threats to wildlife, domestic cats are not a part of the natural ecosystem. A single individual free-roaming cat    (even one with a bell on its collar) may kill 100 or more birds and mammals per year. Outdoor-pet cats do not    kill for foodbut for play.
• Free-roaming cats can be nuisances to the neighborhoods by rummaging through trash, digging up gardens and    defecating in yards and sandboxes.

    The lifespan of an indoor cat far exceeds that of an outdoor one: indoor cats can live up to 20 years, indoor-outdoor cats live an average of eight-ten and outdoor cats only survive about five years. Even an outdoor cat can be trained to live indoors by introducing the concept slowly and providing additional attention and play toys. In addition, a cat that has never been outdoors will not have the desire to go out. An indoor cat is a happy, healthy and safe cat.