Outdoors can be a cruel and dangerous place for an unattended
cat. "Possum", a 2yr old domestic cat was trapped on Friday night around 9pm and shot 27 times with an air rifle at point-blank
range in the head and mouth. Luckily, he survived but not without huge
vet bills and emotional stress.
Yes, the finger can be pointed at the cruel humans that
maliciously harm animals but why not question the cat owners
themselves? No one should purposely injure an animal but outdoor cats
can also be considered "pests" to some, similar to rats, mice, roaches,
etc. They trespass on other homeowners properties, sometimes
destroying their lawns, ponds etc. These homeowners spend the time and
money to upkeep their home and possessions and train their own pets to
respect this property only to have someone else's cat continue to
destroy it. Now, in no way should they harm the cat, the proper thing
a citizen should do who finds themselves with a "pesky" cat would be to
take it to the nearest animal shelter, or bring it back to the
destination on the cat's tag to confront the owners about the cat's behavior. But keep in mind, some humans are not so polite as proved
in the case of "Possum".
Cats are domesticated pets and should not be left out to roam on
their own. They can get into dangerous and even fatal substances and
situations forcing owners to pay substantial vet
bills. Antifreeze is a popular killer of outdoor cats along with being
hit by a car, wild animal attacks, accidental trapping, and human
cruelty. It is unsafe not only for your cat but can be for the humans
they come in contact with. If you have children, an outdoor cat can
also bring in disease, fleas an any other dangerous substances they
have come in contact with, therefore transmitting it to your child when
he/she pets the cat. The only way to keep your loving pet safe is in
your own home and on your own property where you can monitor what they
eat and play with.
There are many
pet supplies to help you provide a comfortable environment for your cat. If you feel your cat needs to roam the outdoors, there are
cat harnesses and
cat leashes
that allow owners to take their cats for a safe walk as well as pet
strollers. Take advantage of these items to keep your pet and faimly
healthy and safe.
~Your Friends at PetKaboodle