Living Indoors Versus Outdoors for Cats

Hi there. CAT Stanley here again. Today I just want to touch base with all of you and make sure you’re safe indoors. Not only for this holiday weekend but on a permanent basis, cats are much safer indoors than out.

For those of you who saw our last post on where outdoor cats go, you saw some of the dangers these cats encountered. That’s an unacceptable risk that’s just not necessary.

Our friends at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) encourage the keeping of all cats indoors too. In fact, they have two different policy statements that address that very issue. Keep in mind that many municipalities use these policies when writing their own local ordinances and/or laws.

Here is the relevant portion of the AVMA’s policy on Free-roaming Abandoned and Feral Cats:

The AVMA strongly supports reducing the number of unowned free-roaming abandoned and feral cats through humane capture (with placement in homes where appropriate) by local health departments, humane societies, and animal control agencies. All free-roaming abandoned and feral cats that are not in managed colonies should be removed from their environment and treated in the same manner as other abandoned and stray animals in accord with local and state ordinances. State and local agencies should adopt and enforce ordinances that:

• Prohibit the sale or adoption of intact cats by humane organizations and animal control agencies.
• Require licensing, rabies vaccination, and permanent animal identification through microchipping of all cats.
• Encourage that owned cats be kept indoors, in an outdoor enclosure, or on a leash. Cats in rural areas must be confined to the property.
• Prohibit public feeding of intact free-roaming abandoned and feral cats.
• Prevent establishment of managed cat colonies in wildlife-sensitive ecosystems.

And here is their policy on Free Roaming, Owned Cats: ·

The AVMA encourages veterinarians to educate clients and the public about the dangers associated with allowing cats free-roam access to the outdoors.

Free-roaming cats may be exposed to injury, suffering, and death from vehicles; attacks from other animals; human cruelty; poisons; and traps. Additionally, these cats are more likely to be exposed to feline-specific and zoonotic diseases, and will prey on and can negatively impact native wildlife populations.

So, you’ll find me safely tucked away indoors. I’m perfectly happy to keep an eye on the comings and goings of my neighborhood through the windows. After all, I’ve got it pretty good here. Why ruin a good thing? I hope all of you are safe indoors too.