Cats love being outside for the fresh air, the freedom and to enjoy the sunshine as well as the chance to run around and get some exercise. Aside from the possible legal implications of letting your pet cat roam free, there are dangers to you cat and its health.
There is much debate about confining cats to your property based around the impact that they cause to the environment when running free.
Research has shown that aside from disease, the majority of incidents involving cats occur at night. Whether its a traffic accident, harm to surrounding wildlife (Pet cats kill an average of 16 mammals, 8 birds and 8 reptiles every year. 900 000 pet cats by 32 wildlife each per year = 29 million wildlife (DPI Australia)) or an injury to your cat from a fight. This has lead local councils to actively encourage owners to keep their pets inside at night to prevent harm through injury or disease whilst protecting our endangered wildlife in the surrounding community.
Recent studies from the US suggest that town cats are more stressed than rural cats because their territory is smaller and they spend much of their time protecting it against rivals. They also found that city cats crossed the paths of at least 10 other felines a day, and half had to deal with rivals entering their home to steal food.
As part of the study, scientists have used miniature cameras and GPS trackers to find out where and why cats do their business. Perhaps not surprisingly, they've found that they pee in neighbours' yards to mark the edge of what they consider their territory. The behaviour was revealed when tiny cameras and GPS trackers were fitted to nine pets for eight days.
It found the average moggy spends 12 hours a day snoozing in a favourite resting place, usually where it can keep an eye on its territory.
As a leading example of these laws being passed in Australia, The Cat Bill 2011 has been tabled in parliament in Western Australia to provide for the control and management of cats as well as promoting the responsible ownership of cats.
The bill covers the following topics: Registration and tagging, Microchipping, Sterilisation, Transfer of ownership of cats, Changes to recorded information, control notices, Seizing cats, Dealing with cats at management facilities, Restrictions on breeding cats, Becoming an approved breeder, Administration, Delegations, Particular powers of authorised persons, Warrants, Infringement notices, Objections and review, Legal proceedings, Regulations, Local laws.
There are many different options for confining your cat to your property ranging from small cages through to a run or enclosure down the side of your house. These can be built from net, wire, fencing or a number of other options. A quick search of the internet will show you the many different options available either professionally installed or there are countless D.I.Y. instruction guides.
Having a Cat Enclosure or Cat Run allows your cat the freedom of being outside whilst protecting them from potential dangers... Here is a summary of some of the benifits of confining your cat to your property.
Cats Live Longer
- They don't go missing
- They don't get hit by traffic
- They don't accidentally get locked in sheds/garages
- Cats are protected from rapidly spreading Feline Aids & Feline Panleukopenia (Cat Plague)
- Cats are safe from pesticides in neighbouring gardens
- Your pet is protected from feral cats
Happier Neighbours
- No cats roaming around in their gardens
- No digging up their plant pots
- No cat mess in their garden
- No cats catching birds that are welcome visitors in their garden
Environmentally Friendly
- Hunting of wildlife isn't possible if your cat is confined
- You have total control over what your cat eats
Lower Cost
- Less chance of injury occurring from traffic or cat fights
- Less chance of your cat picking up disease or infections
and this means lower vet bills!
Owners Get to Spend More Time With Their Cat
- Quality time with your cat in your garden
- Totally safe environment
