AIBU to think cats should not roam unsupervised like dogs?

Cats owners don't care about their 'Tiddles' killing wildlife or shitting in other people's gardens. You are on a losing battle with cat owners, they are totally selfish when it comes to their cats. Perhaps the cat used hypnosis, they all seem pretty oblivious to anything their 'Tiddles' does. Some even let them walk unhygienic paws over kitchen surfaces. Toxiplasmosis...

Cats take themselves out and have a wander, they don't bite or harm people to any significant extent, they actually avoid people mostly unless for a wee hello and a pet, they bury their poop, they don't run about on roads, they don't make loud noise and they routinely bring themselves safely home again. You know dogs do not have anything like that sense or independence. Stop being daft.

Both cats and dogs prefer being outside sometimes.
however, Dogs are not allowed to roam because they can kill people not because of their safety as such. Cats don’t kill people, they kill other animals

Opinion in general. Not opinion on me personally. You've called me specifically cruel, not anything in general.

I'm entitled to my opinion just like everyone else on here.

Yes. Exactly that. Dogs are a free roaming species, by nature, but we have trained them to obey commands and walk on leads, it’s perfectly possible to do this with cats too.

A lady in my village walks a beautiful Maine Coon on a retractable lead, he roams up walls and trees etc, safely tethered to her.

Any thing else youd like to add while youre add it?

Indoor cats are safe from many outdoor hazards, but they frequently suffer from chronic lifestyle conditions, dental problems, and internal organ illnesses. Key conditions include chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and periodontal disease.

I live in a very rural area and my cat is always out - sometimes does not come home for 3-4 days - I know where he is as he has a tracker collar and he loves roaming the fields and climbing trees - he would be totally miserable if kept in

It is due yo the hunting of endangered species.

BBC News - Can Australia curb its killer cats? - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-64806771?app-referrer=deep-link

Fortunately that isn't a major issue in the UK so YABU. Dogs pose a much greater threat which was why the law was changed to prevent them being allowed to roam. I have yet to hear of a cat seriously injuring anyone.

Well my neighbours did. We lived on a very busy road and they didn’t want their cat splattered. It’s not ideal and not all cats can but I would rather know my cat is safe. I love all animals, but I’m not really a cat person. Having said that, my mum had the most wonderful sweet loving cat who I adored. I spent the whole time worrying that he would get hit by a car and killed and he wasn’t even my cat! I think if I had one, I’d have to build a catio!

My cat can’t be bothered with butterflies!

So he can climb the fence, then what? Poor cat is still being forced to not act like a cat It's cruel.

Yep she stays close but (especially in spring) we have a LOT of un-neutered toms wandering and yowling and spraying everywhere and fighting.

It was in a post quoting me. Hence why I thought you were referring to me. Hence why I thought you were accusing me.

Im not quite sure why that’s so tricky to grasp. And yes, a better option would’ve been to @ the person you ridiculously accused of enjoying killing cats.

Chasing butterflies

Exactly. It’s a cage. Cat has no choice but to go into it from inside the house and then do whatever it can inside the catio to be “happy”. The only upside is it’s getting fresh air, downside it can’t wander or do any cat things (yes like hunting). Must be awful as it can see its garden but can’t get to it. The soil, grass, plants, flowers, walls, fences. Climbing and so on is integral to a cat’s life, they enjoy it.

That poster didn't specify feral or stray though!

All the (outdoor) cats I've ever owned have lived until 15/16.

To be fair, the average time a cat lives out on the streets as feral or stray is estimated as about 2 years. Average life expectancy of a "kept" cat whether indoor only or outdoor is around 12.

I never accused you. I accused the person who I quoted lower down in my thread separately, in italics and inverted commas. I thought that clearly indicated it was a quote - so as you know you didn't say that then I can't understand why you thought I was accusing you of saying it rather than someone else?

My only other option would have been to quote you and respond, then immediately do another post quoting the other person.

As for "intrusive" species, I'm guessing this means "invasive species"?

The average cat life span is about 2, for an animal which should easily live to about 15.

The average cat lifespan is not "about 2". Where are you getting this absolute bullshit?

If by 'a bit longer' you mean '1000s of years'.

Good point! 👏

Yes I agree. I’ve lived in a leafy part of London since the 70s and there used to be many more smaller birds - sparrows, tits etc. The noise of the birds at dawn used to be much louder.

There aren’t more cats now in the area than in the 70s so that’s not the reason for the decrease in bird numbers.

And yes the green parakeets are everywhere.