AIBU to think cats should not roam unsupervised like dogs?

Domestic cats may not be indigenous, but they've been here since Roman times, so they're very much not a new introduction for native wildlife.

When was the last time a cat mauled or killed someone? And I don't mean the kind you find in Africa, or zoos.

I mean, in your post you said:

Domestic cats - which are not indigenous to the uk - kill around 270 million animals a year. That can’t be right can it?

So I ask you, and all the other posters who seem to think cats are such a huge problem to wildlife in the UK - if we remove cats from the equation, either by culling them or keeping them cooped up in catios cages, what do you propose to to do to deal with the subsequent massive rise in the rodent population?

Oooh nice idea and cheaper than a cattery
X

I have had cats in London my whole life and they have all lived long happy lives outdoors. Cats are smart. Smarter than dogs 😁I accept the risk I run by letting my cats out to roam because I think it’s small and worth the happy outdoorsy lives they live. Having said that, I live on a quiet road and my cats mostly hang out in our big gardens and surrounding big gardens with lots of trees to climb. Cat heaven in the middle of London!

Why not?
Dogs used to roam free.
We then started sticking dogs on a lead.

1. Those animals are indigenous. Domestic cats are not
2. I never metioned stray or feral cats - you made that up
3. How have you managed to extrapolate, from my perfectly calm post, that I would enjoy going around poisoning and shooting cats? Hysterical much?

My cat wears a tracker and I know where he is at all times. Before he was neutered we had to keep him in and it was tricky, even as a kitten he was desperate to get out and explore. Keeping him indoors would be cruel, he’s incredibly active and I think he’d go nuts if he was cooped up. I understand the OP’s concerns about wildlife but only to a point - mice are vermin and my garden is teeming with them. The local corvids play chicken with both cats. The foxes stay away. My ‘baby’ is a one metre long, 2 yr old Maine coon. His interests include climbing trees, sitting in bushes, not coming when he’s called, chasing leaves, hanging out with next door’s girl cat, and, looking at his tracker info, zigzagging across the same area of woodland about 20 times. There’s no equivalent for any of that indoors! I couldn’t do it to him

Where did I say that exactly?

Wow! Are you always so aggressive?

Cats can still be disruptive towards them and scare them without killing them. What lie have I told?

Who the hell has told you that cats kill squirrels and Hedgehogs? I have videos of my cats around a hedgehog that is a frequent visitor and there's no desire from my cats to hunt them or the squirrels that a big in numbers in my area! Don't tell stupid lies please, it really isn't fair or helpful!

Have you tried keeping a cat indoors when they really want to be outside? I had a house cat that wouldn't venture out of the garden. When he passed away we got another kitten & tried keeping him inside. He was having non of it & would escape out of windows or as soon as a door was open he'd dart out. If we didn't open the door for him he'd howl & become distressed so we'd have to let him out. He now only goes around the doors in back gardens & the front street but won't stay inside for more than a couple of hours at a time.

I find this a really bizarre argument, in that it appears to be offering a moral judgement on the cats?

I think it's worth noting that there is a genuine debate about whether cats impact wild bird populations in the UK, and that the RSPB continues to believe they aren't a significant factor.

I live in London and I have had several cats over the years. They have all lived long, happy lives (my longest living died at 24, youngest went at 16).
They all went out on their adventures and were/are very contented. They had/have their vaccinations each year (Including feline AIDS).

If I try to keep them inside (if they have a vet check up for example) they hate it.

Until recently I also had a dog who was great friends with all the cats we had during her lifetime.

You sound like you are not from the UK (USA?).
You also sound quite unwell. I hope you feel better soon.

I definitely think a person should attempt to look for the owner or knock on houses etc. it’s common for cats to continue running to the side of the road and die elsewhere, so drivers will think it’s got away unharmed. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I could pick up a dead animal and put it in my car.

I agree cats need to get outside and roam.

I’ve lived in London all my life and always had cats. They’re fine.

The foxes need to eat, the cats are fed tinned food and then go out and kill wildlife for entertainment.

Tell that to the foxes.

If people were really concerned about wildlife conservation they would be calling for fox numbers to be kept under control.

Foxes live off wildlife. Cats live off supermarket food with the odd bird/mouse.

They have a legal right to roam in the UK, as they should.

YABU, OP.

They are correct to say you don't legally need to report it if you run over Tiddles .
However, it is a kindness to the cat's owner if you contact them if possible.
Not all cats have collars with the owner's details on, but if you take the dead cat to the nearest Vet they can scan it for a microchip and inform the owner that way.
Usually if it has no chip they will dispose of it for you.

I had two indoor cats who lived to the ripe old age of 18 and 19. One was very happy to be an indoor cat and showed no interest of going out and was quite timid by nature, the other was more of a free spirit and jumped out of windows, climbed onto the roof, jumped a very long way down into a basement in central london once tried various other escape routes. There’s no doubt that she instinctively wanted to roam and be free. I got all the toys, scratching pads etc in the world and gave her constant attention, but she always had that need to get out and explore. I do think that most cats by their nature want to roam and actually get very bored living indoors. I wouldn’t get cats again for this reason as I would be concerned about them going outside and getting run over or hurt by someone, as I’ve always lived in cities.

The difference is in the law. Which is why we used to have Dog Licences.

A dog is a Responsible Animal. It can be controlled. That means if Fido runs into the road and causes an accident, you can be held to be liable. Anyone who runs over a dog is legally obliged to report it because dogs, as well as goats, horses, cattle, ass, mules, sheep and pigs, fall within the remit of the Road Traffic Act.

In the UK, dog owners are held responsible if their pet is run over by a car.
The law specifically states that any person who allows a dog to run onto a road off the lead is guilty of an offence.

The owner is also responsible for any veterinary costs and, potentially, for the cost of a repair if a vehicle is involved

Cats need to explore and find their own territory. They're different to dogs. I don't see the problem. You choose the pet you want and which suits your lifestyle. I'm a cat person through and through.

There’s a big argument on my local fb page at the moment. A cat has been killed by a car and left, and the owner has posted an angry message about whoever it is that hasn’t stopped. It’s created a big argument of “cats have the right to roam” vs “don’t legally need to report knocking over a cat”.