To think cats shouldn’t be allowed out without owners

[DoBeDoBeDooo]

The other thread about cats vs dogs has made me realise I’m not alone in my feelings about cats being allowed to roam freely, kill wildlife, and crap all over the place.

Why is it one rule for dogs and another for cats? It’s doesn’t make any sense really, when you think about it.

Shouldn’t the same rules apply: cats can be walked on leads and owners must pick up after them or risk fines etc?

They give serial killer vibes.

I’ve got a 14yo cat who was born in a barn and has preferred to live outside most of her life. She lives in my garden, sleeps in our caravan and hunts in the garden, keeping pests down. She comes in the house in the winter when it’s cold and likes to be fed then, although isn’t fussed if we feed her or not in spring and summer. As she’s getting older she is turning up more for food and we take her to the vet if we feel that she needs any care.

She would have hated being an indoor cat. She never leaves our garden, it is her territory so she is no bother to anyone else.

Cats aren’t domesticated in the same way as dogs. Dogs have lived with humans for thousands of years longer than cats, and have been selectively bred, much more so than cats. Cats have minimal genetic changes compared to their wild ancestors.

I remember one from my childhood.

His name was Basil.

Or the cat just prefers shitting outside so doesn't use the tray.

Of course we are😂

I selfishly rescued all 5 of my moggies, who despite having 50+ acres on which to roam freely, kill wildlife, and crap, don't tend to roam much further than the hay barn.

Did try a harness and leash on my old cat, it did not go well 😂

Hehe I cant even get my cat in to take her to the vet especially when shes sunbathing on the roof or staring at me through the kitchen skylight. She pleases herself and rules this house

So does my dog given half the chance…..having been a cat owner all my life thought my days of cleaning up half eaten mice on my back step was over. Then I got a rescue puppy she has such a high prey drive she has spent an hour in the garden this evening chasing mice or little rodents about in the garden. The last cat had a buddy magpie who followed him around waiting for leftovers, 4 yrs on he still comes to make sure nothing left for him.

It's a perfectly valid question, OP, and I say this as an incorrigible cat lover.
Cats kill millions of birds and small mammals every year in the UK - creatures whose populations are already in catastrophic decline. Cats do NOT just kill vermin, far from it.
The UK could follow the model of some Australian states and prohibit cats from roaming beyond their owner's property. It's up to the owner to police this so generally it means that cats are confined to the house.
This isn't a natural environment for cats, though, as they need to exercise and play. One compromise would be to keep them in at night when much of the killing takes place.

Yes especially considering those headlines you see every week ‘woman mauled by cat’ - oh wait…maybe that’s why OP 🙄

Where I live there are loads of cats. I’m sick of cat shit in my garden. I can’t get my head around why it’s seen as acceptable yet dog shit isn’t. Neither is acceptable actually.

Put anti vandal paint along the top of fences ... they really dont like it. Should really have a sign up saying you've got anti vandal paint - beware.

I don’t hate cats.

Obviously I was being sarcastic to point out the ridiculousness of the PP. If it’s okay to let cats kill birds (for fun), because birds kill worms (for food), then by the same logic would it not be okay to let dogs kill cats (for fun)? There’s plenty of cats, it wouldn’t harm their numbers if a dog killed some of them, would it?

They don’t like being soaked with the hosepipe either, but doesn’t seem to stop them coming back. Seems they don’t learn like other animals.

Is this for the benefit of the cats whose owners have taught them to read?

No, it’s because it’s a legal requirement to have signs up if you use anti-vandal paint.

😂😂😂😂

Yes, but the cat isn't going to give a toss about the law, your sign, or your anti-vandal paint.

No, but I think their owners might when they can’t get it off their fur, and they’ve trailed it all over their floors and soft furnishings. The whole point being anti-vandal paint doesn’t come out of anything.

Right, and the cat has still been on your fence. Meanwhile, the sign does nothing to protect you from a claim for damages, because cats are free agents, the sign has no relevance, and you are the one responsible for the resultant mess.

Actually, there is no legal basis for this at all.

The police recommend this paint to prevent burglaries and trespassing. It’s perfectly legal, provided it’s used above 2m and signs are used.

If your cat comes home covered in it, that’s your problem, nothing to do with the person who has used legal means to protect their own property. As someone said earlier, it’s not illegal and there’s nothing you can do about it.

hmm, why may little kitten roaming the streets be a tad different to a rottweiler taking himself out of a stroll??? 🤔🤔🤔Can't think of anything, you are right, OP.

The sign protects you from claims when someone has entered your property and received damage as a result. The vast bulk of adults can read, most children can read, the sign provides adequate forewarning.

Cats can not read, they are not legal entities. As far as the law is concerned the cat has every right to enter your property, the sign is wholly, and utterly irrelevant.

In the event that the cat then trails anti-vandal paint all over someone else's property, it is materially no different than if you had personally taken the pot of paint and thrown it over their property yourself. The cat is a total non-factor.

This 'kills millions of birds in the UK' thing - do you have any source for that?

Only my parents had a hunter, and he mainly had rabbits and the occasional mouse (he liked to lick frogs/toads that sat in their lawn, but didn't eat them)

My cats aren't hunters, but when young and eager they brought in a couple of mice, a frog, and once an indignant robin who came back and berated us all every day for a week.

On the other hand I have to keep my chickens in because there are owls and foxes who come after them, and I did lose one to a local dog that got out.

What I'm saying is, are you sure that you're not exaggerating/biased? As my experience just doesn't tally with this 'millions of birds' thing.

Of course. I’ve spent ages on it and I found no such evidence. This is why I’m so eager to see what you found. It would be a valuable contribution to the debate.