The Public Opinion Soapbox

onewhoknows · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 68

Some of you obviously are missing the point. If you really cared so much for the cats they would not be outside. Cars - Guns - Rabid animals - Poison - Diseases - Dogs - irate neighbors. All the above are perilous to the welfare of the cat. Such a shame. People say they care but what you are writing states otherwise. Sad indeed, for the cat.
_________________
onewhoknows
Common sense is not so common

anonymous_coward · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 564

i really just wanted to post to see if my avatar worked

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

This about sums it up, but bears repeating.

Bobo · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Chambersburg

Oh contrare, Coppy. I have had many, many cats. I have three right now, as a matter of fact.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2617 Location: Chambersburg

Bobo · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Chambersburg

No Coppy, they're not outside cats. They go in and out as they please through a pet door.
_________________
The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands. ~Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life, 1923

onewhoknows · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 68

Then, yes, they are outside cats exposed to all the bad monsters that await them when they go through that door - It only takes once. Is tomorrow the day your cat does not come home, or comes home poisoned, injured by a car, dog attack or bullet? I know a person who had an inside/outside cat for years. I suggested the welfare of the cat was at risk due to the road they lived near. "Oh my cat never goes out near the road" she said. She would not listen and one day she called in tears because the cat she loved so dearly was killed by a car.
_________________
onewhoknows
Common sense is not so common

anonymous_coward · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 564

are you suggesting that allowing a cat to be outside is tantamount to animal abuse or neglect?

onewhoknows · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 68

Here is part of the animal cruelty law. What is your opinion? Look at the term "neglect". Legally, it is a stretch, but the life of the cat, when allowed to roam, is without any doubt in jeopardy.

PA Crimes Code Title 18, Section 5511
(c) Cruelty to animals.--

(1) A person commits an offense if he wantonly or

cruelly illtreats, overloads, beats, otherwise abuses any

animal, or neglects any animal as to which he has a duty of

care, whether belonging to himself or otherwise, or abandons

any animal, or deprives any animal of necessary sustenance,

drink, shelter or veterinary care, or access to clean and

sanitary shelter which will protect the animal against

inclement weather and preserve the animal's body heat and

keep it dry.
_________________
onewhoknows
Common sense is not so common

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2617 Location: Chambersburg

Mavis · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

Very cute Coppy! I have a small house and sometimes my cats go stir-crazy and I wish I could let them out for a bit. But I live in a town so I don't want to risk them getting hit by a car or bothering others.

When I was growing up we lived in a low traffic/low population area and had indoor/outdoor cats. They were neutered and lived a long time and seemed happier than my indoor cats today.

I have read that outdoor cats have a shortened lifespan of about 7 years, while indoor cats can live to more than 20 years.

If I lived on about 5-10 acres, away from roads and other people, though, I think I'd have indoor/outdoor cats.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2617 Location: Chambersburg

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

Arghh. No more LOLcats!! It's so twee!! My teeth ache!

It is tantamount to people abuse!!

(The fat grey one is pretty precious)
_________________
Nevermind.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2617 Location: Chambersburg

I'm a sucker for Internet-induced pop-culture; as much as I want to hate it, I just can't! Besides, if I can't take the thread seriously, then I need to inject some overly-ridiculous, if not tired Internet humor... isn't that what message boards are about anyway? Pwned!

If you need me, I'll be watching the "Evolution of Dance" video on YouTube.

Razz

(I can't sneak anything by you either chel, I figured no one on these boards would have a clue was LOLcats were anyway)