Many states have a law where someone can legally kill animals who wander onto their property. If you put your pet outside, she could wander into the yard of a neighbor who is angry because your cat kills birds or your dog digs up the yard. Cats have been shot for jumping on cars and scratching the paint. Animals that are kept in their own yards could be poisoned, beaten, have their mouths taped shut because of their barking. They are also at risk of being kidnapped by bunchers. These are people who steal dogs and cats to sell for use in experiments. Poisons exist on chemically treated lawns, in bait left out to kill rats or mice, and in auto antifreeze—which has an appealing taste—that leaks from cars. Every year, thousands of animals are preyed upon by cruel people. They take pleasure in torturing and killing animals...many do this "just for fun." Cats and dogs have been microwaved, dismembered, sexually assaulted, hanged, set on fire, bludgeoned, buried alive....tortured and killed in any way this person think of. Pet owners make it way to easy for these predators by leaving their pets outside unattended. Pets who are allowed to roam outdoors are exposed to highly contagious and deadly diseases such as rabies, parvovirus and feline leukemia. Dogs who spend most of their time outdoors are more likely to contract heartworms through mosquito bites. Even if your cat is vaccinated, it runs the risk of serious diseases: Leukemia - The vaccine for feline leukemia, although valuable, provides about 80% - 85% protection, leaving your pet still at some risk of contacting leukemia, a deadly disease transmitted basically by saliva, from another cat. FIV - Feline Immunodeficiency Virus - FIV is a disease that compromises the immune system of the cat. There is no vaccine for FIV, and there is no cure. FIV is generally transmitted between cats by biting. A blood test determines if the cat is FIV positive. Scientific evidence indicates FIV is not communicable to humans. A number of stray cats are FIV positive, and your cat runs a significant risk of FIV contact with these outdoor cats. For more information regarding FIV, contact your veterinarian. Dogs need exercise. Make time to take your dog on a long walk at least once a day or play in a fenced-in area. Cats can learn to enjoy walking on a leash. All my cats were trained to walk on a leash and we enjoyed many leasurely walks. The best time is to start when they are young. You DO need lots of patience though. You first have to let the cat get used to the harness by wearing it for a few hours every day before taking her outside. Stay close to your cat and away from traffic or other loud noises and be prepared to dawdle. Don't pull on the leash or she will simply lie down and most importantly, do not leave your cat tied outside on a leash unattended. Make sure your pet always wear identification. Microchips and tattoos can help when lost animals are taken to shelters. A collar with your name and current telephone number helps anyone find you. Make Life Inside Fun -- Toys, playtime with you, a window to look out of, scratching posts, and a few twigs of catnip from time to time more than compensate for the risks your cat faces outdoors. Have your cat spayed or neutered, preferably before he or she is six months old. This will reduce the risk of several health problems, minimize offensive spraying or other territorial behaviour and prevent your cat from contributing to the tragic problem of pet overpopulation. There is no reason not to spay or neuter your cat. Trim your cat’s claws every few weeks. (Your veterinarian can show you how.) This will reduce her need to scratch and the damage to your furniture. Provide scratching boxes or posts that are acceptable to your cat. Stability is important to make sure your cat doesn’t choose the couch instead. Some cats are horizontal scratchers while others generally scratch vertically so you will need to provide the appropriate scratching places. Cats love to perch up high and observe the world outside from a sofa by the window, a ledge attached to the windowsill, or a cat tree with perches. A bird feeder outside the window will provide hours of entertainment. Supply toys that will appeal to your cat’s hunting and stalking instincts. Simple items such as ping pong balls, crumpled balls of paper, or toys hanging on a string can make for great games of ‘chase and pounce.’ Do not leave string lying around as cats will eat it, causing them serious harm. A screened porch or enclosed balcony provides a perfect haven for your cat to get fresh air in a safe environment. Cats will jump off balconies, so make sure it is enclosed with screening to prevent your cat from escaping. Cats have been domesticated for hundreds of years as companions to humans. Since they are no longer wild animals, they need our care and protection. In return they provide us with entertainment, company and can even improve our health. So please take the time to understand them, love them and appreciate them and you will be rewarded for many years. FastCounter by bCentral Created 08/27/05