You have to keep them in if you want to keep them safe. They will get used to it. Or buy a folding kennel and use it. I saw a homemade one that was made of window screens. I also saw a photo of a large cat house someone made for their cats. There was a window they go out and then they would be in a screened room with stairs and places up high where they could see out from high up.

I agree with Vala, it's the only way to keep them safe. I've always kept my cats indoors. But just because they are used to being able to go outside doesn't mean it's hopeless. Two of my neighbour's cats were feral, and they tamed them and keep them indoors. When the weather is nice, they harness them and put them on a long lead so they can get fresh air. They just never leave them unattended when they're out. I don't leave my dogs unattended when they're out either.

However, it takes a really sick mind to hurt an animal. I hope they catch this person and I hope he gets punished.

Yes. Unfortunately your cats will have to be indoor cats for a time to keep them safe.

On a side note good to see you post. How are you doing these days Marcy?

We had a cat who spent her days outside (they always come in at their dinnertime, about 5.30pm) until she got feline AIDS. Then we kept her indoors all the time as she couldn't be exposed to other cats and their germs with her compromised immune system. She spent her last 9 years as an indoor cat except for brief forays into the garden, supervised, on a leash. She seemed happy enough.
Our other cat likes to spend her days outside and chafes for a while if she is kept in due to inclement weather, planned outings on our part (if we're going to be away until after dark the cat stays in) or for other reasons. After a while she settles and goes to sleep in one of her favourite spots.
I'd keep my cats in all the time if I lived in your neighborhood, I'm sure they will get used to it.

My Lottiecat, who died just 2 months ago, had been an indoor/outdoor cat I think when I got her.

She was for some reason a stray when she showed up at a friend's. I brought her home and she became an indoor cat. She did want out and would dash for the door every chance she had. If she did get out, I brought her right back in. It took a while but she finally gave up and was content to be inside. She became the sweetest, most loving cat I ever had. I had her for 16 years, so I think she was 17-18 years old when she died.

Before I got her I had indoor/outdoor cats, but I had learned that indoors is best for them, especially health wise. They will adapt.

So sorry to hear about your neighbor's dog.

Sue

The reason that the city said he couldn't bury the dog is that as the dog decomposes, the rat poison will contaminate the earth.

I'm sorry the dog died, but I wish the owner had done what was requested of him.

Nonsense. The dog who died of the rat poion is not toxic to ground water LOL. What of all the rats that rot into the ground after being poisoned?

Many cities have ordinances saying it is illegal to bury pets in backyards. But when asked for an explanation most cities have no plausible answer so they fall back on the environmental issue.

Most vets I have talked to offer to look the other way if you wish to take your animal home to be buried. I've been asked several times if I wanted to take my pet home. If there was a danger I am sure the vets would advise against home burial as when parvo might be involved for example.

If dead animals leaching into our water systems were such a real threat then the cities and counties would be far more vigilant on collecting their carcasses.

I hope having buried the dog himself in his yard has given the owner some piece of mind.

I would think the ordinances prohibiting burial in back yards are more of an exercise in the local authority covering its behind in case someone does a poor job (doesn't bury it deeply enough, for instance) and creates a health nuisance - maggots breeding, wild animals being attracted to it and potentially dragging rotting sections all over the neighborhood etc.

I was surprised that he'd called the city at all. We've buried two cats here and would never have thought to call them.

He has a business license to work on cars at his house. He had a kid working for him detailing cars and when he told him he didn't need him any more, the kid said he was going to come back and break all the windows in the cars. He hasn't but I bet he's the one that poisoned the dog. For my kitties sake, I hope so.

We got Miaa Kitty off of Craigs list and she had 3 kittens and we ended up keeping 2 of them that are 8 mos old. We just opened the cat door about a month ago, I'm sick of cat boxes. When I heard about the dog I shut the cat door and brought out the squirt bottle I haven't used in months. When Precious started circling the house like a shark I yelled NO and squirted him. He litteraly threw a fit. You'd think I'd lasooed a wild horse. He didn't like me laughing either.

The kittens have harnesses and have been on leashes, the idea of putting them on a long lead is a good idea! Thev've never been out at night and they don't bother to go out, until I get up. I have bad hips and trouble walking, especially with the wet weather we've been having.
I've thought of checking the yard before they go out, it's a big one and me doing that isn't feasable. Forgive my spelling, I finally am starting to figure out this new highspeed but haven't found spellceck yet.

Hi yourself Wildchild. As you've figured out I've had real trouble and gone through a doosey of a rough spot.

Marcy

I am pretty sure rat poison takes several days to do it's deed, doesn't it? I suspect it was probably antifreeze.

I know this probably is not helpful, but it may help your friend find the dog killer.

I wonder if it might be that this particular dog was the target and not all of the neighborhood animals. You said 'neighborhood petS' but only mentioned one dog. We've got some poor dogs in our neighborhood that bark pretty much 24/7 and though I would never 'really' harm an animal, I sure would talk about it if I lived in close proximity to the constant noise.

Our 'foundling' cat was a stray, who of his own choice has never stepped outside (other than in a cat carrier to the vet) since he wandered into our garage one day three years ago. He backs up when the doors are opened!

This dog was kept in a kennel when he wasn't home and he never barked, was trained not too. I talked to him last night and he's sure it was the kid he fired that did it. He said if it had been antifreeze he would have foamed from the mouth and I think he said green. He's getting another pup from the same breeder for $2,500 and is going to train him, as he has his small dog, not to take food from anyone but him. So sad, he'd had him since he was a pup and he was 5 yrs old. After he left my Dave said he's sure my cats are save and let them outside. sigh....

rhizo 1 your right, it was just this one dog as far as I know, sure hope so.

Marcy

Please don't. Your cats are yours and should never be out of your sight. You are responsible for where they are, what they do and what happens to them. Gardeners, yard owners do not want your cat on their property. What they do there is a hazard to people's health. If people took care of their pets and took responsibility for them "pet rage" would not be inspired and innocent animals would not be poisoned.

I agree with arcy. At my last home there was a cat that was on my upper deck every morning to catch the birds at my feeder. Then I got tired of seeing bird remains I walked the neighborhood trying to find out who owned the cat. When I knocked at their door and explained to the lady about what the cat was doing. She asked "how can I stop him", I said keep him in. she did for about a month and he was back. I went to the owners house again and she would not answer the door. I left a note saying I was going to trap him. I found more remains and was so mad that I went out that day and bought a trap. I trapped him the first night and I took him to the pound. They were mad at me for bringing him in. I explained what the cat did and and about talking to the owner. They said "you did all you could do to prevent this" and they were no longer angry. The owner picked him up before the time was up. Later I saw the cat walking along the top of my 6 ft board fence, but he never came into my yard as far as I know. He had a good memory.

I will be honest with you, I was angry enough to think about killing the cat for about 30 seconds before my good sense kicked in. I could never kill an animal. But the next bird lover in that situation just might not have a problem with killing one. The police explained to me there is no leash law here for cats, but you do not have to put up with a cat in your yard. they told me it was legal to trap him.

I agree with Arcy too, on this one. I don't think it's fair for me to have to clean up cat "mess" out of my garden. I also know that indoor cats lead a longer, healthier life.

I would never think of letting my five cats outside. Never in a million years.

You also have to think of the danger of other animals. While my dogs are always leashed, I know if they were free and a cat was within catching distance they would kill it. They go crazy when they see the neighbors cat in our yard.