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Outside or Inside: Should a cat be free

This is a controversy I’ve wanted to write about for a long time.

I have a cat named Atilla. When I got her as a kitten I decided it would be raised as an outside/inside cat.

My decision caused tremendous alarm in my family because my mother has three cats all of them living indoors and never allowed to go outside.

I was told if I loved my cat I would not risks its life by allowing it to go outside where numerous predators wait to devour her first chance they get.

She told me if I did let my cat out I had to be prepared to lose her someday to the many perils waiting outside.

The Mighty Hunter

I was also told her front claws would need to be removed to spare the furniture in the house.

After about three seconds of contemplation I made my decision. Atilla would be free to roam and be a real cat and would not be raised as an animated decoration.

It just didn’t feel right to me to rip out my kitten’s claws and force her to live a life staring out windows and wishing she was outside having one.

I waited until she had learned all the nooks and crevices of the house and seemed to be yearning to find out what lay outside of her new domain.

So I began by leaving the door to the back yard slightly ajar and waiting there to see what Atilla would do.

At first she just peaked and sniffed at the door opening, looking back up at me to see if was OK to step out.

She took little baby-kitten steps out the door, staying real close, walked a foot or two along it than quickly running back in.

I could see she was sniffing the door, examining it, recording every iota of info she could and retracing her steps back and forth.

She kept this up for about an hour, expanding her territory until she had conquered a five foot radius around the door and she new she could safely navigate and get back into the house quick.

Then she ran in to her little bed in the bedroom, curled up and went into a very pleased nap.

This process went on with me next to her all the time as she mapped the back yard. I should mention this was in my house in Chandler and not Sedona.

She grew stronger and bolder unt

tila-in-the-tree-1_edited-1

il she began getting curious as to what new adventure the top of the cement wall surrounding my backyard might hold for her.

Then came the dreaded day I knew I would have to live through sooner or later.

She jumped up on the wall and disappeared.

For hours my friend and I called her name and knocked on neighbor’s doors and combed the neighborhood. No sign of her.

Was she lost? Was she killed by pit bulls? Was she captured by someone and sold to a pet store? Was she suffering with a broken paw?

My guilt hit me and my mother’s dire warning came back to haunt me. But deep inside I knew, no matter what, if she was gone, she went being a cat and not an animated ornament. A life is a small price to pay for Freedom.

About 8 p.m. that evening I heard her tiny-little meow. There she was on the wall entangled in a thorny bush overhanging into our yard. I braved the peril and pulled her out, all scratched from the thorns but I didn’t care. She was back and that was all that mattered.

The next day she was at the door, trying to meow her way out, bored with all the extra love and petting she got the night before.

Again, I had to swallow my fear and think of what it means to her to be out, hunting, exploring, examining and killing little bugs – living the life a cat was created to live.

Next came her learning the Tao of trees. She picked a rather tall one to climb and of course she found herself unable to get back down. But she had to learn so I camped out beneath it and patiently waited for her to figure a way down.

She meowed and meowed then gauged the distance to the bottom and scurried down the tree like a squirrel and into the house in a flash.

Now I could rest easy she could escape predators by running up trees and coming back down when the coast is clear.

As she got bigger she gained mastery over her domain. I didn’t worry anymore she would not be able to find her way home. She only went out during the day and would always come back hungry and happy before dusk.

Then we moved to Sedona. The warnings about letting your cat out here were even more dire. Coyotes, Bob Cats, Owls, all kinds of predators were licking their chops waiting for Atilla to step out. I was told an outside cat in Sedona had a general life expectancy of about three months.

We moved into the Chapel area and she was out and about the first day we moved in. It was in Sedona where she matured into a real hunter, taking down lizards, small birds and eventually, rabbits.

I’ll never forget the day she pulled one into the house. I’ve seen horror movies showing mutilations and decapitations and blah blah.

But nothing could prepare me for the sight of a baby bunny with its head half eaten off. I spoke to her for an hour begging her never to do that again. It must have worked because she never brought one back into the house.

But, that’s life in the big world and Atilla I’m sure understands it’s an eat-or-be-eaten world out there. It could happen to her someday. I would suffer. I would cry. But at least she lived a real cat life. There is a price that comes with freedom.

But her need to hunt soon got us into trouble with a neighbor, an owner of five forever-locked-indoors cats.

It seemed Atilla was using their back yard as a hunting ground, spraying everything (Atilla was spayed) and “torturing” her cats by peering in through their deck window at her incarcerated brothers and sisters.

We ended up having a real big argument on the danger I was putting my cat in by letting her go out and the sorrow her cats were living safely locked in her house with no claws to scratch the furniture.

We also argued about what to feed our cats. I fed Atilla only raw meet purchased from New Frontiers (she won’t eat meat from Basha’s or Safeway). She fed her cats only dry food.

Her vet bills were about $300 a year for each of her cats. Mine were zero because Atilla never gets sick.

The argument escalated to the point where the neighbor threatened to “shoot” Atilla if she saw her in their backyard. It was get rid of the cat or move. So we moved out.

I believe everyone has a right to raise their pets as they see fit. I happen to think it is cruel to deny a cat a cat’s life. Other’s think I’m cruel for allowing my cat Freedom. I think they are wrong and maybe they should have their fingernails pulled out and live locked in a house for the rest of their lives so they could understand what cruelty really is.

We can apply this philosophy to humans as well.

The question is, is it better to live locked in a relatively safe environment? Or is it better to live free and take risks?

We, as humans, have that choice.

Domesticated cats, don’t. We make that choice for them.

I just feel so sorry for them.  I look at them  staring forlornly at the outside world they will never experience. I try to put myself in their paws and all I feel is this yearning to be free and this sense of imprisonment in a tiny world of walls I can’t climb.

Am I being a bit prejudiced here? I invite readers, cat owners, to debate or defend my point.

Should cats be allowed to be free or not?

What do you think?

8 Comments

  1. Ken Miles says:

    Cats hunt vermin.
    They eat vermin.
    They drag vermin inside and hide them.
    They occasionally drag the vermin from beneath the sofa
    and chew on it. Then they return the vermin. They do this
    constantly.
    Cats have infectious disease hiding under the claws.
    Claws should be removed for this reason. Also the best
    way to make a cat stay inside is to feed it transquilzers daily
    and to remove one-foot.
    You can use the foot much like a rabbits foot only a cat’s
    foot will curse you. Oh I suppose you didn’t know this either
    “Cats are spawn from Hell.”
    Coyotoes only exist to eat your outdoor cats and indoor
    cats too if you leave the door open. That’s the reason so
    many coyotoes in Sedona are FAT.

  2. Jerry Masters says:

    I think Tommy Acosta is a heartless and cruel pet owner who should have his cat forcibly removed by the Humane Society. Cats were created to remain locked indoors and not only have their front claws removed but their back claws as well so they never ever have to think about going outside like my little Neotechy, who spends his life happily watching me blog on the computer and my other cat Arctic, who spends his life licking and preening himself in front of mirrors.

    This Atilla is a danger to herself and society. God knows how many little creatures have come to a horrible end in her vicious claws and jaws. Try to picture yourself a baby bunny for the first time venturing out of your rabbit hole from your mother’s side, looking at the sun, seeing the flowers, taking a few tentative steps into your new world and suddenly being snatched by a Saber Toothed Tiger and slowly eaten alive?

  3. Editor says:

    The following comments were posted on Sedona.biz for the same article.

    Readers’ comments

    #1 I have two indoor cats that I love. It’s a false choice to assume that an indoor cat must have its claws removed. My cats have all their claws and they never hurt the furniture. They are smart and know better. A domesticated cat is, by its very nature, living in an artificial world, whether outside or inside. I would not expose my cats to the outside dangers, especially in Sedona.

    Carl

    #2 I believe cats should be free. It’s cruel to keep such an intelligent animal confined. There are things you can do to reduce a cat’s hunting behavior. If you had known about the CatBib, a simple device that attaches to the cat’s collar you might still be living in your original place. The CatBib was independently field tested and found to stop 81% of cats from catching any birds and 45% of cats from catching small rodents. The results were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Biological Conservation, July 2007. Audubon recommended the CatBib in its Jan-Feb 2008 magazine issue.

    There are also cat fences that make it difficult if not impossible for your cat to leave your backyard. Some people build elaborate cat “kennels” with cat doors leading into the house.

    Hope my information is useful to you.

    #3 I live on the Eastern plains in rural Colorado. I’ve had numerous cats through the years–most who were indoor/outdoor & free to roam. I believed that cats needed to be free. BUT, I lost so many. One got ran over right in front of my house. Many came home with diseases that caused them a short life. One beloved 12 year old got attacked by 2 dogs, and was chased far away. I never saw her again. Did she die is some prairie, bleeding to death? Her replacement, named Tink, was also an indoor/outdoor cat. She nearly tore the pad off her foot trying to get out of a tree. Then, she got bit by a rattlesnake and almost died. OKAY, I said. That’s it. I love these precious ones like my own children. At least you can teach kids how to cope with dangers. So even though Tink was already 6 years old and used to roaming, I trained her to become an indoor only. She seemed to understand, and doesn’t even try to run out. I got a new kitten, now a year old. She is an indoor only. I have not declawed either one. I’m glad now, because the neighbors have numerous unneutered males. Some are indoor/outdoor and some are left outside always, with a bowl of food on the doorstep. Some are mean, and tear each other up. They could easily hurt my kitty. These male cats come to my place and go in my garage and pee all over everything. If you have an outdoor cat, you never know the damage they are doing to others.

    #4 Tommy’s immature attitude and pretense of giving his cat a good life is really unfair to Attila. Attila will probably not have a long life as he is being exposed to many dangers in our environment. Tommy’s Mom must have spoiled him way too much because he loves to hear himself talk and writes too many articles that say nothing in 12,000 words.

    #5 Responding to Post # 4….This is Tommy. Yes, I was spoiled by my mother and I am in deep poo because she read my article and is now threatening to disown me. But a man has to stand by his convictions and by golly…I hope I have the guts. But I disagree on my cat having a short life. She is now five, having spent two years in Chandler and three here in Sedona. And she will live forever.

    You say she is exposed to danger? Danger is what makes her stronger and more alert. She is fascinating to watch when she goes outside. Every fiber of her being is lit. She is feline beauty to behold…alert, ears like radars individually scanning for any rustle of threat, eyes everywhere, nose sniffing the wind. She is as fast as greased lightning. She can climb a tree in the blink of an eye. I’ve seen her take on other neighborhood-outside cats twice her size and leave a wake of her opponent’s fur as they run for cover.

    Yet, at home, she is a purr machine. Gentle, never scratches people except once when this Kung Fu Master guy tried to match his speed against her and pissed her off. He will never mess with a cat again.

    And yes, I do love to hear myself talk and spending 12,000 words to say nothing is an art form. Remember, without nothing you can’t have something. Wisdom is in the mind of the beholder.

    #6
    Tommy, you’re not the only one with a cute cat! This is Alice. All her claws and an indoor cat. Is she saying, “I’m content” or “Let me outside!” You decide.

    Carl

    #7 I have several cats, all living indoors. While it is true that cats love the outdoors, their life expectancy goes down significantly if they live outdoors. They face the threat of dogs, wildlife, cars, disease, etc. I have known several people who feel they need to be free and then are surprised when they disappear and cry over the loss.

    The people made the choice. Cats can adapt and there are several things people can do to give cats the opportunity to live both indoors and outdoors safely. There are ways to create backyards that are safe or interior courtyards, or you can create a fenced in area in the backyard with tree branches, etc. Remember people determine the fate of the cat.

    I have learned a lot about cats over the years and decided that I would rather keep mine inside than see them torn to shreds by coyotes. So, our spoiled little babies get walks on a leash and get access to a safe courtyard. Joshua Snow, get to go all over town and even ride the trolley.

    You don’t have to deny a cat access to what they love and place them in danger. For anyone who owns a cat (excuse me, is owned by a cat) you will learn the more time you spend with them, the more they communicate and learn how to get access to what they want. Enjoy them and give them a longer life.

    Dr. G.

    #8Tommy is a brave new world man sorta guy. Thoughtful and insightful. If I were Atilla, which I’m not because I’m a man, and Atilla is a sexless female cat, but if I were Atilla, I would be so happy for having been left at least my claws and outdoor freedom that I would come purr for him every night instead of disappear (which I think is the real fear of pet owners, is their pets won’t want to spend time with them).

    My mom’s got an obese, sexless female cat minus any nails and may be killed should she venture outside just from the noise that comes out of my mother’s hands clapping and yelling shewing her back inside. I think she is obese because the only joy in her life now is filling her belly. She sleeps and eats and sleeps and eats. She has gotten past the stage of even venturing near the window to peer outside. Outside? That’s a whole different universe! It’s a parallel universe right? Or maybe it’s a different vibration. Who knows….? I think she lives a full life of silent misery, and if she still had and desire other than to eat and sleep, she might trade it all in for one wild afternoon of chasing mice or wabbit hunting even if she had to die in the clutches of the jaws of a mountain lion or red tailed hawk.

  4. ARCTIC CAT says:

    Jerry Masters wrote:
    <>

    ___,,,^.~.^,,,___ Oh yeah? We’ll see about that Mr. Baiter! You will come to rue the day you taught me how to use your computer when you aren’t home! When you find your pillow all wet and squishy tonight, don’t look at me. I was too busy in front of the mirror to be responsible. Go ask that wussy little shill of yours, Neotechy. I heard he’s got the incontinent bladder. >evil purrrrRRRRRRR<

    —Arctic Cat

  5. JZ says:

    Yes, without nothing you can’t have something. It’s the great nothing/something that lies beyond the glass that calls to all would-be wildcats. It’s always barter: wuss-wuss for your puss-puss, or a walk on the wild side with the sovereign pride who have nothing to hide; riding the eternal tide of the great divide wherein each moment holds in sway Hamlet’s question on a Da-Da day.

    But it’s always good to have a friend who is a doorman.

  6. Mr. Smith says:

    Yes JZ…What does lie beyond the glass that calls to all would-be wild cats? It could very well be the great something/nothing that waits for us on the other side of of this mortal plane.
    And after reading JZ’s post twice, the full impact of having a friend or servant who is a doorman hit me square between the eyes, if one places themselves in the head of a cat.
    But being human, I think. And because I think, I can make a decision to live in fear behind the door or beyond it free from split-brain bondage.
    Long live Atilla!!!!

  7. Jerry Masters says:

    Listen Arctic Cat. I know I favor Neotechy over you because he pays attention to me when I spend countless hours on my computer posting my wisdom while you spend countless hours admiring yourself in the mirror and licking your private parts.

    Neotechy is wise. You are vain. And stay away from my pillow and computer or I’ll stop cleaning your litter box.

  8. ARCTIC CAT says:

    ___,,,^.~.^,,,___ Oh yeah Mr. Jerry Masters, the Baiter? You’re just jealous…if you could reach you’d do that all day too. And it won’t matter if you don’t clean the litter box ’cause I’ll be using your bedsheets for a litter box. Only that little shill Neotechy will suffer with smelly paws. Good for him. He deserves it for selling out to you humans! >evil purrrrrrRRRRRRRRR<

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