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Meow
Millions of cats across the country die needlessly every year because they are allowed to roam. Many cat owners believe the myth that cats need to roam to live fulfilling lives. According to the Humane Society of the United States the average lifespan of a free-roaming cat is about three years, compared to the 12 to 18 year lifespan of an indoor cat. Cats allowed to roam are more likely to be hit by vehicles, are more susceptible to diseases which can be transmitted to humans, are more likely to be poisoned by chemically treated lawns, are more vulnerable to being attacked by other animals, and can easily fall victim to people who want to do them harm. Free-roaming cats can also pick up fleas and ticks, and introduce those pests into your home.
To protect your cat, yourself and your family you should do the following:
- Keep your cat indoors if possible
- Spay or neuter your cat
- Maintain current vaccinations
- Don’t feed cats that don’t belong to you. The cats will likely return to your property, and you may come in contact with a cat that has contracted a disease.
- Don’t abandon your cat. It’s a class three misdemeanor to abandon an animal. This crime is punishable by a $500 fine.
Be sure to continue checking this Web site for more updates about free-roaming cats and what you can do to help solve the problem.
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