Great, THANKS! (n/t)

I agree with you in theory, but alot of people are irresponsible about it. I'm probably jaded because I did lots of volunteer work for an animal shelter. I have some friends that have special structures they built to let their cats out safely, so they can ejoy nature, sun, etc. Very few people are that committed.

But, when I volunteered at the shelter, I saw the other extreme. People living in cities just let them out all day without caring. They get hit by cars, injured badly in fights, abused or poisoned by people, contract viruses, etc. My neighbor's cat just got beat up badly by another cat. People get angry and blame cats for spraying their gardens and properties and do terrible things to them. I remember one case where someone set a cat on fire. Plus, they breed quickly and become a nuisance and towns start passing strict laws that hinder the people trying to help them.

A town I know just recently passed a law giving a $2500 fine for anyone caught feeding stray cats. They wouldn't allow a trap, neuter release volunteer program that wanted to help. Meanwhile, the town has drugs and gangs and murders and armed robberies that go ignored, but they fine you $2500 for wanting to help cats.

I guess it depends on where you live, and how committed you are to their well-being. If they can be confined safely in your yard, or a sun porch, that's the best of both worlds. I've always had dogs, so I couldn't have a cat, but I saw some pretty cruel things at the shelter. Unless you live on a farm, maybe that might work. Tweet