Trying to find kittens that aren't "only to be indoor pets"

[Gail Bengal Slave]

Our current thinking is to look into turning our back garden into a cat enclosure, and I've just found this on the web: http://www.purrfectfence.co.uk/

  Well done you 

I have secure-a -cat  catproofing, It is supplied by Roz who is on this forum. If you find her you can PM her and get some details. go for it. Have a look on the Auction there was a secure a cat system donated by Roz, with photos of my secure garden. Go for it. xx

[Team Svartalfheims]

Our current thinking is to look into turning our back garden into a cat enclosure, and I've just found this on the web: http://www.purrfectfence.co.uk/

Anyone had any experience of one of these systems? Looks quite good....

I know of a few people who have that system and it looks really good and they've had no escapes 

[Hippykitty]

The transparent chicken wire walling wouldn't keep out any airgun pellets if one of your neighbour's kids decided . . . .

[Dawn F]

not sure if anyone has that system but I know a few people have the securacat system put in by a lady named Roz who is a member here, there are pictures lurking somewhere, we did a diy version and touch wood it has worked very well for 18 months

[Hippykitty]

Personally, I've always let my cats free roam, with indoor access through an always open cat flap. I have never lost a cat to RTA, all my cats except one, have been pts because of terminal illness. The one exception died by falling off a shed roof and breaking her neck - the shed was in my garden, I had it dismantled.

In recent year P and S are too old to want to go out, though they have that choice. In the summer, Polly isn't allowed out during the day because she has white ears, but goes out from dusk to dawn, if she wants (she usually just sleeps).

I don't allow my cats to go to the front of the house. I've put the fear of ME into them. If they go anywhere near the front door, they are yelled at in my 'sergeant major' voice and shown the cat flap!! I tell them that if they want to go out, it's THAT way!!!
Touch wood, this has worked so far.

I think the other dangers RR mentions are very real, but life is dangerous for every life form, even us. If we didn't want to face danger, we shouldn't be born! 

My cats have all been moggies, and I accept that there are greater and different dangers for pedigrees. If you want to go the pedigree route, maybe cat proofing your garden is a good compromise, Wasabi.

[Wasabi]

Thanks for all the help and advice everyone - it's all becoming a lot clearer. What a great forum!

Our current thinking is to look into turning our back garden into a cat enclosure, and I've just found this on the web: http://www.purrfectfence.co.uk/

Anyone had any experience of one of these systems? Looks quite good....

[Stuart]

Ok, I prefer to Keep My Furbabes inside, mainly cause of all the dangers out there 
but that is my decision and in no way think other's should do the same

Have you thought about building a Cat run ?? if so, You could mention this to the breeder
and they may think that would be more acceptable, than just letting them run Free and
being at risk from all the dangers out there, with a Cat Run, babes would have the best of
both worlds, and you would have piece of mind knowing they are safe and wouldnt be able
to wander and get lost
also as they would be Kittens, they wouldn't know any difference about not having the full
freedom some Cats enjoy, cause what you dont have you dont miss (If you catch my drift )

Good Luck with your hunt for the Purrrfect Pair anyway, and I hope you Find what your looking for

p.s. have you tried Rescue ctrs in your area ?? You never Know 

[madkittyrescue]

Hi Guys,

I think everyone has a fair point on this topic.  There are numerous dangers to cats these days other than just traffic and dogs.

Personally, our recommendation is for indoor cats unless someone has a garden which we advise them to cat proof or provide a secure run area for the cats.  We go out and provide recommendations and advice on best ways to provide this for your cat.

IMHO I think that RR was correct to highlight the other dangers as there are far too many people who still do not know of these additional dangers and who simply say 'oh I didn't think you meant that happens in my area' ??????   Whilst that isn't to say that Wasabi doesn't already know of these things at least now we know that they do now.   I always think its best to assume they don't know rather than they do and find out to your or the cats peril later.

I can understand the point of view of the breeders as well to be honest.   It is probably the same dilemna faced by many rescues in that you spend a lot of time, love, care and money to save or rear a kitten / cat ready to home it onto its new family.  But it is only natural to worry about the dangers and the level of care that the new family would be able to provide.

Should Wasabi still look to get a cat or kitten and let it outdoors then yes, I'd say please cat proof your garden as a minimal step to guard your cats safety and secondly make sure you have them chipped.  The amount of pedigree and non pedigree cats we have that come in lost but with no chip is unbelievable and can provide a far quicker reunion.

I would also bear in mind that just because you are in a quieter area it doesn't mean it is free of cat related crime.  They are often hit more because the public are unsuspecting.

In whatever you choose to do Wasabi I hope that you find your new feline companions and a happy medium by which to ensure all of your happiness and safety. 

[Team Svartalfheims]

A lot of breeders when they say "indoor homes" usually include homes with access to a catproofed garden/run within this and some will change their indoor/outdoor rule depending on where you live ie if the nearest road is miles away they may allow the cat to be let out. It might vary from breed to breed as well as some breeds are far less suited to being able to go outside than others.

As others have said already there are so many dangers around now with traffic, cats being stolen, horrible people who will happily harm them etc that breeders don't want their precious babies going to a cat to a home where they will be exposed to these dangers and a cat who is kept indoors or allowed access to a catproofed garden or run is at less risk from these.

Some reputable breeders will sell to homes where they will be allowed to free roam but these are in the minority. A cat proofed garden is a nice halfway house as it allows your cat to go outside but in a safe environment which is wonderful peace of mind.

Please don't lie to a breeder and say you will keep it indoors if you have no intention of doing so as breeders who will only home to indoor/cat proof garden homes will have it as a clause in the contract that it must be kept like this and if they find out that you have broken the terms of the contract they may repossess the cat.

[Rosella moggy]

  to Purrs

Oh I soooooo wanted 2 silver tabby kittens who were allowed outdoor access but ended up with this ugly mutt instead    I suppose I'm saying I'm glad I widened my criteria 

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[Michelle (furbabystar)]

 We live in a small village, on a fairly quiet residential road and our garden backs onto fields and open countryside.

Ditto and i have lost 3 cats to the road.
However saying that, I DO still allow my other cats to go out because they were UNHAPPY being kept indoors.

It is my understanding that alot of Pedigree breeders only sell kittens to be indoor only cats so have you thought about just getting 2 "moggies" ?

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Well ruth aint there more dangers outside then in     I didnt post to make anyone 'afraid'  butto bear in mind...I know some folk are aware of the road issues but many are not with other things i said. 

Sure there are, I didn't say there weren't, I am sure Wasabi will bear that in mind as stated in her first post... they have bought a property with a cat safe environment in mind.

[MBll]

Well ruth aint there more dangers outside then in     I didnt post to make anyone 'afraid'  butto bear in mind...I know some folk are aware of the road issues but many are not with other things i said. 

[Gillian Harvey]

I think a lot depends on the breeders you meet as to whether they insist on indoors only or not. I have persians and mine all go outside (they have a safe fenced area for when I'm not around and overnight, but the rest of the time they have access to my large garden).

I'd already had a large cat run when I got my first persians from a breeder (as I'd lost cats on the road), but the breeder of many of my persians also was happy for her kittens to go to homes where they wouldnt be allowed to roam, but would have access to a safe garden. I don't have the cat run now and my latest persian kitten comes from lovely breeders whose 25 cats (!) are all allowed access to their large grounds and they want their kittens to continue to enjoy the outdoors. So I think you just have to keep looking for the right breeders, who are also reputable, and socialise their kittens well - sounds like a tall order, but it IS possible.

If you find a breeder that you like and they  insist on indoor only - find out if they mean indoor, but with access to a safe fenced garden - as perhaps you could fence your garden so that they can have outdoor access, but without being able to leave the garden. Its ridiculous for a breeder to say 'reputable breeders only sell indoor cats'  - breeders should concentrate on making sure they socialise their kittens properly (which a lot don't).

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

RR I'm sure Wasabi has thought about dangers that all of our cats, whether indoor or not, are in danger of.  I don't think those issues you mention are exclusive to outdoor cats, no matter how important they are to keep in mind. If we were afraid of all these we'd never adopt cats at all. 

I am sure, Wasabi, there will be more info forthcoming from our rescues.

As a matter of interest, which breed are you thinking of? When you say silver tabbies, that can be any breed, so just keen to know as some of our members may be able to guide based on that.

Edited to add: ignore that question, just googled and figured it was BSH.

[MBll]

Forgot to say silver tabbies would be easy tagets for thives as would other pedigree cats

[MBll]

Its not only roads wither quiet or busy that you need to consider there are other things aswll like


Injures  & death from air guns etc

Cat thefts ......for various illegal activities.... bait for dog fights....stealing pets & blackmailin owners to pay hundreds pounds for return or else....stealing & selling  on or used as breeding machines/stud....even heard talk about stealling animals for the fur trade?

Also woth considering there are humans that would take great plusure in using cats as  a football etc  & that goes for kids (brats) aswell


In fife/cupar which is not that far from edinburgh theres been an apeal put out by a rescue there waring pet owners of the increase of cats being stolen some are multi cat houses ....also in the glasgow area.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I have four outdoor cats but all rescues, two are birmans.

I like my cats to go outside but have problem now that my one of my two big cats climbed over the big wall last week and crossed the road. I also have a field at the bottom and 100ft garden but I was hoping they would never try for the front and now I am worried.

I am sure that you would be able to get cats from most rescues but silver tabbies are quite hard to get because of them appearing in certain adverts and being rather desirable and many breeders will insist on indoors only.

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

  Wasabi,

I'm really pleased you joined us. It's great that you are getting advice all round.

We're mainly a rescue site, so you may find that we'll all be to encourage you to get a couple babies from a rescue.    There are many who need a loving home, and in fact some rescues may have kittens from the same litter as well, so all is not lost in that arena.  Or in fact young cats that need to be homed together.

I would say that if you do choose to go the breed route, you will find most if not all will insist on indoor only.   As Sheryl says she has a great run out side so her cats can wonder out, enjoy the outdoors and they remain safe.  Another of our members, Felix, has the most amazing run built, its huge and her bengals have a great time out there.

I have a moggie, my baby Lexy, and she's an indoor only cat. When I adopted her at 3 years old she was terrified of the outdoors, so I suspect she was kept in a flat all her life. She's still terrified. So for now, at 5 years, she still indoors and a very pampered cat with loads of entertainment indoors to keep her busy. When I finally am able to move, wherever I go I will build an outdoor run so she can still go outside but be safe. Its the only way I know she will be safe as she has no street sense at all.

All is not lost if you go that route, you can cat proof your back garden, rather than a run, so your puds can enjoy some time out in their own garden and you can prevent them wondering to a quiet road. 

As Sheryl says, cats become complacent because they trust the road as its quiet, but also, drivers on quiet roads pay less attention as well.  Sadly, some of our members have lost cats to quiet roads and the heartbreak has been unbearable for them.

[Dawn F]

forgot to say, I also live in a quiet area but lost one of my cats to the road and have since cat proofed the garden

[sheryl]

My Bengals are "indoor" cats but we have build them a large run in the garden and they love to go out when the weather is nice but I know they are safe.  We too live in a small rural village but I know of 4 families who have lost cats to the road in the last 12 months.  Sometimes when an area is quiet a cat becomes complacent because there is so little traffic and then they get caught out when a speeding car comes along.

[Dawn F]

Hi Wasabi - there are lots of rescue people on here, I'm sure not all want indoor only homes but you might find it a bit hard to find exactly the kittens you want at this time of year - I'm sure someone from rescue will reply to you and give you more info

[Wasabi]

We're looking to buy two kittens: ideally silver tabbies or the like. We've found a number of breeders around us (Edinburgh), but so far everyone we've approached has insisted they will only sell INDOOR cats. In fact, the last person we spoke to said that "reputable breeders only sell indoors cats" and if we want cats that we can let outside we'll have to buy "farm cats" or go to a "less-reputable breeder".

We're a bit taken aback by this. We didn’t realise it would be near-impossible to buy outdoor kittens from a trustworthy source. Is this other people’s experience, and can anyone give any help or advice? (The obvious solution is to just lie to a breeder and pretend we’re going to keep the cats indoors, but that’s not us: we don’t want to have to lie.)

Alternatively we are interested in finding out more about kittens from shelters, but do have our hearts set on silver tabbies, ideally a pair from the same litter, and on getting kittens as young as possible (ie 13 weeks). Does having such a wishlist make us too inflexible to be customers for a rescue centre?

[We know there are significant dangers in letting cats go outside, but it is something we've considered at length. We live in a small village, on a fairly quiet residential road and our garden backs onto fields and open countryside. While we know there can never be any guarantees, finding as 'cat-safe' an environment as possible was one of our key criteria when we chose this house last year! In addition, both of us when younger owned cats who had outdoor access; and we have friends and family who own cats with outdoor access – in effect, every cat we’ve ever known has been allowed outside, and we’re not that keen on owning cats that have to be kept indoors.]