Neighbor Lets Cat Live Outside

I am glad that you posted this, but disheartened by everyone's attitude. I, also, am having an issue with my neighbor's outdoor cats - especially because they are using my FENCED yard for their litter box, as well as one morning coming out of my front door to finding cat vomit on my doormat. Yuck.

Michelle, I am a huge animal lover too, but I definitely would not cause a rift with your neighbor just because they have an outside cat. I have several friends with farms who have outside cats and they are totally different from inside cats. They hunt for their food and usually go crazy if you try to bring them indoors! As far as laying under a car to keep cool, I'd feel alot worse if it was laying out in the hot sun with no shade available. It's just being smart and resourceful! My neighbor has 2 inside cats and a 3rd that has shown up (we think it was abandoned) that she has been feeding and trying to get inside for over a year now. That cat has NO interest in being indoors. I had a friend who had a dog (Husky) who lived outside. His neighbors would call animal control all the time because they saw the dog lying out in the snow. He had a dog house out there but the dog never used it so he was told to buy a bigger one, which he did. The dog still layed out in the snow so he was reported again and built a HUGE shelter with straw and everything and the dog STILL chose to sleep out in the snow. He would bring him inside for a little while but soon he was pacing at the door to go back out. I have a little dog who is probably no bigger than your cat. He loves to be out any chance he can, but when he's ready to come in he lets me know. I have friends with horses who put them in every single night and others who leave theirs out all the time and the ones who are out are actually healthier than the ones kept in stalls. My point is all animals are different. Animals are smart and if that cat really wanted to be inside he'd be at the door trying to get in. As long as you don't see the cat being abused I wouldn't worry about it!

I think you should keep your nose out of it.

It's a cat. A cat is an animal, it's natural habitat is the outdoors. It is natural for cats to hunt smaller animals like mice, birds etc. for food. That's the natural order of things. When we lived in the country, the cats very seldom came inside. Now that I live in the city, my cat spends much time outside and when it's really hot he likes to go outside and sit under a bush in the shade. Two other families in my building have cats they don't let outside. We don't find fault in each others choices. And everyone loves to visit with my cat when they are outside. If you are so worried about the cat, go over to it and pet it and leave a bowl of water or dry food out for it.

I am also a huge cat lover. I have had many cats in my lifetime. Most of the cats I have owned have been outdoor cats. Most of the time, my cats have spend tons of time outside in the summer. In the winter they do tend to spend most of their time indoors. I have had a couple of cats who just prefered to be outdoors. When I made them stay in they would cry and cry at the door. I don't think cats really mind being outdoors. If your neighbors cat wanted to come in, I think he would spend a lot of the day crying at the door to come in. My outdoor cats definitly let me know when they want to come in. If you see the cat laying around, looking content, he probably is pretty happy.

That is very nice of you be to so concerned about your neighbor's cat! You must be a great person!! Thanks for looking out the our furry friends.

MYOB unless the animal is being abused. In that case, call animal control. Neighbor problems generated by your butting in to this matter will be enormously greater than staying out of it.

J.

Sorry Michelle, but are you kidding??? Cats are animals, animals like to be outside. The heat?? I have 3 cats and they love nothing better than to find a sunny very hot spot and sprawl out. They can come in when ever they want, however they prefer to be out most of the day. I would be soooo angry if someone called animal controll on me. It happened in the past over our dogs liking to lay under our trapolene. A neighbor called animal control saying we were neglecting them!!! After a few of these calls and we moved!

stay out of it.

If you see genuine neglect, you could call the city but then realize it may be put to sleep.

Arrgghhh!! Cats are survivors - they are an outdoor animal - to me it's cruel to keep a cat indoors!! Sounds like that cat hasn't used any of it's nine lives yet!! Stay out of it unless there is obvious neglect.

I have a cat that also lives outside. She was an inside cat but she decided to use my entire house for a litter box no matter where we put her litter box or how clean it was. She prefered my carpet. I love my cat, but I can't afford to have her going all over my house! Now she is mostly a garage cat, but she can come and go as she pleases. It was either that, or we would have had to put her to sleep, and I can't do that. If it bothers you that the cat comes in your yard, then there are things you can spray around your yard to keep her out.

I personally am more peeved with the people that let their dogs pee on my mailbox plants when they are on their walk, or let them out to poop in my yard so that my kids step in it. My cat at least will now use her litter box.

Hi Michelle,
We have a cat as well and it is indoor/outdoor. He is out during day when we are home and in during the evening. He has his back claws only and is great at getting mice, toads, bugs etc to bring home as gifts. He loves to roam outside....but again he is not out past dark.

Do you know if this cat has both front and back claws? Are they feeding it? What do they do during the winter? If it is not being cared for...I would say something to humane society about the cat's welfare. You mentioned it is dirty....cats if healthy clean themselves as you know. It has been a hot summer...it may get dehydrated as well. Also...all the rain....it needs to be in a safe environment. If not being cared for...say something to someone. WE have taken in strays in our neighborhood because they are fending for selves outside.

Good luck and thank you for caring!

A.

Totally disagree with the last poster. If the cat is declawed then it should be kept inside. My neighbor lets her cats roam our hood and we hear the cats late at night fighting with other animals. If you feel that the cat is neglected in any way, call animal control.

I am a cat lover also. We have 2 wonderful chubby cats in our home. We never let our cats outside because of the reasons you gave. I don't know if they really want to go outside, I think they like their care free life inside.
As far as your neighbor is concerned check with the local city hall to see what the laws are. Most towns have the same laws for cats as they have for dogs, they just do not enforce them. Our neighbor lets their cats out all the time. I ask why they do this, their response was that I don't need a litter box if they go outside. Most people who let their cats out know the risks to their cats, but they just don't look at their cats as a members of their family they just look at them as a pet that can be replaced.
It would not hurt to say something to your neighbor but be prepared to be shot down. More than likely he just will not care but it will not hurt to try. Boy I hope I am wrong and you will open his eyes to the safety of his cat.
You can also call your local animal control and they will come and talk to your neighbor.

I wish you luck... One cat lover to another...>''<
S.

Hi Michelle I had a similar situation with my neighbor but with two little dogs and I am also a big animal lover. I actually went right ahead and called animal cruelty for my area and sent them an email. After that happened about three times I saw that the dogs were be taken better care of and weren't left outside in the freezing cold or hot weather. I would also leave water out for the dogs in their own front yard. This is just thought I hope you are able to help those poor cats I too am a HUGE ANIMAL LOVER. Good luck.

I have neighbors who cats live outdoors so they will look dirty compared to a cat living inside. But these cats have plenty of water to drink, look well feed, and have a cat house in the back. Remeber, the last thing you need is an angry neighbor because an angry neighbor is an enemy you do not need. So don't say anything to them or anyone else or your life will be miserable. Is the cat just dirty or does it also look malnourished. Does it have fleas, mange, sores? Take a few pictures of the cat from different angles withour anyone knowing and take them with you to the humane society. Tell them the situation and they will decide if there is cause for a visit. Also, you did not say if you live in town or in the country. Many towns have ordinances that require cats to be kept in doors, and when outside they must be on a leash. If this is the case the Humane society will pay them a visit. Good Luck

Just to add a little more, I am like you and see an outdoor cat roaming around outside and feel bad for it. But, it does seem happy and is very large. So, I make sure that if I have left over cat food etc, I leave it outside for him to eat. He does come by and eat it all, it is so cute. You could leave that cat water in a bowl outside, that could help ease your concern.

i live next door to a man raising his i5 year old daughter whom was given a sweet black kitten called tabby. i told him at the time not to let her live outside to no avail. she lived 14 years and was hit on the road crushing a hip. she was put to sleep. yes she was 14 but how much life would she have had left. i have 4 indoor cats whom i love so much and before them 2 part siamese who lived to 17. tabby would rather be outside than in so i accepted that. she had worms and fleas and was real thin all the time.i fed and watered her like she was my own and she knew how much i loved her. and i miss her so very much. like you i believe a cats place is in the house getting full attention and constant love. i don't know how long the kitty you are concerned about has lived outdoors but you could mention casually to its owner that it would be better off in their home. good luck.

it's terrible for birds too, millions of bird are killed each year by outsdoor cats, it's totally irresponsible for pet owners to let thie cats outside!!!