[Miss Chris]

This very topic has been very hotly debated at times in my area…….And the reasonings have been valid. I don’t have a cat but I do have a dog, and if I did have a cat I would treat them both the same, in terms of exercising anyway, both on a lead Or safe at home …… I get how some people think it’s okay to let their cat roam at night because that is their nature, but I can also imagine how upset owners would feel when their pet doesn’t come home ……. And there’s a few reasons for that, that is not just being run over……if a cat has angered someone by its behaviour while roaming then there are more than a few someone’s who will get rid of the cat in their own way, and none of them pretty……cats are beautiful creatures and I had a very therapeutic and totally unexpected experience with a stranger cat after a pet dog of mine died and I’ve looked at cats in a very different light since then. Look after your cats and don’t let yourself be put through wondering why they haven’t come home….

 

[Littleboy8]

I live in Victoria and have always had either one or two cats at a time over the years. My cats have always been de-sexed, registered with the council and now microchipped. They have always been indoor only cats, no cat runs, just warm, sunny windows to sleep in. They live long, healthy lives. Since most councils in Victoria have brought in cat containment laws, I have noticed that the price of kitty litter has more than doubled, because every cat owner needs to use it now!

You’ll find it’s also due to manufacturing costs rising and finding the supply of clay and other minerals are problems also.

 

[Veggiepatch]

When was the last time a domestic cat mauled a human to death? NEVER!

When was the last time a domestic dog mauled a human to death? On 9 September this year, a 17 year old girl died after being mauled by a friend's dog in Singleton, NSW.

Oh, but we are more concerned with a domestic cat killing the "mythical" 186 reptiles, birds and mammals per year.

 

[Marty F]

Councils already have way too much power!
Way Too many shiney arses trying to justify their jobs and not enough workers!

 

[Ruffels]

Here on the Sunshine Coast we must have our cat/s registered and microchipped. They are not allowed to roam. Fines for your cat straying are not cheap. It cost us nearly $200.00 to get ours back from the pound. So we cat proofed our yard by topping the fences and gates with product from Bunnings.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Re keeping cats indoors: nothing wrong with that PROVIDED all the cat's needs are supplied (and here goes the retired veterinarian with a special interest in cat health and welfare).
- suitable food (No, I won't get on that particular soap box this time)
- fresh water
- somewhere to hide when feeling threatened Some cats like 'cave' spaces, others like heights, and it depends on the threat the cat sees. A threat can be loud noises on the street, a visitor in the house, introduction of a new member (including baby) to the house, a strange cat/dog seen in the yard. Depends entirely on the temperament of the individual cat.
- a clean place to toilet, not near resources such as food and water. That means litter trays that are changed whenever they have been used. A cat's sense of smell is considerably better than ours, so if you can smell your cat's litter tray at all, to the cat it stinks like a shallow and badly maintained public long drop! Odour 'neutralising' litter doesn't. All it does is mask the odour from our noses, but not from cat's noses.

Veterinarian tip (not soap box): most 'inappropriate' urination is caused by dirty litter trays. Even most 'blocked bladders' can be relieved by changing the litter tray - not just changing the litter, but at least rinse out the tray. Maybe even wash it with some sort of enzyme cleaner. Whatever you do, when cleaning up cat's pee, don't use a cleaner containing amonia. It smells like cat pee. Very, very strong cat pee, if you're a cat.

It's also a good idea to provide your cat with a scratching post, unless you want your furniture wrecked.
My cat loves hers which is quite high with several shelves to sit on and a compartment to hide/sleep.. She loves to sit on the top ledge and survey her kingdom.

 

[mylittletibbies]

A bit off track but some information about dogs, which I just discovered to my considerable expense.
I have two little pedigreed Tibetan spaniels which I intended to breed with. For some reason the little girl was never cooperative.
As she is now six I made arrangements to have them both sterilised next week.
A couple of mornings ago I woke up to a terrible mess all over my floor and
my little dog.
She had what is known as pyometra, which is a uterus full of pus and blood and can occur in unsterilised female dogs.
My vet told me to bring her in immediately as this is life threatening.
She was operated on and is still there recovering, thank goodness. I can pick her up on Tuesday.
The cost? In excess of $3,000.
I had never heard of this condition as I have always had my pets sterilised
at a young age.
Just thought I'd let pet owners know. So much cheaper to get your pets sterilised at a young age and if you are intending to breed be aware that this can occur.

Cats can also get pyometra.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Our local council has a cat management branch and if you're having problems with other cats they provide a cat trap, and follow up when the catis caught.

I mentioned earlier that you can hire a cat trap from your local council.
I neglected to mention that the cost is only a holding fee and is paid back to you when the trap is returned.