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Last update on 28.04.2004
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| The "indoor cat", a particular cat? |
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- ''We are looking for an “indoor cat” that will stay inside and not want to go outside.” Such a cat would be very popular because it would be easy to keep.
- Analysing the so-called “indoor cat” by way of keeping and watching shows that the indoor cat is an ordinary cat, indicating that she is very happy with living inside the house. In fact, it’s not only few cats that are satisfied with living indoors. All they require is: a territory (not too small), i.e. flat, a secured balcony if available, something solid for the daily claw procedure, some grass for her stomach (i.e. so-called Cyprus grass), clotting cat litter and a variety of food (don’t just feed dry food or fodder). And, of course, a convenient human. What more is there to wish for?
- Unfortunately, natural needs of the cats are often not properly known. A very common thought is: an “outdoor cat” always needs to find a new outdoor place only. During our work of animal welfare we have experienced that even fully grown farm cats do feel very comfortable and content in a flat and are not interested in outdoors anymore. There is one, out of a hundred cats, that is restless and shows that it has an urge to go outside regularly. Simply watching the world outside on the windowsill does not indicate any itchy feet of the cat.
- When taking on cats in our animal welfare, a big all-round care is necessary. Most of the cats are neglected and weak, need to undergo a medical check, get some medical treatment and be relieved from parasites. After the medical treatment they can then be castrated and marked (by way of tattoo or chip).
- This means a lot of time, efforts and costs to the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Therefore the cats will not be given to a potential new home empty-headed. They will go to a new home with a save surrounding which preferably always is a “first floor and upwards” flat.
- The outdoor cat is always jeopardised by contagious cat diseases (some of which even a 100 per cent vaccination cannot prevent) and by the enormous volume of traffic in our streets. Often cats simply disappear without a trace. No other domesticated species has so many criteria for a keeping appropriate to the species to meet as it has with cats. (What about stray dogs?) We all know the various notes attached to a lamppost where people desperately search for their pets.
- Unfortunately most of those missing outdoor cats do not find a quick death on the streets but are being used as part of a rheumatism blanket or as sacrificial animal of some sects’ ideology. People, saying “that a cat is better off living a short outdoor live than spending a lifetime indoors” should act on that maxim themselves!
- Book recommendation: "Glückliche Wohnungskatzen" by Hannelore Grimm. Kosmos Ratgeber Stuttgart.
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