So far in 2017, we’ve received over 100 lost cats at the shelter. Many of them were brought in by people who say they just “showed up” at their house. That’s probably because they were looking for food, shelter and comfort.
It’s not uncommon in Brown County for people to leave their cats outdoors with the belief that they can fend for themselves, assuming they will hunt for food and find shelter. After all, they have a natural instinct for hunting, don’t they?
It’s actually a myth that cats can all fend for themselves in the wild. Cats are domesticated animals and are no longer used to hunting for their food. In fact, many cats don’t hunt at all. Or they like the thrill of the chase but don’t actually eat what they catch.
A cat left to feed itself is at higher risk of injury, disease and death as it roams further from home in search of food. Even feral cats will establish their colonies near a place where they have easy access to a food source. It would be rare to find a domestic cat living in the woods catching food. They’ll be found near homes, or shops or farms, where they have access to the food of people or other animals.
Of course, cats also need shelter and will seek out areas that are protected from the elements and from predators. If they don’t have that at home, they’ll search for a place where they can find it.
At the very least, providing adequate space that is warm, dry and inaccessible to other animals is necessary. Again, this is one reason why cats will gravitate toward locations where there are people: fewer predators.
Outdoor cats are also much more vulnerable to disease, poisons, injury and illness. They need regular vaccinations, flea and worm preventative, and monitoring for illnesses or disease. This is not only for their safety and well-being, but also for the well-being of other animals and people they might come in contact with.
It’s important to realize that if we want to have cats in our lives, whether indoor or outdoor, on our lap or just sleeping on the porch, we must be prepared to care for them. Leaving a cat to fend for itself is cruel and irresponsible.
The good news is you can find help through the Brown County Humane Society. We can provide information on how to create an outdoor space for your cats to keep them warm (and can even provide the straw for you). We have a yearly clinic for low-cost vaccines, and many opportunities for low-cost spay/neuter surgery throughout the year. We can even give you information on how to transition an outdoor cat to an indoor cat.
— Brown County Humane Society
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Do you have one morning or one afternoon each week to help care for cats or dogs?
- Mornings from 9 a.m. to noon, help with cat care
- Afternoons between noon and 5 p.m., walk dogs
Volunteers must be at least 18 and able to commit to the same shift every week for at least 3 months.
Email [email protected] for information.
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WHAT: 10th Annual Chocolate Walk
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 11
WHERE: Participating Nashville businesses
TICKETS: $20 until Nov. 1, then $25. Visit bchumane.org/chocolate-walk or call 812-327-3016.
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