I am devastated and not sure what to do next

krlyr

winterwhite11 wrote: »

vet told me nearly all cats run over are killed instantly so no pain.

If they're "lucky". Colleague's cat got his, broke his pelvis (ouch!) and spent months recovering from multiple operations - and still has complications now due to the morphine patch they had to use (he was in that much pain) causing a skin reaction.



Personally I don't like the concept of outdoor cats. I wouldn't let my dogs roam around unsupervised because of the risks posed to them. I hear the argument that it's unfair to keep a cat in - well, my dogs would probably think it's fairer to roam, until they were seriously injured or killed that is. And everyone claims that their cat has road sense - until it makes a mistake one day and ends up under a car. I know some cats may not adjust as well but you're in a position where you could get a kitten or choose an adult cat used to an indoor life.
As mentioned, there's catproof fencing to keep the cat in the garden, or a cat run, so an "indoor" cat doesn't need to miss out on basking in the summer sun.

warehouse

Your cat was very unlucky and I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Please don't get a house cat and don't cat proof your garden, I can think of nothing worse than confining a creature that simply loves to explore and roam.

purple.sarah

warehouse wrote: »

Your cat was very unlucky and I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Please don't get a house cat and don't cat proof your garden, I can think of nothing worse than confining a creature that simply loves to explore and roam.

Toddlers love to explore and roam but you wouldn't let them wander off unsupervised.

krlyr

warehouse wrote: »

I can think of nothing worse than confining a creature that simply loves to explore and roam.

Being stolen and tortured (it happens - sick teen went around murdering pet cats in horrific ways in the neighbouring town a few years back)
Being hit by a car and not being killed instantly - dying from fatal injuries in a slow, painful death in a cold, wet ditch.
Being attacked by the local fox, scrapping tomcat, or neighbourhood dog who's garden it unfortunately fell asleep in.
Being trapped in a garden shed and roasting to death in a heatwave, or freezing to death in a cold winter (or starving, at any time of year)

I can think of quite a few things worse to happen to a cat than being shut in a house/garden and provided with adequate mental stimulation to compensate.

antw23uk

warehouse wrote: »

Your cat was very unlucky and I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Please don't get a house cat and don't cat proof your garden, I can think of nothing worse than confining a creature that simply loves to explore and roam.

Silly person :mad:

krlyr wrote: »

Being stolen and tortured (it happens - sick teen went around murdering pet cats in horrific ways in the neighbouring town a few years back)
Being hit by a car and not being killed instantly - dying from fatal injuries in a slow, painful death in a cold, wet ditch.
Being attacked by the local fox, scrapping tomcat, or neighbourhood dog who's garden it unfortunately fell asleep in.
Being trapped in a garden shed and roasting to death in a heatwave, or freezing to death in a cold winter (or starving, at any time of year)

I can think of quite a few things worse to happen to a cat than being shut in a house/garden and provided with adequate mental stimulation to compensate.

Sensible person :T

Sorry for your loss, sadly its unavoidable nowadays if your cat is allowed to roam. Cats are still classed as wild animals in this country so they are allowed to roam. A friend in Australia has an aviary type structure covering his garden to keep his cats contained which is law over there.

As someone has said there are types of breeds who are ok staying indoors, perhaps approach a rescue and see what older cats they have for rehome which are used to being kept indoors? That way your not getting a moggy kitten and 6 months down the line its driving you insane trying to egt out ... IMO moggies dont make great indoor cats (I've fostered over 40 cats through the years so this is my opinion based on experience)

Our eldest boy Ollie likes to roam but our British Blue Charlie either stays in or sits in the garden. In an ideal world i would love to cat proof our garden but its near impossible

spike7451

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your puddy tat.I concur with others who suggest getting another cat,Daisy is an indoor cat,partly thru choice & partly because she doesn't get on with other cats.You might like to think of re-homing a cat that cannot go outside,like an FIV cat or a handicapped cat.

COMPETITIONFANATIC

Think the best advice vets give is always ensure your cats are in before dark as that is when the accidents tend to happen when roads are quieter overnight, also get your cat spayed/neutered otherwise they cross roads looking for a mate.

clare64

MissPoppy,
I have nothing more to add - I think the previous posters have it covered.
Just to say I am so sorry for your loss - I have been in your position and it is dreadful.
Try and be strong because your little girl would not want you to be unhappy
Clarexx

rising_from_the_ashes

Awwwww hun (((hugs))) so sorry to hear your news and finding her like that must've been truely horrific:(

RIP wee one, play hard at the bridge xx


There will always be arguments for keeping cats indoors -v- letting them out. As cat owners, we have to do what we feel is best for our own individual cats and our circumstances. Mine get out - but are brought in at night as lots of additional dangers then. Would I rather they didn't go out, well, if I'm honest, that's a yes - but seeing them outside, running around and playing in the sun, I personally couldn't deny them this.

If you really don't want to let one out (which is totally understandable) - then suggestions of an indoor rescue cat are very good ones.

As for when ... that's individual too. I know people who've only lasted a day and others who've waited many months or years - you'll know when the time is right.

LisaB85

So sorry for your loss

I have a house cat who has always been a house cat, most disagree with it but would rather him indoors than picked up by some moron out to cause harm or hit by a car. He is happy indoors and has the odd potter round the garden.

My parents cats were always out until I moved mine in and since then they only really go out to go to the loo so I think an older cat can adjust to staying in.

My grandad looks after a stray (most spoiled stray in the world) and she was always outside; however they moved office and took her with them she has now got used to staying in, she is 16.