Should your cat go outdoors?

OK, this cat should definitely go outdoors — and stay there!

But what about your cat? Should she be allowed outdoors? Is it cruel to keep her indoors?

No, it’s not cruel. It’s kind and smart.

Thanks to the creation and widespread use of cat litter since the mid-1940s, more and more pets cats are staying inside. More and more are indoor-only pets. At Safe Haven, we think that’s exactly the way it should be.

Indoor cats lead longer, healthier lives

According to Jacque Lynn Schultz, C.P.D.T., Companion Animal Programs Adviser, National Outreach, indoor cats generally lead longer, healthier lives.

“The average indoor cat lives to be ten to twelve years old, and many of us know felines who are older than twenty. Conversely, outdoor-only cats survive for an average of two years in that situation.”

Two years!? Obviously, our homes offer a safer, healthier environment than life on the street. The benefits are obvious:

• No ticks or fleas (unless the family dog brings them in)
• No painful encounters with rabid raccoons, aromatic skunks or hungry coyotes
• No risk of a painful, terrifying death by automobile.

There’s no doubt about it — indoors is safest! More at Petfinder.com.

If you appreciate our No-Kill work, please consider making a small donation.

The kitties thank you!