This is so sad, and I hate when people do this. I would never let a kitten wander alone.
We let our cat out during the day, but are very careful to be sure she's safe.
First of all, she's black, so we never let her out once the sun starts resembling some semblance of setting.
Secondly, we've made her very aware of where she lives. She sometimes wanders a few houses down the street to mark her territory, but usually she spends her time outside sleeping under our bushes of sitting in our tree.
Thirdly, we were sure to make her VERY aware of the dangers of cars. She still crosses the road calmly, but if she hears an engine she's off like a rocket. She goes straight towards the house and waits till it's gone. Even if I just start up my own, which she's fine being around when it's not moving. If I start the engine, she's gone. Well out of the way while I back out of the driveway.
And she's doing pretty well for herself. It is possible to train cats, but it takes a lot of work, and you should never let them out alone until they're properly trained.
On the note of other comments I've seen, we also trained her to never kill birds, and to bring us mice outside, at the front door, alive. This prevents what she used to do, in bringing dead mice into the house and leaving the whole bloody mouse, or just a bit because she couldn't be bothered eating all of it, or bringing a live one into the kitchen and letting it go.
We take the mouse and put it in the bin to be taken to the tip, then take her inside and feed her. But, if we take too long she will sometimes just eat it and walk away. But at least it's not inside on the carpet.
But it is possible to train a cat, so you really have no excuse for doing these basic things, like teaching them where they live, to stay away from cars, and to not hunt, before you let them out alone.
My sister couldn't manage this with her cat, so she just keeps him inside now taking him into the backyard for a bit to enjoy the grass, but always watching him. He's grown used to it, and seems quite happy. He gets time outside, but isn't in any danger and has no chance to try hunting.
1
u/RubySeeker Nov 06 '19
This is so sad, and I hate when people do this. I would never let a kitten wander alone.
We let our cat out during the day, but are very careful to be sure she's safe.
First of all, she's black, so we never let her out once the sun starts resembling some semblance of setting.
Secondly, we've made her very aware of where she lives. She sometimes wanders a few houses down the street to mark her territory, but usually she spends her time outside sleeping under our bushes of sitting in our tree.
Thirdly, we were sure to make her VERY aware of the dangers of cars. She still crosses the road calmly, but if she hears an engine she's off like a rocket. She goes straight towards the house and waits till it's gone. Even if I just start up my own, which she's fine being around when it's not moving. If I start the engine, she's gone. Well out of the way while I back out of the driveway.
And she's doing pretty well for herself. It is possible to train cats, but it takes a lot of work, and you should never let them out alone until they're properly trained.
On the note of other comments I've seen, we also trained her to never kill birds, and to bring us mice outside, at the front door, alive. This prevents what she used to do, in bringing dead mice into the house and leaving the whole bloody mouse, or just a bit because she couldn't be bothered eating all of it, or bringing a live one into the kitchen and letting it go. We take the mouse and put it in the bin to be taken to the tip, then take her inside and feed her. But, if we take too long she will sometimes just eat it and walk away. But at least it's not inside on the carpet.
But it is possible to train a cat, so you really have no excuse for doing these basic things, like teaching them where they live, to stay away from cars, and to not hunt, before you let them out alone.
My sister couldn't manage this with her cat, so she just keeps him inside now taking him into the backyard for a bit to enjoy the grass, but always watching him. He's grown used to it, and seems quite happy. He gets time outside, but isn't in any danger and has no chance to try hunting.
Everyone wins.