The Poultry Keeper

Sparklepeeps · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1886 Location: Cheshire

Humbug!

I just want to grumble Evil or Very Mad

We have been trying to buy a Devon Rex or Oriental kitten recently, and some of the breeders I have contacted have refused to sell their kittens to me because I am not prepared to keep my pets locked under duress inside the house for the rest of their lives!

*RANT BEGINS*
I believe that cats have natural instincts that they need to act out to have any quality of life, and all my cats have been allowed access to a cat flap during the day time, and in my opinion have been all the happier and healthier for it!

I am fully aware of the risks of loosing a precious pet to accidents out doors, however I have always believed that a shorter (but happier and fulfilled) life, is better that a long, drawn out, frustrated life of captivity indoors!
*RANT OVER*

A breeder just told me that he once rehomed a cat to a very rural out door location, but it got scratched by a feral cat, got septicemia and very nearly died Rolling Eyes

... that is a very rare occurrence, but that's what cats do! For God Sake!

AAArrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Is it me being unreasonable here? I can offer a very spoilt and loving, doted on home for the right cat, it would be spoilt to high heaven. Surely thats all a breeder needs to know... I could promise to keep it indoors all it life, but it might jump through the banisters or jump on a hot hob etc etc etc.

*Annoyed*

(edited to say.... (rant continues!) An indoor house is not necessarily healthier, they could be over fed on inappropriate foods by some 'ideal' owners and dye an early death from heart disease! Plus less exercise!)

*Double grumble*

debcat · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject:

mine get the choice,
2 of them never go out, one goes out and back in in 2 minutes
the rest come and go as they want

I used to live on a busy road though and cats I had then where kept in all the time

Auntie Katie · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 238 Location: Cambridgeshire

My friend has two siamese cats that are indoor cats and seem to quite like it. During the summer when the patio doors are open they go out in the garden and one has even venutured over the fence into next doors garden but once there she couldn't work out how to get back and my friend had to go round and get her - she hasn't attempted to go back there again! Very Happy

During the winter they spend so much time asleep in their radiator beds nothing could get them to go outside even if they were allowed!

We've always let our cats do what they want. (when I was allowed to have one!!)

Sparklepeeps · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1886 Location: Cheshire

Although I have found one breeder who is happy to interview us to give one of her babies a home...

14 week old Devon Rex often referred to as 'Gremlin' cats, they have curly non moulting hair (good for people with cat allergies), they wag their tails when they are happy, they can learn tricks, and they are not snotty like other cats as they go to anyone who shows them attention and they LOVE kids.

We meet her tomorrow to see if we like each other!

Cat lovers... check this adorable devon rex cat out!...
Devon Rex that Yawns
Devon Rex does tricks

CP · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject:

Cats are cats & should be allowed their freedom. Wink

debcat · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:03 pm Post subject:

sparklepeeps those kittens are gorgeous Very Happy

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1316 Location: Leicestershire

I agree with you Sparky. My cat (although she's just a moggy) can go outside whenever she wants - not that she wants too much at this time of year Laughing

I suppose the biggest risk you run is that someone will steal a cat like that. I'd still let them out though.

When I bought my pony - he came complete with rugs, I told them I didn't want them as I had my own, I daren't tell them that if he came to live with me he would never see another rug, as they wouldn't have sold him to me.

Itsybitsy

Char · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 33 Location: Carmarthenshire

I love the Devon Rex - they are a fantastic breed. I would love another cat but can't have one as we are on a main road. I personally wouldn't like to keep cats in although I have friends that do.

I clicker trained my cat to sit and fetch and twizzle Smile

He was just a moggy.

Bhindi · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject:

A cat sunbathing in the garden is one contented cat, I could never deprive them of the pleasure outdoors.

I hope you and the kitten both like each other, but by the sounds of it, its pretty much guaranteed!

ashley.crowther · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 367 Location: Shropshire, UK

AWW!!!

My cat stays in at night but can do as he pleases in the day time (usually torturing rabbits - he brought me back the *gift* of a dead rabbit nearly the same size as him today Rolling Eyes

)

Auntie Katie · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 238 Location: Cambridgeshire

I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sad

Me and OH are getting married in exactly 6 months today, I'm thinking of trading him in - I think if I get weight for weight I should be able have several cats, a horse and probably some pigs too!

p.s does anybody know where you can trade in your OH? Very Happy

Sparklepeeps · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1886 Location: Cheshire

Why are you not allowed one Auntie Katie?

Dusty · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 463 Location: St. Asaph

Sparkepeeps those kittens are gorgeous.

I have had cats when I lived on busy roads and they learn't the green cross code!!! Seriously I watched them sit at the kerb and look left and right before crossing Shocked

They lived with at least 7 of their lives intact before we moved here where we are 200 metres away from traffic and they had a happy few years surrounded by fields and yes they too brought rabbits home.

I've now got a rescue cat and he also has a cat flap. I watched him play hide and seek with me today and love to see him in the sun. just wish he would stop bringing me pressies of mice and rabbits!

I could not keep a cat inside, it's not natural. Evil or Very Mad

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6805 Location: isle of lewis

i did keep mine indoors in portsmouth
we had one we are pretty sure it was stolen
if you read the local newpaper ,for 2 weeks it would be nothing but black cats then the week after ,it would be tabbies ,so on ,we also had one shaved by a neighbours teenage child Evil or Very Mad

goodness knows how they did it ,there were kniks all over him
when i spoke to the local rspca about the missing cat i was told that they get stollen for the fur trade ,and i'm afraid spice ,my maine coon meant to much to me to let that happen to her so she and my simease spent anout 7 years indoors
beano was a rescue and slept all the time anyway he died at 22
when we moved here there was no chance of that happening so spice is allowed out ,she sleeps most of the day sleeping indoors anyway now ,or supervousing when we are moving a heavy coop normally from on top of it Rolling Eyes

but she's getting on more ,i do think they are happier when they are allowed outdoors though Wink

,i tend to think it's up to the breeder
if i ever breed (i'm not going to )from my border colie ,it would be obedience or agility homes only at a push sheepdog working homes
i don't breed because i'm sure i'd find a reason why somebody couldn't have one of mine
i'd even turn down myself Rolling Eyes

mojo · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

all you folks keep saying MY cat .........our cat owns US and she decides whether she goes in or out stays or goes....shouts when she wants feeding or her water changing...........so she does her thing and we adapt to her life style............p.s. lovely kittys