Hi All

Have just discovered this forum so this is my first post. We have 3 dogs and up until October we had a gorgeous tabby kitten who was sadly killed by a car aged nearly 8 months.
We are now considering getting another kitten at some point but am curious to find out if there are any ways (fact or old wives tales!) that you can stop a cat from wandering too far. Archie was neutered and we didn't let him out in the dark (until the fateful evening when the nights were drawing in, it was mild, we had guests and the kids were in and out of the back garden)
The road we live on isn't too bad, with speedbumps, the road about 100 yards behind our house isn't busy but cars do go faster as it is v straight with no speedbumps, the area itself is pretty quiet, our garden is a reasonable size, approx 70 feet x 50 feet, cat proofing isn't an option.
An indoor cat wouldn't work as the kids and dogs are always leaving door open!
Are female cats less prone to wandering? I read an article somewhere where a woman said she stands near roads holding her kittens hissing at cars, I could see how that might work...
Anyways, waffling now, please be gentle with me, even if you think I am mad!

Hayley

__________________

If cats could talk they would lie to you
http://www.lambchopsiamese.webs.com

I have tried the holding the kitten by the road thing and to be honest they only seem scared when a car is actually driving by, the thing is to get your cat used to looking before they cross and its usually experience that does that, we have 4 cats and (fingers crossed) they seem quite careful on the road, if you don't let them out untill they are past that fearless age they seem to be a bit scared of everything outside which isn't always a bad thing. Sorry to hear about the loss of your other little kitten its a horrible way to loose them especially so young.

I'm really sorry to hear about your poor fur baby.

I have eight cats - seven spayed females and a neutered male. They all go out, although the younger three are shut in a spare room at night. My females tend to just wander in my garden or yard but my male often disappears for a couple of days. It really worries me and I am always so relieved when he comes home. If it's in the evening he comes in with me so I know he is safe overnight but he gets stir crazy after a few hours and claws the door and carpet to get out.

I am fortunate in that where I live is a dead end around a sharp bend and cars can't physically go very fast so my girls who don't go far are reasonably safe from traffic. As my male wanders I have put a reflective collar on him but I wouldn't get a male cat again unless I intended to keep him as an indoor puss.

Thanks everybody, dogmother, when would you say the fearless age ends? (Not really a cat person, more exp with dogs!) Archie was nearly 8 months and still full of it, we had been letting him out since he was neutered at around 6 months. Sounds like a girl would be a better idea, and a reflective collar, and the harness, my daughter would love that! Maybe we could walk her with the dogs! (Joking, don't worry!)

Are there many kittens around this time of year? Struggled last year until April when they started becoming avail... Cats protection didn't want to know us because of the dogs, despite the fact that they are all used to previous cats.

Hi Hayley,so sorry for the tragic loss of your kitten,and if you really intend on getting another then maybe think about a harness/catlead as the others have suggested,female cats are just as if not more curious to go out and about so the sex i don't think comes into things in that respect

I don't think there are any guarantees , no tricks or secrets, it's just luck. When my cats still went out I lost one when he wasn't even on the rd, sheltering under my next door neighbours car on the drive It wasn't her fault, she was devastated poor lady.

All cats are curious, and all rds have cars on no matter how quiet they are, and it only takes the one.

I am so sorry for your loss, and I know how heart breaking it feels. That's why my cats are now house cats. SOme people I know have had success with harnesses if they started training young, there are the options of cat proof fencing for your garden or a cat run as well.

__________________

Thanks everyone, what a great bunch you are. We will have a serious think about whether we think getting another kitten is a good idea or not, wanting one is not enough, we would all be devastated if it were to happen again, I am sure Archie was just very unlikely but I could never guarantee another cat wouldn't get out after dark, or be as mischievious as he was...

Thankyou for your kind compliment as we are a great bunch,and if you were to get another kitt,then i'm sure Archie would make his spirit knownAnd am glad that you are really thinking before you decide,that in itself for me shows you as responsible and caring

It is so hard to know what to do for the best, we have neighbours with cats that have survivied the road so there is a good chance we would be luckier next time. My daughter would so love a new fur ball to love, she was devoted to Archie, and he to her. The dogs are great, one of them is unusually cuddly for a dog, but they are all quite big so she is unable to do a lot with them on her own. I just wish I had a crystal ball....