Last spring CFHS launched a national campaign to encourage owners to keep their cats indoors. A radio public service announcement was produced and distributed to all major radio stations in Canada. The message presents a cat's perspective of the dangers of life outdoors. In addition to the radio message, CFHS developed a factsheet, Happy Indoor Cats. It includes many helpful tips on providing a safe and happy environment indoors. Single copies are available free of charge from CFHS. CFHS sincerely appreciates financial contributions from the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada and from two anonymous donors who made this project possible.
Editor's Note: Julie Pankratz of Ottawa wrote the following letter to the editor of the Ottawa Citizen in September. Unfortunately, Julie had heard CFHS' indoor cat message too late…
The day I found out that my cat had been killed on the road, I heard, for the first time, the Humane Society's public-service announcement about keeping cats indoors. I wondered whether it would have made any difference to me if I had heard it earlier but rationally concluded that it probably wouldn't. My decision to let Jelly roam free was a considerate one. She seemed restless after being cooped up in the house at night so, wanting to improve the quality of her life, I opened the door for her.
Cats are wily and cunning, nimble and quick, but they stand no chance against a car. The sight of a beloved family pet lying on the side of the road is enough to break even the toughest heart. Talking with neighbours alerted me to the number of cats killed on the road every week – three on Glebe streets in recent days. I also learned that the Humane Society picks up more road-kill cats than any other animal.
Jelly was only three, and an absolute delight. She is sadly missed in our home. Yet it has taken this personal tragedy to change my opinion about what being a responsible cat owner really means. My two kittens have harnesses and leashes and will never be allowed outside unsupervised. They aren't taking well to harnesses, but I'm determined to persevere so they can occasionally enjoy a different environment and fresh air.
Don't believe this kind of horror could never happen to you. If you love them, keep them in.
Reprinted with permission from the Ottawa Citizen, September 17, 1998