![\"smokey-004\"](\"http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/smokey-004-225x300.jpg\" "\\"smokey-004\\"")
So why do so many cats go missing and how can we protect our own cats? First and foremost, do as so many pet experts say, \u201cKeep your cats inside.\u201d I know, I know, some cats just won\u2019t tolerate being cooped up, even in a spacious home. My mother\u2019s cat\u2014the cat I patterned Rags, the klepto cat in my story, Catnapped,<\/em> after\u2014is one of those. From day one, when Smokey was a wee kitten, he wanted to explore the out of doors. Even though he has a background as a relaxed Ragdoll cat, there\u2019s something in his genes that makes him almost have<\/em> to explore the outdoors\u2014like he\u2019s some Crocodile Dundee cat or something. The only time he\u2019ll stay inside of his own volition is when it\u2019s raining and then he pouts all day. (And since he lives in Southern California, there are not very many rainy days.)<\/p>\nWhat are some of the dangers for outside cats?<\/strong> \u2022\tPoisoning\u2014accidental as well as on purpose. (Folks, some of your neighbors hate cats.)<\/p>\n \u2022\tNeighbors might be on a trapping rampage to get rid of the cats that roam into their yards.<\/p>\n \u2022\tCats get closed inside sheds, garages, barns and so forth. <\/p>\n \u2022\tCats have been known to climb into a truck, trailer or car and end up traveling for miles and miles.<\/p>\n \u2022\tThere are natural predators (coyotes, wolves, owls, eagles, hawks) and domesticated ones such as dogs and even larger cats protecting their own territories.<\/p>\n \u2022\tAnd as in my story, cats are vulnerable to being catnapped for a variety of purposes\u2014because they\u2019re pretty or thought to be stray, to be used in experiments or as mousers where rodents are a huge problem, for example.<\/p>\n So what can you do to keep an outdoor cat safe? Ideally, you will force the issue of him staying indoors until he gets used to the idea. (Yeah, good luck with that one.) Cats can be extremely determined. I know one in my neighborhood whose human still can\u2019t figure out how she was getting out. It\u2019s as if the cat had the power to become liquid and ooze through the keyhole or under the door when no one was looking. This cat\u2019s life ended at around five years when she was hit by a car.<\/p>\n Another great idea for giving in to the cat while keeping him safe is to build him an outdoor run with fenced in areas in the yard where he can romp in grass, chase butterflies and have other real cat-life experiences. This can be as simple or elaborate as you can manage. I\u2019ve seen a couple of these wonderful \u201cfreedom\u201d enclosures and have observed how much cats love them. Check these out: http:\/\/images.search.yahoo.com\/search\/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=ytff1-tyc&va=outdoor+enclosure+for+cats<\/a> <\/p>\n If your cat really, absolutely MUST go out,<\/strong> \u2022\tFeed at the same time each day so he\u2019s more apt to be ready to come in at, say, 3:30 every afternoon.<\/p>\n \u2022\tOffer playtime inside to help him use up some of that energy and maybe he won\u2019t feel the need to go out so often or for so long.<\/p>\n \u2022\tProvide lots of interesting things in your yard so he won\u2019t wander. This might include cat toys, cat trees\u2014jungle gyms, small trees he can climb, shrubs where he can hide out, flowers and other plants that attract lizards and butterflies. Always keep fresh water outside, but you may not want to feed him outside. If you do, he may be less eager to come in when he\u2019s hungry.<\/p>\n \u2022\tInstall one strand of electric wire around the top of your 6-foot wood or rock fence. I\u2019ve known cats to learn the benefits of staying in their own yards after just one mild electrical shock.<\/p>\n \u2022\tMake sure he has an escape route in case of danger\u2014a kitty door into the garage, for example. <\/p>\n Some argue that even inside cats are subjected to dangers. It\u2019s true. And I will write a post about how to keep your inside cats safe. I also know that there are some cats you just can\u2019t keep inside and keep your sanity and his. But if you allow your cat to enjoy the great out-of-doors, do consider some of these safety measures. Remember, you are the human in charge. Of course, you want to make your kitty happy. \u201cDevoted Cat Person\u201d is our name and spoiling is our game, right? But it is also your responsibility to keep your cat safe.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve sold over 800 copies of Catnapped, A Klepto Cat Mystery <\/em>in just a scant few months. If you haven\u2019t downloaded your copy to your Kindle, you\u2019re in for a surprise. We\u2019ve just replaced the original version with an improved, updated, revised edition of the book. Read it now for only $2.99. Find out why cats in Hammond, CA were being catnapped. Get to know Rags, the charming klepto cat. You\u2019ll gasp, you\u2019ll laugh and you may shed a tear or two during some of the more touching chapters. http:\/\/amzn.to\/14OCk0W<\/a> <\/p>\n Reviews for this charming cozy mystery are coming in. We got another five-star review yesterday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today, I want to talk about cat\u2019s disappearing. We all see signs and posters up on telephone poles and sign posts, especially this time of year, saying \u201cCat Missing,\u201d or \u201cLost Cat.\u201d Sometimes there\u2019s a reward offered. Other times a … Continue reading
\n\u2022\tTraffic.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tAlways, always bring him in before dusk.<\/p>\n