I used to let my cats go outside, but no more. They haven't been outside in a long, long time. I have had at least 3 hit by cars. The final straw, however, was when one of them got the feline leukemia virus. That was a long time ago. I used to let them out in the day, and get them in at night. Watson just had a mind of his own. In fact, we tried out several names before we found one he liked. Sometimes he just wouldn't let me get him in no matter what I bribed him with. He'd walk in front of me, just out of reach. I think maybe a net would have worked. LOL

He live about 3 years after getting the virus but I had to put him down. He just couldn't eat anymore and he wasn't very old. He had springs in his toes and could leap a 6 foot fence with ease. I taught him to walk on a leash because he liked to go out so much but I couldn't let him spread it to others. I had my other two vaccinated which was a little involved back then. It don't think my oldest cat did very well with the vaccine and she died, too, though not from that virus. The other cat that was vaccinated was young but I think he was affected by the vaccine, too, as he was never very thrifty. He was a nice friendly cat. He thought that anyone who came to the house came only for one reason, to visit him. LOL What a character!

Cheryl

Somehow, the threat of dogs, people, cars, disease...not to mention the damage they do to property and wildlife...just didn't seem worth it to me. People use the exercise argument, but your dog needs exercise too; it's up to you as the owner to make that happen.

My cat has been happily living indoors for her entire 10 years of life so far. She's happy, healthy, still plays like a kitten, and has never been sick. In fact, she hasn't needed shots of any kind since she was a kitten.

Oh...in my neighborhood we also have foxes and coyotes to contend with. So since moving here last summer, I'm pretty happy I don't have to convince her to stay inside!

Yes, where I am visiting my family now, there are coyotes. My sister lets her cats out during the day and gets them in at night. There is a fence around the house and outbuildings but the cats can get outside the fence. One of their cats disappeared, compliments of a coyote. She says she can't keep them in but....

All 3 of my cats are indoor cats now and except for the one that was wild for the first year of her life, they have all always lived indoors. My oldest is 16. We feed the birds outside and the cats can, and do, watch from a safe distance for all.

I don't have to worry about where they are, if they are safe, or any of those things. I see microchipped pets missing all the time. Cats and dogs. The chance of getting a lost pet back seems mighty slim. I like my pets safe and I like my peace of mind knowing they are safe.

Cheryl

Well, the last few weeks we have been going through some dental challenges and the finding the right vet challenges, too. I hadn't really done much about finding a vet in this area although I had seen that there were a few. Then my oldest cat got watery eyes and she wasn't eating as much. I knew she had a dental problem.

After asking around, I found a vet that even made house calls. The only thing was, after I got my cat there, I found out she didn't do dental! So she referred me to a clinic in another town. Before I could get to the other vet, my husband's cat was exhibiting the same symptoms as mine had. There was no point going to the first vet who didn't do dental work so I had an opportunity to look around again, and also ask around. This time a new friend, who turns out to be a pet communicator, recommended a vet in another, different town. I decided to try there.

I liked both him and his staff plus his prices seemed much more reasonable, not that dental work on a pet seems reasonable to begin with. So that meant traipsing up there with my other cat, too. So now the two of them have had their dental work done, and our third cat has had her exam and fortunately does not need dental work at this time. Hurray!

Now of course, I am giving two cats antibiotic for a few more days, plus my husband's cat is also on pain meds as she had a couple extractions. She is watching me very carefully these days. I wonder why? I, for one, will be glad to be done with dispensing medication. I have had worse cats to medicate in the past, though. Some of them can be screaming banshees.

They are recovering nicely. Wish I could say the same about the pocketbook. It takes a pretty penny to get to the vet's these days! It pays to shop around and find a vet you like, and also does not charge exorbitantly. Most vets do seem to care about the animals they see. I guess it is expensive to pay rent, a staff, etc. I just don't remember having to pay so much in the past.

What kind of experiences have the rest of you had?

Cheryl

How come every time you go to a vet now they want to put your animal on antibiotics?

I am discussed with the vets. Always wanted to give shots. I wish I could go to this one.

A friend on ALP recommended this online vet. http://www.aweber.com/z/c/?xsjwc3cag9rbhs4udamty036mg==9286

He is against all these shots, because he was giving his dog the shots and he became ill and died. He said I do not do that any more.

Myrna