Just saw a cat walking along a fence. The fence was right beside a busy

[applegrove]

boulevard. I cringe these days when I see cats outside in the downtown area. I lost a cat to traffic once. I now don't believes cats should be let outside unless you live in a quiet, quiet neighbourhood. What say you?

[Curmudgeoness]

1. I have also seen too many cats lost to traffic.

And I worry about the cats that are wandering free outside. However, I do let my cat outside every once in a while....but keep him in view all the time and have taught him where the boundaries of the yard are and to come when he is called. It is a treat for him to go out, but I know that there are too many dangers for outdoor cats.

With that said, I will say that there are a few (several) cats in my neighborhood that are outdoor cats or homeless cats and they seem to be very street-smart. Many have been here for years.

[applegrove]

2. I had another cat that used to go outside but he would run away from

the busy street so I trusted him. This cat I saw tonight I don't know. So perhaps that is why I am so worried.

[hlthe2b]

3. Heavens.. I'm crushed nearly daily lately because of the wild rabbits I see lying dead in the road

on my morning walks. Bad enough to see them on busy streets, but I saw one dead in my neighborhood. Makes me want to plaster the neighborhood with "rabbit crossing" signs since clearly if they hit the rabbits, dogs, cats, and kids can't be far from next.

So, yes-- no way would I allow a cat out in a trafficked area-- probably not at all where I live, given the potential for coyotes to pick them off.

[HeiressofBickworth]

4. I live in a small town

right outside of Seattle. It's a developed area and we live on a cul-de-sac. One night quite a few years ago, my daughter saw a coyote at the end of the street. We haven't let our cats out since then. Just to be on the safe side.

[applegrove]

5. That's a good policy. Suburbs must be easy pickings for coyotes.