We are currently in the process of buying our first home. YAY!

Currently we rent a home on 25 heavly wooded acres and have an inclosed mud room off the front door and this is where our cat comes to sleep. She is a great mouser and loves to roam.

Now we are moving to a home in a neighborhood. I am not sure how I should introduce our cat to the home. If I should keep her inside for a couple of days and then slowly allow he rto roam the neighborhood or if I should just let her be outside right away. I guess I am nervous she will run off. Any suggestions?

She is 3 and has always been an outside cat. However, she is litter boxed trained.

The life of an outdoor cat is extremely dangerous - there are predators ranging from other cats to people who don't want other people's animals on their property. People in a lot of neighborhoods aren't really thrilled with roaming cats.

The average lifetime of an indoor cat is 12-20 years. At's 1-5 years for an outdoor cat.

People pick up cats, bring them inside, decide they can't be bothered and dump them.

If you are determined to do make sure the cat has ID on a collar which he cannot use to hang himself.

Reasons to Keep Your Cat Indoors | Pet Care Article | petco.com (http://www.petco.com/Content/ArticleList/Article/13/2/181/Reasons-to-Keep-Your-Cat-Indoors.aspx)

Just pulled out my rescue manual:

" Allowing cats to roam outdoors unattended is just as dangerous and unwise as allowing a toddler to wander down the street alone.

Cats face countless dangers outdoors: They can be hit by cars, attacked by other animals, or abused by cruel people. They can contract contagious diseases or parasites. They can be poisoned by spilled antifreeze or maimed by fan blades when they crawl into warm vehicle engines on winter days. They can even be stolen by dogfighters who use them as "bait" or by "bunchers" who cruise neighborhoods for friendly dogs and cats who can easily be picked up and sold to dealers, who in turn sell them to laboratories for use in painful experiments.

What's more, free-roaming cats defecate in gardens and sandboxes and eat plants on other people's property. Angry, exasperated neighbors frequently take matters into their own hands. PETA's office routinely gets calls from people whose cats have been stolen, shot, poisoned, or tortured to death. Such crimes are rarely pursued by law enforcement, as perpetrators know to commit them when no one is watching, leaving insufficient evidence for prosecution.

Many people have learned the hard way never to let their cats out unaccompanied. In Pompano, Florida, lost dogs and cats were found in a large storage warehouse used by dogfighting "trainers." In South Dakota, a fur trader was caught selling cat skins. In Washington, D.C., a cat let out for her daily stroll returned covered with burns from hot cooking grease. In California, a woman searching for her cats found that both had been shot with arrows. The list goes on and on.

Cats who are allowed outdoors are also a threat to wildlife. The American Bird Conservancy estimates that free-roaming cats kill millions of birds and small mammals in the U.S. every year, including endangered species such as the least tern and the piping plover.

Cats are not native wildlife and do not fit into the predator-prey ecosystem. Their hunting instincts exist no matter how well fed they are. They terrorize, maim, and kill countless native birds and other small wild animals, who are struggling to survive existing challenges (such as development in their habitats) and aren't equipped to deal with such predators. These small animals die from repeated puncture wounds and from being crushed by cats' jaws. Unfortunately, many cats spend a great deal of time playing with their dying, convulsing prey, whose suffering is intense. Many of these animals are then left to die slowly when they stop struggling but remain alive."

I do see kidnapped animals used for bait or teasers, as does one of my stepdaughters.

I've seen the video of cats ripped to shreds so dogs can get the taste of blood, the "thrill" of the chase. - inside a cage.

Then there are people who find stays on the side of the road, take them home, decide they are too sick/injured to care for, take them back days and days later and dump them, leaving them to suffer.

I'm assuming you don't want this for your child's pet? Of course, roaming cats have far more exposure to disease than indoor cats and some of those disease are carried "home" to "their" humans. Ever seen a child with ringworm?

I strongly urge you to keep your cat indoors at all times once you have moved into your new home. Our rescued cats (who showed up at our front door or appeared in our backyard) are always kept indoors and have lived from 15-20 years. We have a neighbor who allows his cat to roam our fairly quiet neighborhood, but he has run through I don't know how many cats as they have been hit by cars, killed by predators (dogs/racoons/coyotes), and been badly injured (and then euthanized). "So what," he says. "I'll just get another one."

If you love your cat, keep her indoors. (She's spayed, right?)

In the event the cat is not spayed and doesn't have all its shots someone posted, "Have you ever heard of Care Credit? It is a credit card that you can apply for to help with vet bills."

I understand the interest rate is very high, but it's a thought.

Our cat cameo, now deceased from old age, came up from Michigan with us, spayed, lived with us through three moves. This was many years ago, and she was a farm cat. I always kept her in for 2 or 3 days until letting her roam outside. Nothing ever happened and she was always at our back door at supper time.

I don't think you will have anything to worry about. She knows where her person is.

Thank you to everyone who responded.

I am aware of all of the nasty things that can happen to a cat who is an outside cat.

She has been outsid eher whole life and really knows no different.

I have tried to allow her to become an indoor pet but she does not like it. In fact she sits at the door and meows something terrible.

She is spayed and she does have all of her shots up to date. I take care of my animals as if they were my children.

Thank you to everyone who responded.

I am aware of all of the nasty things that can happen to a cat who is an outside cat.

She has been outsid eher whole life and really knows no different.

I have tried to allow her to become an indoor pet but she does not like it. In fact she sits at the door and meows something terrible.

She is spayed and she does have all of her shots up to date. I take care of my animals as if they were my children.
The cats we have rescued were outside cats all of their lives too until they came to live with us. We made the indoors fun and interesting for them. AND cats sleep about 16 hours a day, so why does she "need" to be outdoors? If she howls at the door, divert her attention with empty boxes and paper bags and catnip toys and interactive playthings and a cat tree and soft cushions to sleep on, but make sure she has windows and patio doors to sit in and watch what is going on outdoors.

Trust me. I have tried to divert her attention. It is her instinct to be outdoors.

But thank you for the advice.

Trust me. I have tried to divert her attention. It is her instinct to be outdoors.
It's a child's instinct to do his business in his diaper whenever he feels like it, but then you toilet train.

If you are going into a neighborhood with streets and cars, and you allow her to roam at will, you are signing her death certificate. There is no guarantee she will stay in on your property. It will be a whole new world for her to explore.

Well, like I said thank you for your advice.

I think I will follow tickles advice and keep her in for the first couple of days, then go from there.

Well, like I said thank you for your advice.

I think I will follow tickles advice and keep her in for the first couple of days, then go from there.
Cats need to live securely in a new place for two weeks before they accept that's their home. I hope she shows up for mealtimes.

When we moved we would take our animals with us, it wasn't just moving to a new city, it would be a new country. I have never lost a cat because of a move, ever. They are much more resourceful then you think they are.

Sorry, but it's your own wording - "I take care of my animals as if they were my children."

So your children roam the neighborhood unsupervised? I don't treat my dogs like I treat my (step) children. Those are two different categories in my live. Anyway, I trust the cat has ID and can't hang herself on her collar?

Lol. No, my son will not roam the neighborhood.

I was talking about medical stuff. I am a responsible pet owner. I know that there ar epeople out there who will see me as an irresponsible pet owner if I choose to allow our cat to roam the neighborhood. That is okay because eI know that I take care of my animals.

I will get her an I.D. collar that she won't be able to hang herself with.

When I was growing up we lived in a neighborhood. All of our cats were indoor/outdoor cats and were all fine. I am not going to ban my cat for being outdoors, somewhere she loves. I will take all the precautions and see that she is adjusted before allowing her to explore her new territory.

Thank you

Of course dogs don't roam the neighbourhood unsupervised around here, but everyone has cats, cats, cats. I know them all, they don't come into our garden because they know Pickle is around and it is her territory.

All my cats have been outdoor cats, except of course in the winter time when they don't want to wander in the snow.

I won't put a collar of any kind on Pickle after seeing a cat hung and dead a few years ago because she got caught in a bush.

Years ago they wanted people to license cats in Toronto city of millions of people), well that got shot down immediately because they are basically free spirits, so how can you license them?

@busymomma. I don't think you will have any problem with your cat. And I doubt you will find a collar you will be happy with. Anything around an outdoor cat's neck is not a good idea.

Tick, it depends on where you live. I can wave to you from my house from the other side of the River (as you know) and "here" there is a BIG feral cat push. There are Have-A-Harts set up on many lawns and in many gardens. Once those cats are captured they are neutered (some of them), placed for adoption, euthanized. Cats are such a problem that poison has been set out by people who don't know animals suffer. I have dogs. I would never, ever allow my dogs to roam. Their preference, of course, is to run wild and chase down whatever they can. Fortunately they are not in charge.

Any animal without ID can be taken in by anyone else who thinks that that animal is a stray - whether it is or not. Suddenly that cat is an indoor cat and never finds its way "home."

I live in the country, as you know, and I scrape cats up off the pavement on a regular basis. There are cat fights on my front deck - and my area is attempting to curb the cat population!

But I am preaching to myself.

But I am preaching to myself.
No, I hear you and agree. The cats we have rescued from our front porch and back yard were strays that had either been dumped or been someone's free-range pet (one of our females was already spayed and front-declawed, so someone must have owned her).

We do our best to locate owners and check for microchips. We work with our local cat shelter to humanely trap and rehome those feral and stray cats we cannot take in. We know our neighbors' cats who are allowed to roam and refuse to feed them so they don't get confused as to where they live.

And yes, my sons as well as my cats have had a lot of "instincts" over the years to do what they loved and move about freely, but sometimes I had to curb their enthusiasms in order to protect them and prolong their lives.

Thank you Tickle. I think that you are right about the collar idea.

We live in Washington State. When I mention living in a neighborhood, it is not like house to house to house with busy streets. It is a small community with very few houses on a road less traveled. Our neighbors on either side are a good distant away from us.

I guess I was concerned more about how the cat would adjust. Not about how the neighborhood would.

I guess I was concerned more about how the cat would adjust. Not about how the neighborhood would.
There are "breakaway" collars that will come off if it gets snagged on something.

If you insist on allowing your cat to be free range, then do it in increments. Keep her in the house for two weeks to set in her mind that this is where she now lives. (Cats HATE change, so she needs to settle in.) Then take her outdoors in your yard either on a leash or somehow being with her and keeping an eye on her the entire time. Have a special feeding station outside (say, on the back stoop) and let her eat there while you both are outside. (Food helps establish the cat's feeling, "I live here.") Don't leave uneaten food sitting there because possums and raccoons and who knows what wild animal will eat it -- and you don't want to attract wild animals.

Is your new yard fenced?

Yes, it is completely fenced.

My grandmother always said, put butter on your cats paws and they will always come back, of course, that is tongue in cheek and also very Scottish.

I think that I have had my question answered.

Like I said, I will follow Tickles advice on this one.

I am sure my cat will be fine.

We won't be moving until August, but I will keep you updated on how she is adjusting. If everyone wanted to know?

We wont be moving until August, but I will keep you updated on how she is adjusting. If everyone wanted to know?
Yes, please let us know that she adjusts and is happy in her new home.

For that reason, that you will be back, I will not close this thread.

Will do!

Thank you everyone for all of your thoughtful advice.

Busymomma, thank you for understanding that when you post on the "pet" boards the interest is the pet - sometimes the advice is harsh. I've certainly received advice I didn't like, but people are passionate about their animals.

And to tick - does your advice ("My grandmother always said, put butter on your cats paws and they will always come back") work for significant others. For that matter, does anyone want it to work for significant others?

@Judy, it only works for cats. And it does work because once a cat finds you, and makes you its own, it will never leave you, butter or no butter.

@Judy, it only works for cats. And it does work because once a cat finds you, and makes you its own, it will never leave you, butter or no butter.
If that is true, how did I end up with several previously "owned" cats whose owners cannot be found?

WG, you're a supersmart woman. You should be able to figure this out. It's because the previous owner forgot to butter the cats' feet!

Yes that too but maybe the cats liked WG better because she has a nicer house.

My laugh for the day - anyway, don't dogs have owners and cats have staff?

Maybe WG is a better "wait person."

Yes that too but maybe the cats liked WG better because she has a nicer house.
1920s house, very small one-level bungalow, two tiny bedrooms, 1950s kitchen and bathroom (our "starter" home that has become our retirement home), but lots of cat-friendly climbing/viewing opportunities and places to sleep. Kuro is in the dining room window now, dozing and watching birds in the huge bush outside the window and people walking their dogs past our house. Dido, Matty, and Little Debbie are napping in various places. All is right with the world.

Pickle is in my garden far too interested in my toadies right now; I am watching her like a hawk just in case. There is nothing more pitiful then a toadie pinned down by a cat, no defence. When she gets too close, if I can see it happening, I throw water on her but it doesn't teach her a lesson, she is too much of a hunter to pay any attention to me. But she does mind Brook if I sic the dog on her to chase her away.

Don't report me for cat abuse.

it doesnt teach her a lesson
Cats can't be taught lessons. :)

My neighbor's rabbit had gotten away from her and ended up in our yard. We, not knowing who owned the rabbit, brought it inside and put it in a big box with a screen over the top until we could locate the owner. Our cats sat happily on the couch and looked down into the box and watched the rabbit with great interest, like it was the movie of the week.

No, they can't ! But we can always try hoping they will evolve into learning them.

This same thing happened to my 3 year old cats. If you let her out right away she will actually try to find her old home. For the first couple days keep her inside to get used to her house. Then let her outside with you so you can make sure she dose not run off. Stay with her for the next couple days or as long as you feel you should. Also,I agree with JudyKayTee about making sure she has a colar on with your phone number and address. I don't agree about them living shorter though. If they are outside that means they are getting rays from the sun which is good for living things. Also they get exercise running around and playing outside. Not letting a cat outside is like not letting kids outside, it's unhealthy. They are both living things. I hope I helped! Good luck! Also keep us updated!

Smileyface, you're arguing against your own experience. Your cat was outside and was bitten by a fox. You say "everything is all right" but I see no indication that the cat had its rabies shots, was examined by a Vet, that you took any precautions in the event it is injured (and you SAW the bite marks on your cat!) or that the fox was rabid. https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cats/cat-got-bitten-fox-753774.html

I think what you have posted is terribly naïve - not letting cats outdoors is like not lietting children outdoors? I realize you're 11 but still - your cat was bitten/attacked/something else and you still allow this animal you love outside?

My dogs are outside - and fenced. That's what responsible pet owners do. If you cannot confine it, keep it indoors.

In the meantime, have you even checked the symptoms of rabies?

My cat was taken to the vet and is fine! No rabies or anything. I live right in front of the woods. This person dose not. I didn't tell everybody that he's all right because I'm sorry I have to update the world on my cat. He is fine OK. This is not about my cat it's about Hers. My cats used to live in an area like this person and we never had any trouble. JudyKayTee

My cat was taken to the vet and is fine! No rabies or anything.
No quarantine? How on earth did the vet decide there is no rabies?

Dogs are different then cats. Cats can easily get over a fence. We are very careful now because we live in front of woods. We take them in early and watch them. This person does not live in front if woods! My cats used to not either. We used to live in the same kind if area as this person. And our cats need had any trouble.

Yes they have him quarantined.

Maybe it's time to make your cats indoor cats and save them from predators that live in your woods.

WG, Tick and I all asked questions from our personal knowledge. How does your Vet know all is well? You dance around the question but don't answer it. Keep in mind I work in animal rescue.

You are so busy talking you aren't able to listen - your cat was attacked by a fox and you still defend your position that cats should somehow run free.

You're moving. Will you be on the edge of woods there? Or will they be inside?

I'd like more info on the fox attack and how the Vet knows everything is okay.

EDIT: I just noticed the answer has changed to include quarantine, unlike yesterday when it must not have been necessary because it wasn't mentioned. So this cat, perhaps rabid, perhaps not, is still roaming the neighborhood and exposed to Smiley's other cats and the other way around.

Time to close - OP responded in a very positive way to some negative words and then Smiley reopened the took over the thread. Off topic, conversation, nothing being added. Highjacked in fact.

WG, Tick and I all asked questions from our personal knowledge. How does your Vet know all is well? You dance around the question but don't answer it. Keep in mind I work in animal rescue.

You are so busy talking you aren't able to listen - your cat was attacked by a fox and you still defend your position that cats should somehow run free.

You're moving. Will you be on the edge of woods there? Or will they be inside?

I'd like more info on the fox attack and how the Vet knows everything is okay.

EDIT: I just noticed the answer has changed to include quarantine, unlike yesterday when it must not have been necessary because it wasn't mentioned. So this cat, perhaps rabid, perhaps not, is still roaming the neighborhood and exposed to Smiley's other cats and the other way around.

Time to close - OP responded in a very positive way to some negative words and then Smiley reopened the took over the thread. Off topic, conversation, nothing being added. Highjacked in fact.

Lets forget about this. I'm 11. I know. You do what you want OK. I was trying to help from my experience from when I lived in a place like this. And this is embarrassing but to be honest there are 2 reasons is didn't tell everybody my cat got querentined. 1-I didn't know I had to tell the whole world what they did to my cat. I just said he was all right so people would stop giving me advice I don't need anymore 2-I didn't know people cared about knowing what the vet did. I don't know how to spell querentined too... any way since I'm 11 nobody wants my help so whatever, I'm just going to help kids my age from now on.