Stop putting your cat in danger by enabling free roaming

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Although I have been a lifelong cat lover, they are rarely the focus of my writing.

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Issues like poverty alleviation, healthcare and affordability took precedence, with my love of cats – in particular Barney, Pumpkin, Jake, Moka, Marky and Maverick – seeming insignificant in comparison.

But the unnecessary loss of a friend’s beloved cat, as well as the endless stream of missing cat posters throughout my neighborhood, made me reflect on their role in our lives and community.

Here is some basic information.

There are approximately 8.5 million pet cats in Canada, millions of which live in the wild.

On average, those who live outdoors only live two to five years – just a quarter as long as their counterparts who live indoors.

Outdoor cats are also much more susceptible to injuries, parasites, and infections, and outdoor cats also have higher rates of feline leukemia.

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Free movement is not just harmful to cats, the impacts are felt on a much wider scale.

Cats are the leading cause of bird deaths, with between 100 million and 350 million deaths per year in Canada, and billions worldwide.

They are responsible for the death of millions of small mammals, attack beneficial insects such as butterflies, and increase the spread of diseases to wild animals, disrupting biodiversity and ecological processes.

Their presence on the streets, sneaking in and out without understanding the risks they run, also causes accidents, damage and automotive expenses, as well as mental trauma for the unfortunate people who never saw them coming.

It’s for reasons like these that the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association requires owners of foster cats to sign a contract to keep their cats indoors, while the BC SPCA strongly encourages the practice.

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However, many cat owners are unwilling to honor this commitment, and despite the cost to themselves and the environment, laws requiring cats to be kept indoors or on a leash are virtually non-existent.

Victoria is the exception in British Columbia, with owners facing fines if their cats are loose on the street, but in most areas — and unlike dogs — cats are free to roam, destroy and put themselves at risk.

Some cat owners may say there are benefits to letting their pets roam outdoors.

After all, roaming freely keeps them busy and away from their owners, and there’s even evidence that it reduces the likelihood of weight problems.

But this life is also “nasty, brutal and short” and not worth the costs.

It is up to municipalities and cat lovers to take the issue more seriously, both for the well-being of the animals they love and the community at large.

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What can you do if you have a cat?

It’s best to keep them indoors, where they will be safe and much more likely to live a long, healthy life.

Individual spaces, hiding places and elevated vantage points from which they can see their surroundings help keep cats entertained.

You also don’t need to buy any high-tech cat technology. As many cat lovers know, items like cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls, and anything you can hang or sprinkle with catnip work wonders.

If you still think they should go outside, set up a cat-friendly enclosure if space allows, or walk them on a leash in an area with limited traffic and commotion—if you have a dog, turn it into a playdate.

And be patient. It may take some time to get a cat fully indoors or to get used to a harness, but they will eventually settle in – and it’s worth the effort.

What you shouldn’t do is cut corners and expose your cat and the community to the risks of free movement – they deserve better.

Spencer van Vloten is a nationally published writer and community advocate. He has received the BC Medal for Good Citizenship, the Vancouver Excellence Award and was the Rick Hansen Foundation Difference Maker of the Year. You can find more of his work at SpencerV.ca or follow him on X at @SpencerVanCity

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