Soldato
- Joined
- 8 Mar 2007
- Posts
- 10,938
I don't think 25% is anywhere near the reality. How is this data even collected, for starters. Most people who lose a cat aren't going to report it. Most bury them then go straight out and get another. And another.
And they say we're the cruel ones. I know people who have had an endless succession of outdoor cats near main roads, who keep being "sad" that their cat has been killed, before getting another.
Yet that doesn't seem to incur any disapproval at all among "let them live free" advocates.
Without wanting to tempt fate, I've owned or lived with 7 cats over the last 25 years and despite all being "outdoor cats" none have been run over or attacked by kids. A couple went missing for a few days between them but all except one of the 7 cats died naturally of an age related illness late in life.
The one that didn't was caught in a reclining chair in the front room (he climbed inside the chair and my mother who was using the chair went to get up and we heard a high pitched yelp) and then died a few days later.
Of course this is just my experience and anecdotal of course, but from my point of view the biggest dangers are in the home.