[JackieandCharlie]

We closed on our home last Friday, and will be moving up from Miami, FL before the end of February with our old tom cat, Tommy.

Tommy is currently an "indoor/outdoor" cat and is "fixed". We know he is going to have to be indoors exclusively for a while so he can get acclimated to the new environment, but we never saw cats outdoors during our visits to TV. We were wondering if people let their cats outside unsupervised.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by JackieandCharlie

We closed on our home last Friday, and will be moving up from Miami, FL before the end of February with our old tom cat, Tommy.

Tommy is currently an "indoor/outdoor" cat and is "fixed". We know he is going to have to be indoors exclusively for a while so he can get acclimated to the new environment, but we never saw cats outdoors during our visits to TV. We were wondering if people let their cats outside unsupervised.

It isn't allowed. And it is dangerous with all of the critters overhead and prowling about.

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

It isn't allowed. And it is dangerous with all of the critters overhead and prowling about.

Hawks, eagles and gators have to eat too!

[JackieandCharlie]

really? he can't go out at all?

[Mr Hanky]

My kitty will be enjoying the enclosed lanai:-)

[JackieandCharlie]

What??

[JackieandCharlie]

so sad...poor tom will have to adjust his lifestyle

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I've seen cats roaming around only at night and I assumed that they were feral cats. The Villages is a dangerous environment for cats. As has been mentioned hawks and eagles circle all the time. If they go near the water, they are in danger of being eaten by a gator and I have seen a few fox around my neighborhood.
Keep your cat indoors if you want to keep your cat.

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by JackieandCharlie

so sad...poor tom will have to adjust his lifestyle

He CAN go outside, as long as you have him on a leash. You can walk him anywhere, and there are even cat/dog strollers if you prefer that method -- But ALL pets in The Villages are required to be leashed when outside your home.

Our Tommy Boy & Baby Monroe were always indoor/outdoor cats, but they adjusted well to being indoor/lanai cats. They can't catch the birds, but the birds can't catch them, either.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by JackieandCharlie

really? he can't go out at all?

Really, Tommy can't go out at all, unless it is on a leash. People don't want your cat on their property, trust me on that one!

Cats and dogs must stay on your property and be under your control. There are coyotes, gators and other predators just waiting for Tommy to wander off your property.

There many feral cats living in parking lots and on golf courses. It is very sad. Almost daily, a lost cat is advertised on the local radio station.

[aussiemom]

Originally Posted by JackieandCharlie

We closed on our home last Friday, and will be moving up from Miami, FL before the end of February with our old tom cat, Tommy.

Tommy is currently an "indoor/outdoor" cat and is "fixed". We know he is going to have to be indoors exclusively for a while so he can get acclimated to the new environment, but we never saw cats outdoors during our visits to TV. We were wondering if people let their cats outside unsupervised.

Leash laws apply to cats as well as dogs, not just in TV but in most places throughout the country. And even if leash laws weren't there for cats, his safety alone should make you want to keep him indoors or on a leash. Also, probably most of us don't appreciate a loose cat prowling their property and we really don't care for their little piles and urine smell they leave behind. Plus it causes havoc when a cat is on a dog owners property.....causing many dogs to go nuts and start barking (even if they aren't barkers). Then the neighbors complain about the barking dog next door. Now the neighbors don't speak and all because of someone's loose cat who keeps hanging around. Why not invest in a screened in area extended out from your house and let him roam inside and out, but with safety from predators.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by JackieandCharlie

We closed on our home last Friday, and will be moving up from Miami, FL before the end of February with our old tom cat, Tommy.

Tommy is currently an "indoor/outdoor" cat and is "fixed". We know he is going to have to be indoors exclusively for a while so he can get acclimated to the new environment, but we never saw cats outdoors during our visits to TV. We were wondering if people let their cats outside unsupervised.

Many years ago we had an indoor/outdoor cat, and halfway throught it's life we had a Raccoon rabies scare in our neighborhood. From that point forward we have never allowed any of our cats loose outside again. When we stopped her going out she adapted and she stopped asking to go out within a week or sooner. So I believe your Tommy will also adapt quickly, especially coming into a new environment. He'll be too busy exploring and sniffing all the new nooks and cranies of his new home, at least when not napping.

It is also a well know fact that cats have a longer life as an indoor cat. The indoor cat's average life expectancy is more that twice the years of an outdoor cat. Here is an interesting read on outdoors vs. indoors:

Indoor vs Outdoor Cats | General Cat Articles

[JackieandCharlie]

Thanks for your encouraging experience with your cats. I am sure it will all work out. He is an old cat...he'll adjust, I guess. I bought him a leash with a harness but he HATED it (humiliated him I think). A stroller is a fun idea. I wonder if he would go for it???

Originally Posted by uujudy

He CAN go outside, as long as you have him on a leash. You can walk him anywhere, and there are even cat/dog strollers if you prefer that method -- But ALL pets in The Villages are required to be leashed when outside your home.

Our Tommy Boy & Baby Monroe were always indoor/outdoor cats, but they adjusted well to being indoor/lanai cats. They can't catch the birds, but the birds can't catch them, either.

[shalomuall]

we have a group of coyotes roaming in Fernandina after dark and they approached some of the neighbors while they walked their big dogs. Better safe than sorry.

[Joaniesmom]

Don't know what type of home you purchased. We own a CYV and. with all the walls/fences surrounding our property, we leave our cat out sometimes but only when we are there to supervise. The other posters really aren't kidding when they mention hawks, eagles, etc. They are everywhere. Cats have a way of getting themselves in trouble when allowed outside alone and unsupervised.