[The Great Fumar]

OK , LETS GET SERIOUS ABOUT THIS,,,PLEASE DON'T LITTLE KITTIES OUT AT NIGHT , ITS NOT SAFE FOR THEM ,,,ITS A JUNGLE OUT THERE AND BESIDES, WE HAVE TO MANY CHINESE RESTAURANTS AROUND HERE...

I couldn't help myself .....fumar....

[golf2140]

Originally Posted by The Great Fumar

OK , LETS GET SERIOUS ABOUT THIS,,,PLEASE DON'T LITTLE KITTIES OUT AT NIGHT , ITS NOT SAFE FOR THEM ,,,ITS A JUNGLE OUT THERE AND BESIDES, WE HAVE TO MANY CHINESE RESTAURANTS AROUND HERE...

I couldn't help myself .....fumar....

New Mexican Restaurant opening in Colony Plaza !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Great Fumar]

correction ,,,,,,make that a hot kitty..........

reba reba fumar

[swrinfla]

Careful, everyone! Seems The Great One is loose!

Besides hawks, there are a number of eagles. A kitty would make a nice snack.

Both cats I've had here seem to spend nearly all day and probably all night on the lanai. My New Cat wants awfully to get at the anoles, and whatever other critter she might see, but, so far hasn't hurt herself or the screens!

Indoor cats only, please!

SWR

[su2009]

I walk my cats outside in our own yard. It was a lot of work to train them. I did it starting with the head cat - the older, braver one: stand and hold him for three minutes on the back patio slab, then walk back into the lanai. Repeat several times a day for several days while the other cat watches from inside the sliding doors. Prevent struggling by holding a front leg firmly out and away from the cat (you must be reasonably strong and his claws must be clipped). Tell him: "stay with me!" repeatedly and praise him. Then the other cat: stand and hold on the patio slab, back into the lanai.

Move up through stages, one cat at a time while the other watches: cat sitting on patio slab next to you sitting on the slab, with your hand holding him down, then cat walking slowly in garden next to lanai with you walking next to him, then cat on side of house. If the the cat runs, yell "No! Stay with me, [his name]!" Talk to him sternly if he moves away from you, praise him if he walks slowly with you next to him. Cats like big flower beds, dislike being exposed, so keep a big flower bed in the front and back or side and wear old shoes to walk around with the cats in it. (Bark it instead of using rock, as cats will not walk on rock. Keep your plants tall and fluffy so cats can stay mostly hidden (abelia and lorapetalum are good choices), no spikey roses or spikey holly or juniper bushes.) Eventually you will be able to walk each cat around the house. Then you take them out together in stages - back flowerbed for five minutes, etc. Constantly tell them "Stay with me!" and praise them when they do. Always keep the lanai door propped open while they are out so they can rush inside if they become frightened, rather than running away from you.

If you see a dog anywhere in the vicinity, yell "Oh no! Dogs!" Scoop a cat up, point to the dog and run inside, acting panicked. The other cat will follow. Once inside, act frightened and run into the bedroom with the cats. Tell them you are glad you all are safe and you are proud of them for not getting caught by a dog. Eventually, you can yell "Oh no! Dogs!" and the cats will rush back into the lanai whenever there is, for example, a large truck barelling down the street, or a neighbor stopping by -- anything that might otherwise cause a cat to bolt. When they hear "Oh no! Dogs!" they will run back inside.

When you are out with the cats, always act wary. Make it clear that it is very dangerous outside and you are watching out for them. Caution them constantly. Eventually, they will not go outside without you, even if the door is open for furniture delivery, or to bring in groceries, or whatever.

Never take a cat out when it is getting dark because you just can't monitor them closely enough. If you take them out and they both stay beside you, stay out for longer and then praise them lavishly when you come back in.

Then, be prepared for your cats to meow from morning until dark, for the rest of your life, in the hopes they will persuade you to take them out not just twice a day, but 1,000 times a day. They will be relentless. You will need nerves of steel. You will wonder why you ever started this foolish cat-walking project instead of taking the advice of all the nice people who told you the cats would eventually be happy on the lanai.

[duffysmom]

Su I'm so impressed with your devotion to your cats. I'm not that disciplined but kudos to you. My biggest fear is that my dog will bolt if not on his leash so I have total control over him at all times. One day he slipped out of his harness and ran across a busy road when he saw another dog. Just missed being hit by a car and a cart. I still get chills thinking about it. My neighbor walks her cats with a leash and sits in the garden and lets them roam. Another devoted pet lover.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by su2009

I walk my cats outside in our own yard. It was a lot of work to train them. I did it starting with the head cat - the older, braver one: stand and hold him for three minutes on the back patio slab, then walk back into the lanai. Repeat several times a day for several days while the other cat watches from inside the sliding doors. Prevent struggling by holding a front leg firmly out and away from the cat (you must be reasonably strong and his claws must be clipped). Tell him: "stay with me!" repeatedly and praise him. Then the other cat: stand and hold on the patio slab, back into the lanai.

Move up through stages, one cat at a time while the other watches: cat sitting on patio slab next to you sitting on the slab, with your hand holding him down, then cat walking slowly in garden next to lanai with you walking next to him, then cat on side of house. If the the cat runs, yell "No! Stay with me, [his name]!" Talk to him sternly if he moves away from you, praise him if he walks slowly with you next to him. Cats like big flower beds, dislike being exposed, so keep a big flower bed in the front and back or side and wear old shoes to walk around with the cats in it. (Bark it instead of using rock, as cats will not walk on rock. Keep your plants tall and fluffy so cats can stay mostly hidden (abelia and lorapetalum are good choices), no spikey roses or spikey holly or juniper bushes.) Eventually you will be able to walk each cat around the house. Then you take them out together in stages - back flowerbed for five minutes, etc. Constantly tell them "Stay with me!" and praise them when they do. Always keep the lanai door propped open while they are out so they can rush inside if they become frightened, rather than running away from you.

If you see a dog anywhere in the vicinity, yell "Oh no! Dogs!" Scoop a cat up, point to the dog and run inside, acting panicked. The other cat will follow. Once inside, act frightened and run into the bedroom with the cats. Tell them you are glad you all are safe and you are proud of them for not getting caught by a dog. Eventually, you can yell "Oh no! Dogs!" and the cats will rush back into the lanai whenever there is, for example, a large truck barelling down the street, or a neighbor stopping by -- anything that might otherwise cause a cat to bolt. When they hear "Oh no! Dogs!" they will run back inside.

When you are out with the cats, always act wary. Make it clear that it is very dangerous outside and you are watching out for them. Caution them constantly. Eventually, they will not go outside without you, even if the door is open for furniture delivery, or to bring in groceries, or whatever.

Never take a cat out when it is getting dark because you just can't monitor them closely enough. If you take them out and they both stay beside you, stay out for longer and then praise them lavishly when you come back in.

Then, be prepared for your cats to meow from morning until dark, for the rest of your life, in the hopes they will persuade you to take them out not just twice a day, but 1,000 times a day. They will be relentless. You will need nerves of steel. You will wonder why you ever started this foolish cat-walking project instead of taking the advice of all the nice people who told you the cats would eventually be happy on the lanai.

Wow! A genuine cat whisperer. I'm impressed.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by downeaster

There are a lot of feral cats around. They are not inclined to be pleasant around domestic cats.

BTW, I believe the leash laws refer to pets off one's property. However, I wouldn't let a cat of mine out even in my own back yard.

Add hawks to the list of predators looking for an easy meal.

Another vote for keeping cats inside. I would never let my cat outside (except in the birdcage which she really enjoys).

There are hawks, gators, many (sadly) feral cats, and lots of wildlife. Please keep your furry animals safe.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

Su I'm so impressed with your devotion to your cats. I'm not that disciplined but kudos to you. My biggest fear is that my dog will bolt if not on his leash so I have total control over him at all times. One day he slipped out of his harness and ran across a busy road when he saw another dog. Just missed being hit by a car and a cart. I still get chills thinking about it. My neighbor walks her cats with a leash and sits in the garden and lets them roam. Another devoted pet lover.

That happened to one of my friends in The Villages a few years ago. He thought his little Pom was trained not to leave the yard. He was in the garage with the dog & the neighbor across the street came home & the dog ran across to see him & got hit. Sadly he didn't make it.

[flhogi]

I would suggest that all go to Thier counties web site on lease laws. As long as they are under your direct supervision they do donot have to be on a lease. At least thats what Lake county and sumter county law says.

Okay I read the deed they must be on a lease at all times

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by flhogi;***326

I would suggest that all go to Thier counties web site on lease laws. As long as they are under your direct supervision they do donot have to be on a lease. At least thats what Lake county and sumter county law says

That may be true, but what of the rules of TV?

[laryb]

In the 8 months we've lived here, the only time something has gotten into the trash, it was a cat. I'm not certain, but I believe it is from a home that borders the neighborhood that is not in TV. I have a cat, a Maine Coon, and under no circumstances would I let it out on it's own. To many critters around here that would harm it, and I could never forgive myself.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by laryb;***347

In the 8 months we've lived here, the only time something has gotten into the trash, it was a cat. I'm not certain, but I believe it is from a home that borders the neighborhood that is not in TV. I have a cat, a Maine Coon, and under no circumstances would I let it out on it's own. To many critters around here that would harm it, and I could never forgive myself.

There are alot of ferral cats in the Villages. We see them all the time. Poor babies.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

Is there really a lease law for cats? In all three counties? I don't have any pets, but I was just wondering. I saw Sumter County has lease laws for dogs, but didn't see cats listed.

O.K. BK you are so perfectly articulate that I can't let this pass.

We leased our cats for 20 years. It ain't cheap either.

I love you BK!

Oh man. I bet that is the first typo you have made in 40 years and I caught it.

You know how I look up to your wonderful expertise with the pen and the key pad.

[getdul981]

Originally Posted by graciegirl;***362

O.K. BK you are so perfectly articulate that I can't let this pass.

We leased our cats for 20 years. It ain't cheap either.

I love you BK!

Oh man. I bet that is the first typo you have made in 40 years and I caught it.

You know how I look up to your wonderful expertise with the pen and the key pad.

I noticed it too Gracie, but figured I've made a few typos myself and didn't want to ruffle any feathers. Our dogs have never been leased, but are always leashed when outside unless they are in their crate and riding on the back of the golf cart.