ok to let cats outside?
 

Moving down in Sept, have (2) 13 yr old cats. Here in N.Va. I let them out from time to time, they never go far, most of the time they stay on the deck.
What are the regs. on letting a cat out from time to time?

Don't know what kind of home you've purchased here, but my cats are satisfied, it seems, to lounge on the big lanai in back. I wouldn't let them out in a new neighborhood.

Technically, you are not supposed to let any animal outside unless it's on a leash. That includes cats of course. Anyway, I wouldn't feel safe letting a cat outside. There are coyotes here and who knows what else?

If you let them out, they have to be licensed and leashed. Technically, Sumter County requires all cats to be licensed but I've only heard of it being enforced if the cat is allowed outdoors. As was said, most cats are very happy to just be on the lanai. They all seem to really love it there.

Bob,
:welcome:
That's exciting that you are moving to TV. Welcome to Lower Paradise.

It is against the rules to let your pets out off leash and honestly, I think it's not a good idea in TV.

Your cats will have an adjustment to make with the move. Quite a few new TVers have posted about losing their cats when they get here. The cats get scared and hide, sometimes found days later hiding in the garage, occasionally not found.

I know you want to make the adjustment easier for your cats. In all probability your cat will adjust better to TV and feal more secure if you don't let them outdoors on their own.

Congratulations on your new home. All best wishes!

PTurner

:welcome:I'm so happy that you asked about leaving pets outside alone. Florida is a dangerous place for cats who wander off. My 3.5 maltese was outside with me when I saw a huge (estimate he was over 1.5 feet tall) hawk swoop down in the next yard. I believe he saw the one and only rabbit ever seen in these parts. I didn't wait to see if he was successful. We also have huge owls who hunt at night. Since your cats are fairly old I wouldn't chance the fact that they could find their way home. A friend recently told me that she saw a coyote in her older and densely populated neighborhood and I know that they are frequently seen in the newer areas being built. I haven't mentioned the gators that are all over the place should you live near water. It can be a hostile environment for domestic animals so keep them close. And then there's Fumar......

We also have gators that wander around going to the different ponds, alot of snakes & alot of traffic. Please, please don't let little the little kitties out.
Congrats on moving to the Villages. It's a great place.

ok to let cats outside?
 

Our cat got out by accident and he was gone for 6 nights, 7 days. I guess he was so scared since he didn't know the area, that he probably hid in a bush or a garage and was afraid to come out. He lost 4 lbs in that short a period of time, which is a lot for a cat.

In addition to the other creatures that have been mentioned, there are also a lot of Fox. By the way, I hope your cat has a collar with your new ID on it, in addition to a chip in case he gets lost.

Congratulations on your move. I thought Fumar only dislikes dogs, or is it any pet with fur?

Think its anything that might poop on his lawn.
 

Does a bear poop in the woods? Maybe, a Teddy Bear would be OK with Fumar, but if it can poop on your lawn....

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.

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.

Pet rules...
 

VCDD Our Place Archives
Pets must be controlled by a leash when not in the confines of the home. As a courtesy, owners should pick up after their pets and respect neighboring property owners.
www.districtgov.org/cic-questions.aspx


VCDD Deed Compliance - Lake County
Pets must be controlled by a leash when not in the confines of the home. As a courtesy, owners should pick up after their pets. All city and county pet ordinances should be adhered ...
www.districtgov.org/departments/community-standards/deedrestrict.aspx

Thanks P. We drove all day to get to West by God Virginia for a wedding this weekend. I'm sitting on the bed in the hotel and was too lazy to look. I've had cats in the past that were never allowed outside. They didn't desire to go out and didn't have any curiousity except from the window.

Well , have I mentioned this girl in Kansas City , She worked for the Circus and she ......

Oh never mind , you wouldn't understand..........:jester:

she had a chair and a whip !!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....:icon_hungry::beer3:

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

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

reba reba fumar

Careful, everyone! Seems The Great One is loose! :MOJE_whot:

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
:beer3:

Managing cats outside
 

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.

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.:BigApplause:

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

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.

Sumter County
 

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

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

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.

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.

In my declaration of restrictions, under definition 2.23, it states that it's our responsibility to keep our pets on a leash. I think that pet birds are exempt even though they are included by the wording! But goldfish? Well no leashes are needed there thank goodness! :)

:1rotfl: Love your sense of humor! You sure we're not related? http://www.realflowforum.com/img/smilies/smiley-huh.png

I get lashed by Sandy on occasion............ :shocked:

:pepper2:

Bill :wave:

Smart woman that Sandy is! http://www.the370z.com/images/smilies/xmastup.gif :evil6:

http://www.symbian-freak.com/forum/i...ies/hahaha.gif BTW, did you mean leashed or are you two into S&M?

This thread has given me a new leash on life.

You are right I found it in the deed they must be on a lease

the deed says must be on a lease at all times.

????Sky, Pturner and Bill???

Gracie, flhogi is new and we should give him/her a break... before we lower the boom! :evil6:

After 39 posts, the opinions on letting a cat out seem to be unanimous. You must lease your cat or keep it indoors. There are lots of cats already in TV, so cats are hard to lease out. Therefore, the bottom line is ....... Please keep your cats inside!