Mali gets to go outside!

Mali has been attempting to exit my house into the backyard.

A long time ago, I wanted to harness train Mali and Kayne, to give them a safe way to adventure outdoors. I gave up on this after multiple attempts at wearing a harness results in “no leg syndrome”. Funny, but stressful for the cat.

But with Mali’s recent attempts to leave, I’ve decided to give her an outlet to go outside and to pick up her harness training. She’s not vaccinated and can’t be due to illness - so NO adventures with other cats! Her outside access will be on a harness and/or in an enclosure.

First I have to pick up a topical anti-flea treatment so we don’t bring fleas inside. But then we’ll start to adventure outside, and she’ll get to explore grass and flowers, in the safety and control of a harness.

Now, I do not believe in outdoor cats: there are coyotes, cars, people; and cats are a danger to local wildlife. Cats are, after all, superb hunters.

However, cats that are outdoors in a controlled environment do not have access to cars, can be protected from other cats, and can be stopped from harming local wildlife. Moreover, Mali will be catchable to come in for meds since she’ll be on a harness and already caught. She’s too sick to go missing for days and not receive her meds.

I’m really looking forward to giving Mali this added quality of life. I know that once we can get past the “no leg syndrome” she’ll love to explore, especially in the sunny summer that we’re experiencing now.

-Lisa, on June 24, 2010 at 11:09 am .::. Comment (4)

We let Cleo outside in our backyard when we’re out there to supervise her. This is the way its been for 10 years. She’s allowed “outside” when we’re outside, but otherwise she’s an indoor cat.

We ask the vet to treat her like an outdoor cat for purposes of flea/vaccines, in the very unlikely, but still possible chance encounter with other wildlife. Apparently fleas and many feline afflictions can survive for hours on the ground, long after another cat has vacated our garden.

At first, we used the “carry her around” technique, where we outlined her boundaries (the fence basically, and the sides of the house were off limits even though the fence extends there). Then we carried her to the back fence and let her walk around, correcting her if she tried to walk down the sides of the house.

At this point, its total freedom. I hardly even watch her anymore when she’s out there, but same rules apply, she only goes out when we’re out with her. I’ve been known to code for hours in my backyard with that silly cat sleeping under some bushes. :)

By Derek Allard on June 24, 2010 at 1:22 pm .::.

I can’t do that because of the dogs. I’m 99% sure that Elka will kill Mali if she caught her outside.

There are also parts in the fence Mali (at 8.2lbs) could fit under easily while the dogs can’t; as well as multiple trees that would let her go OVER the fence-line. I’ve been considering using some special cat-fencing they sell; but for now, she’ll have to deal with a harness. =)

By Lisa on June 24, 2010 at 1:39 pm .::.

The verdict? After a few minutes of hesitation, Mali loved it. Videos later. ;)

By Lisa on June 25, 2010 at 1:00 pm .::.