How about something like this I'm sorry don't know what I'm doing with link's. Lol. These look sturdy and if shade is needed just cover part with a bit of tarp.
Catios rely aren't expensive. Nice ones under $600 on Amazonthanks, talien and tik. i guess i keep coming back to word "preventable." The cat was gorgeous as well. It just makes me ill. Accidents can happen, though I think they routinely let the cat out t though they're probably not going to admit it. What did they think was going to happen? No excuse for a cat being in the street who is owned by an extremely financially secure, intelligent family.
The more I think about it I'm actually getting even angrier, as I know how careful we are w/ours. And to just assume the cat is going to stay in the yard is the height of idiocy.
I do know that the cat had a great life. I just don't believe in the philosophy of life, "Oh well, it'll work out; despite all my knowledge to the contrary I'm trusting in the sky and the moon to protect our kitty."
I'm trying to think of ways to channel the feelings into something that will help other cats/owners - perhaps buying catios for low-income people? Anyone like this idea? Anyone know of a nonprofit that could help take this on? I believe that cats should experience the outdoors - but safely. Catios seem to be on the expensive side.
They really shouldn't have gotten cats if they had no plans to keep them in the house 24/7Thanks, Fiona's mom. your reply hadn't loaded until now. They are sad about the cat. They love both cats. they got the "pick of the litter" - the 2 showiest, biggest, prettiest cats that everyone wanted. (although the others are just as purrfect). The point is, I don't think they've learned the lesson, as in her email she was talking about now (a little late) getting this wireless thing for the remaining cat. I am too mad to talk to her on phone. In email I said that given the dead cat, I woudl not trust wireless technology bc a coyote/dog coudl still get to cat. I said that leashes/catios were an option but that they should be out there when cat in catio. I really don't know whether i can go back to same church w/them. I think you're right in that even though we really don't have room for another cat I could offer to adopt back if they insist on jeapardizing it.
There's a difference between a tragic accident if an animal escapes or is accidentally let outside by someone unfamiliar with them and someone openly lying about keeping their new Cat(s) indoors.This is really no different than someone lying to a shelter about how their newly adopted animal will be treated, and lying to someone you know personally about how you will be taking care of an animal you got from them. At least the shelter has recourse for repossessing other animals that came from them because there's a contract involved.Until it happens to you, it is easy to judge people. Yes, there was no excuse for letting the cats out, and it does need to be said to keep the remaining cat in, but as someone who had several cats that would NOT stay in the house no matter what we did, even after being inside for a year, I understand what they may have gone through. I would state that the ONLY way to keep a cat safe is to keep them inside, and that tragedy DOES strike more than once, but as for making yourself angry and making their lives miserable, that is not the way to go. Anger is good, it lets out emotions, but to be angry with people who thought they were doing what was making their cat happy is misguided because the only cats that you have control over are the cats in your household. I have adopted cats out that came to a tragic end too, I know the frustration and anger and incredible sadness this invokes. But I have also had cats die under my care and know the incredible sorrow this brings and the huge hole it leaves in your life. Now is the time to make sure the remaining cat does not meet the same fate. I hope the tragedy changes their mind on keeping this sweet one safe indoors.
Thanks, Di&bob. the only problem is that in my "trying to make sure the remaining cat does not meet the same fate" by suggesting catios, leashes, and by researching electronic control devices and finding that they are not really that great (meaning the cat is going to get out) I have now been accused of not being appropriate bc of not giving them time to grieve. Well, unfortunately, there's no moratorium on cars driving on streets while they grieve, which means if the 2nd cat is either allowed out or they use untested electronic device, the 2nd cat (1-yr old very inquisitive exploratory male) could get hit as well. I give up. I still don't know the circumstances of the cat getting out. I know the cats were let out once before. I also know cat who died had a "favorite tree." do inside cats have favorite trees? So, I'm sorry they don't like suggestions about ways to keep remaining cat safe during their period of grieving, but if that's what it takes to nudge them in the direction of safety, I'm going to do it.Until it happens to you, it is easy to judge people. . . Now is the time to make sure the remaining cat does not meet the same fate. I hope the tragedy changes their mind on keeping this sweet one safe indoors.