Keep your cats indoors

If you think your feline friend is the cat’s meow, you’re not alone.

Cats are America’s most popular pet––but they’re also the most likely to die prematurely from disease, poisons, attacks by other animals, abuse by humans or speeding vehicles.

According to The Humane Society of the Unites States (HSUS), one reason for this unfortunate distinction is that many cat owners don’t realize the dangers their pets face when outside the home.

To help protect all nine of your cat’s lives, the HSUS is launching a Safe Cats campaign. The initiative is designed to keep cats safe and living longer by teaching people how to keep their cats happily indoors. HSUS offers these tips:

Provide a screened porch or other safe way for your cat to experience the outdoors. Consider building or purchasing a "cat fence" or similar enclosure.

Consider buying a harness and training your cat to walk on a leash.

Install a perch near a sunny window. Padded perches can be purchased at many pet supply stores or through catalog retailers. Another option is an enclosure that sits in a window frame.

Play with your cat every day. Try different types of toys that recreate "fishing," "chasing," and "flying" prey. And leave "toys" such as paper bags and cardboard boxes out when you’re not home.

Remember, even indoor cats should be outfitted with a collar and visible identification. Also, it’s a good idea to consider having your cat microchipped.

If you do lose your cat, contact your local animal shelter immediately to file a report. Shelter workers can give you tips on getting your pet back home safely.

For more information visit www.hsus.org.

This story was provided by the North American Precis Syndicate.