No Outdoor Cats HOA Rule Still? and Warning...

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THe HOA does not have a specific rule in the bylaws that prohibits outdoor cats. Loudoun County does require pets to be under their owners control at all times when they are off the owners property. The Broadlands bylaws also require that pets not become a nuisance. One could argue that roaming cats could become a nuisance to neighboring properties. More importantly, there are many dangers to the cats themselves. It is far more humane to spay or neuter your pet and keep them inside.

 

Actually the Loudoun leash laws DO NOT apply to Cats. I've spoken to the County about this the last time this foolishness came up. Loudoun is a farm county [at least int he eyes of the POTB]. Farm cats are not restricted.

I agree with spaying/neut but Cats did not evolve in a house. You ever wonder why some cats get nutty, maybe its b/c they are stir crazy.

 

Dogs did not "evolve" as house pets either...as the owner of three indoor cats - 2 which were feral - I agree that sometimes they act a bit nutty but at least I know they have not been killed by a car or maimed by a wild animal...they are quite content to curl up in bed at night and I am happy to have them there...

 

I'm sorry; didn't mean to reopen a can of worms. I'm having a little crisis here!

I want to catch my indoor cat, but I have a feeling I'm going to catch every roaming kitty first!

There are pluses and minuses to both sides, but I could swear we were handed a paper about cats when we moved in, although it's going on 9 years ago now.

I will hunt for the current bylaws listed. Do they post changes to bylaws too?

Thanks for all the help. Broadlands neighbors are the best!

 

Agreed - granted I miss the days growing up when you could let your animals go outside and not worry about them getting hit by a car (grew up in the mtns of va)...but I much rather have my cats get a little crazy than worry about them not coming home.

 

Not sure what's meant by nutty. They get bursts of energy and run around and play. Cat's will not miss what they don't know. If they were previously outdoor cats, they'll eventually get used to the indoors if kept indoors.

 

Is it just me, or doesn't anyone else find this a bit odd? I mean, ok, trying to find your cat is understandable. But setting out a trap and notifying folks that if you trap any cats you'll bring them to the animal shelter is a bit harsh, don't you think? What is this, vigilante animal control? I don't own a cat now, but lots of people have "outdoor" cats. And lots of those folks probably don't read this board. You may end up dooming someone's poor cat to, at best, life in a shelter; at worst, euthanasia - all hinging on whether they read your post here? I would consider letting any of the trapped cats loose, unless you are sure they are feral or stray- they'll find their way back home.

 

No cats are going to the shelter at this time. The warning is to keep your cats indoors if you live nearby or at least put a collar with ID on them (something that everyone should do). Stream Valley vet sells a safe kind that don't come off easily.

Cheers o/

 

NOTE to clarify: Any found cats by me will be posted on tabbytracker.com, here, and a "found" report will be given to the Animal Shelter on *paper* record and also a picture notice given to Stream Valley Vet.

 

I have had cats since, well, I can't remember... the vast majority of which have been indoor only. I've occasionally had them get out, and they ALWAYS --even the first time they got out -- have found their way home. I was quite suprised about it, but even those that had NEVER been outside always knew where they lived. I would wager that your cat will wind up on your porch but will be scared to death of your trap. And I'll continue to hope and send positive thoughts your way.

 

I've had indoor cats for 14 years, and this is the first time one's run off like this; he's got a collar, but it's not helped yet.

The official statistics on indoor only cats returning home on their own is actually 2%. Thus, the trap was recommended and set up after 5 days missing.

As a good mom, I wanted to follow all the professional advice and do everything possible to get our kitty home.

Thanks for the good thoughts... the trap isn't where it would scare him away, but good thinking; wouldn't want that.

Best wishes o/

 

such a SMALL percentage of residents visit this board- most people won't have any idea where their cat has gone if you trap it and post it here or on tabby tracker. maybe you could put something in the newsletter, but i would wager the same small percentage that comes here makes up a LARGE percentage of folks who read the newsletter cover to cover. maybe notifying local vets of any cat you find would be wise, just in case the owner calls THEM to get advice... at least net of informed cat owners would be widened.

good luck- i hope your cat comes back safe and sound.

 

Thank you for the nice post. I have stated already that in addition to here and tabbytracker.com that Stream Valley Vet has a report and picture. Also, I filed a Found Report to the Animal shelter and sent them e-mail with a picture. They have a bulletin board that they post printouts onto.

The reason for tabbytracker.com? It was the 1st site to pop up in google when I was looking for my lost cat I had to pay extra to post pictures, but if it helps me and this other owner, then it's worth it.

The newsletter doesn't come out often enough for a lost and found pet section although it is widely read. One of the local papers that is circulated would be good. Might be extra helpful if folks reading the paper and here would cross post too.

Thanks again for all the help,
Sharon

 

I have "rescued" 5 homeless strays. Posts to all the local vets and county shelter yielded one found owner for one lucky cat. The others, if they had homes went on to new homes. I can safely say, the other four were cast offs. They were in poor health and only one other was neutered. One was declawed and very shy of hands, shunned eye contact and behaved as if had been abused.

The one cat who's owner claimed him, was riddled with round worm :eww:and when I mentioned this to the owner she just shrugged it off and said she couldn't pill him to treat them. She claimed he was a strictly indoor cat.

 

Why don't you release the cats that you don't know instead of taking them to a shelter? We trapped to get a racoon and we got two cats, two opposums and the racoon. I let the cats and oppusums go, Ranger Rick got sent to the forests of western loco.

Our cat got lost for five days when he was really young, he came back after we put his litter out near the balcony and had our other cat hang out. Cats rely on smell to get home. Good luck!

As far as keeping your cats in, that is your business, I get riled up when I get the wagging finger from people who believe ALL cats should be indoor. My cat is like my kid, and I want my kid independent and out of the house when she is 18!

 

Homer, why did you trap Ranger Rick?

 

I'm sorry if this has been answered already, but what does your cat look like? I saw a gray tabby without a collar yesterday hanging around Autumnwood Sq. I was going to try to catch it, but I had my dog with me. By the time I went back out to try to search for the cat, it was gone.

 

Thanks so much for trying! That is not our kitty though. Ours is black with long hair and a green collar (although that might have come off by now being outside for so long? also when it's on, it's hard to see under all that hair of his)

 

:notfunny:

Cats are "mini-lions" that would eat you if they were big enough!:notfunny: