Cats Must Be Confined

Fayetteville has a leash law for cats as well as dogs. According to city ordinance, cats as well as dogs must be under the physical control of the owner at all times (indoors, on a leash, within an enclosure). Cats should not be running "free." Fayetteville law forbids it.

Running "free" is not good for cats, either. One of our former Animal Service Officers noted that an indoor cat may live 20 years, but a cat running free usually only lives 5-7 years. In addition, cats running "free" do significant damage. The National Audubon Society and other bird and wildlife organizations are concerned with the toll taken on wildlife by unrestrained cats. There is nothing "natural" about cats killing birds, chipmunks, or frogs--cats are not part of the native wildlife. It is estimated that they kill hundreds of millions of native birds and other small animals every year in the US, including many endangered and protected species. This should not be permitted.

Cats can carry certain diseases that affect humans, and a cat running "free" is more likely to be exposed to diseases that affect humans as well as cat diseases.

People who love their cats and want them to live long, happy, comfortable lives confine their cats. They keep them indoors, allow them outdoors only with constant supervision, or build them outdoor play enclosures. Several outdoor cat areas have been built in Fayetteville. There is a cat outdoor enclosure in front of the shelter that was built many years ago. A fantastic "cat porch" was recently built in Fayetteville.

Six cats have the run of the house and the outdoor play area, almost as big as the house! The addition on the end of the porch was a cat enclosure at another house. It was moved and fitted to the porch.

Water dishes and litter boxes are kept both inside the house and on the cat porch. A cat door connects the outside areas to the indoors. There is also a human door for access to the porch from the house.

The idea of an outdoor enclosure for cats is not new. Years ago a cat owner in San Francisco built a two-story play enclosure that included an entire tree.

Another cat enclosure spotted in Fayetteville was smaller than the one shown here, but also had a cat door into the house, a human door (that could be locked) into the cat enclosure, and various platforms, branches, scratching posts, and other items for the entertainment of cats.

A cat enclosure is simply a win-win-win situation! Your cat is safe; birds and wildlife are protected from your cat; and you can relax knowing you won't make any tragic discoveries on the road or have any unexpected vet bills due to accidents, attacks from other animals, or other injuries.