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14 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 13, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Cats are quite happy to remain indoors An indoor cat is a happy cat. Home not only provides safety from wild animals, angry people and traffic, but it can also provide cats with an environment well suited to the behavioural needs of felines. Every month, 10 or more injured animals find themselves at the Oakville and District Humane Society: most are cats. Although some owners believe that to keep a cat indoors is to deny them their natural need for hunting, the benefits of a happy indoor existence outweigh the risks of roaming outdoors. Cats have lived outdoors for hundreds of years, but being free to be outdoors does not ensure a high quality of life. With domestication cats are less suited to a nocturnal environment and the dangers that have come as part of modern living. Dr. Dennis Turner, an internationally recognized and certified applied animal behaviourist and cat behaviour expert, has suggested seven behavioural needs of cats. These are: social companionship with people and/or other cats; one litter box per cat or access to other appropriate elimination area; a warm, safe place to sleep; elevated perches and resting areas; one or more scratching posts; enough space so that cats can get away from other cats or people when they want; and mental stimulation for enrichment and to avoid boredom. In Oakville, cats are required by law to wear identification and if they wander off their property they can be picked up by the Oakville and District Humane Society. The biggest challenges to owners are ensuring that access to outdoors is restricted to safe zones, and while indoors the cat is given space away from others and is provided with mental stimulation. Providing perches, cubby holes, closets and shelves and generally making use of vertical space can help provide privacy for cats, even in a small home. Mental stimulation can be provided by social play with people, access to a window to see outdoor wildlife such as birds and squirrels, and toys that allow the cat to simulate prey catching. Growing cat grass can offer an indoor cat out of doors freshness. There are also commercial tapes of wild animals outside that can be purchased, which may have your cat watching entertaining television. Providing a social play environment by having more than one cat can also be appealing to some cats and will help keep kitty in shape. Space and mental stimulation also can be provided with controlled outdoor access. Letting cats have access to an outdoor cage or screened porch where they can be safe is one option. Taking cats on walks outside in a pet stroller or a leash and harness are other options. For more ideas, contact the Oakville and District Humane Society at 905-845-1551. ARCHANGEL CARE SERVICES A complete home based, support and care giving service, tailored to your individual requirements · Personal Care · Housekeeping · Companionship and befriending · Respite care From a few hours, to 24/7 care. Help when you need it, from people who really care. Tel 905-510-6677 Rotary in Oakville and around the world. For information visit: www.oakvillerotary.org Email angelcare07@hotmail.com We require outstanding care-givers for our growing number of clients. Call today for flexible work that is truly rewarding.