My outdoor cat lived to 12 years old...but I see your perspective...my female (his litter mate) was hit by a car and died at 4 years old.
I called him a Tom Cat and realized that I forgot the real meaning is that they are unaltered...mine was altered...good point about it being irresponsible having a free roaming outdoor cat that is unaltered.
In two places I've lived I've fed and trapped feral cats from feral cat colonies here: well the humane society provided the traps adn then I'd drive them in to be altered& vaccinated and then picked them up and re-released them...they don't make for adoptable pets...the kittens if caught would be kept and adopted out
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Originally Posted by Cha Cha  All cat's lives are cut dramatically, half or more, when allowed to roam outside. The OP also said this cat was a TOM cat, which also means he was outside allowed to mate with all the feral cats in the neighborhood and beyond. Tom cats travel miles to mate, and get in dangerous cat fights in the process which causes terrible puncture wounds and death. I certainly don't mind a neighbor's cat on my property, but I find it difficult to believe a cat owner with a tom cat who by nature, roams,hunts, fights, and mates, can have their life snuffed out of them in an instant while the owner has no idea where he is, or where to look when it never comes home, being responsible. Most veterinarians recommend cats be confined to the house for their safety. |