Prevention

No one ever wants to be in a position where their pet has gone missing; it’s important to take the necessary steps in preventing that from happening. 

Preventing you Pet from Getting Lost Again

  • An ID tag can mean the difference between life and death for a dog or cat. Even indoor-only pets need tags. There have been incidents where pets escape the home following a burglary or fire.
  • Consider talking with your veterinarian about having a microchip implanted in your pet. Microchips cannot come off like a collar and tag.
  • Check your house and yard to determine how your pet managed to escape, and correct the problem as soon as possible.
  • Consider getting a secure outdoor enclosure for pet cats. (Catios).
  • Get your pet spayed or neutered if it has not been done. Animals who are still sexually intact will roam because they are looking to fulfill the natural instinct to mate. By having them spayed/neutered you will eliminate this desire and make it easier to keep them content and safe at home.

    In the event that you need someone other than yourself (the owner) to claim your pet please fill out the following form and submit it to the shelter: Consent for Care & Retrieval

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Enclosures for Cats

 For cats that roam outdoors, there are many dangers. Traffic, poisons, disease, conflicts with other animals, etc.  It also causes conflicts with neighbours if the cat is going to the bathroom on their property or interfering with birds visiting bird feeders.

 There are some commercially available enclosures. They can range from the simple to the sublime. They can be furnished with old tree stumps, branches, etc. for climbing and scratching opportunities; tarps to provide shade and protection from the elements; even enclosed ladders for safe access to and from the house.

Window Boxes and Perches

Another option is to install a window box that provides a protected perch for cats to enjoy a panoramicview of the great outdoors. Some sources are listed below.

  • Custom-designed window boxes. Write to 339 Pape Ave. , Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4M 2W9.
  • Cats With An Altitude (http://www.catswithanaltitude.com). Handcrafted widow patio enclosures.
  • The Cat’s Den (http://www.thecatsden.net). Commercial kits for outdoor cat window boxes.
  • Also several online and neighbourhood pet supply stores carry a variety of window boxes and perches as well.

 

Outdoor Enclosures Resources
This list is a resource only and does not imply endorsement by the Brant County SPCA.

The Cat’s Den (http://www.thecatsden.net). Commercial kits for indoor and outdoor cat runs and enclosures.

My Pet Enclosures (http://www.mypetenclosures.com). Provides custom and DIY kits for indoor/outdoor cat enclosures.

Purrfect Fence (http://purrfectfence.com). commercial kits and instructions for free-standing cat fence systems. Also offers professional installation in certain regions. And now offering “Cat-Proofer” system for converting existing fencing to make it escape-proof.

General Cage Corporation. A folding, portable, 3 story pen available through mail order catalogs, or write manufacturer at 238 N 29th St., Elwood, IN, 46036.

C & D Pet Products (http://www.cdpets.com). Commercial kits and diagrams for enclosures available in varous sizes and prices. Also offers kitten enclosures.

Safe Cat Outdoor Enclosure (http://www.just4cats.com). Detailed drawings and descriptions to create custom outdoor enclosures for cats and other small animals.

Kitty Walk System, Inc (http://www.kittywalksystems.com). Various commercial enclosures for cats and other small animals. Most enclosures are preassembled.

Sears (http://www.sears.com). Wire pet enclosures. Folding, portable pens, up to 24 inches high.

SunCATcher Enclosures (http://www.cagesbydesign.com). Free-standing outdoor cat enclosures for yard or patio.

CatsONDeck (http://www.catsondeck.com). Modular indoor/outdoor cat enclosures. Expandable and portable for RV use.

Wild Whiskers (http://www.wildwhiskers.com). Portable, light-weight, non-permanent cat enclosures.

Pet Enclosures Northwest (http://www.petenclosuresnorthwest.com). Located in Shoreline, WA.

Other Options
Here are a few more other suppliers that sell outdoor pens, tunnels and tents.

Kritter Community (http://www.kritterkommunity.com). Kritter condo pet enclosures.

On 4 pets (http://www.one4pets.com/indoor0outdoor-cat-enclosure). Indoor/outdoor cat enclosures.

Aussie Naturals (http://www.aussienaturals.org/store2/cat-tunnels-and-tents). Cat tunnels and tents.

Discount Ramps (http://www.discountramps.com/dog-pen/p/PET-PEN-BL). A portable dog pen that could also be used successfully for cats.

© Copyright Brant County SPCA. All rights reserved.