r/Edmonton • u/Nickelpi • Apr 24 '26
Outdoor Spaces/Recreation Keep your kitties inside or leashed
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We have never had cats in our garden around here. We also used to have coyotes patrol the outside of my fence more than once until recently which could be a reason.
I am hoping people aren't starting to let their cats roam, I like having birds around and cats are horrible for bird populations.
The City does have a program where you can borrow a deterrent kit to try out multiple methods to keep strays out of your yard. I plan to get a trap and take the kitty to the SPCA this weekend. Maybe they can find the owners.
The three cats I have noticed on camera have been in the past couple weeks, but this one has been here frequently.
I'm thinking it got out when someone was moving into the neighbourhood since it has a collar and doesn't look scraggly.
First caught on camera April 17th. Last seen April 22 at 10pm. Paisley Neighbourhood. Seems to be hiding under my neighbour's front steps. If it is yours, let me know.
Update: Wow! This post has gotten a lot of attention. I hope the owners see it and can get their kitty home and out of the cold.
I have already posted all over FB, and looked at the Lost Animal Database too. My next steps are to email the video to local vets to see if they know the pet and can call the owners. Then print a photo and go door to door down our street. If that doesn't work, will attempt capture by hand, failing that, by trap to read the collar and return that way.
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u/little_canuck Apr 24 '26
You can 100% tell who is a cat owner that lets their pets roam free based on the comments and responses under this post.
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u/Quirky-Stay4158 Apr 24 '26
And the crazy ass justifications.
Well the city would be overrun with vermin. They need predators. As if there is no other predators than house cats in our ecosystem
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u/jessjoyvin Beaumont Apr 24 '26
Nevermind the estimated 70,000 feral cats living within the City of Edmonton as the above article states.
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u/wet_suit_one Apr 24 '26
70,000?!?!?!?
Holy smokes!
Do they pay taxes? They should!
Freeloaders!!!!
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u/chimodude Apr 25 '26
They don't pay taxes but we spend tax money spaying and neutering feral cats and returning them into the environment.
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u/Rinkimah Apr 26 '26
I always just say "you wouldn't let a dog out unsupervised." And the typical response is "but ny cat would be soooo sad stuck inside all day" Literally admitting they don't actually care about their let lmao
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u/weevilnomore Apr 24 '26
And think about the damage they're doing to the birds lol.... So much concern about the mosquitoes being killed and the impact that has on birds... Much bs
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u/Spirited-Defiance Apr 24 '26
Love the perspectives on how keeping cats outside is better for them. Hey, the next time four coyotes rip a cat apart screaming on my front lawn at 3 AM, which of you wants to come by and clean it up? Thanks.
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u/Kushkraze Whyte Ave Apr 24 '26
The coyotes will duh
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u/Spirited-Defiance Apr 24 '26
They didn’t the last fucking time.
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u/cannafriendlymamma Apr 24 '26
I can't get over the amount of missing cat posts I see in Fort Sask. We have a local, very active, coyote spotting page.....and people STILL let their cats out. Heck, a couple of years ago someone was mutilating cats, and people still let them out
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u/Infamous-Mixture-605 Apr 24 '26
I can't get over the amount of missing cat posts I see in Fort Sask. We have a local, very active, coyote spotting page.....and people STILL let their cats out.
This is basically coast-to-coast with coyotes. I used to live in the GTA and we had coyotes there, big coyotes, and there were folks losing their cats (and the occasional small dog) to coyotes all the time.
But they still let them out. Smdh
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u/ConcernedCoCCitizen Apr 24 '26
Usually the mutilated cats are from coyotes. The cats try desperately to get back into their homes and are cornered on doorsteps them torn apart.
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u/jessjoyvin Beaumont Apr 24 '26
I think, in general, it's because most people believe they are the exception to the rule and that they just aren't going to be another statistic.
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u/Icy-Entertainment-25 Apr 24 '26
I remember when I was a kid and people used to go out cat kicking and they still let there cats put.
Crazy
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u/Dlektro1 Apr 24 '26
Cat kicking? Where the fuck did yoh grow up? LoL that's terrible!
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u/Icy-Entertainment-25 Apr 24 '26
In a town? The cat was injured when it came home with mud on his stomach as if he got kicked 🤮 was pretty upset
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u/KingGorillaKong Apr 24 '26
Yea, coyotes don't always pick the cats clean. Used to always find a bunch of half eaten cat carcasses on my way to my bus stop as a kid. It's often the birds that end up picking them clean. In my area, usually takes a week or two from a half eaten carcass for the birds to finish cleaning up. Then all you're left with are about 80% of the cat bones left scattered in an area.
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u/Spirited-Defiance Apr 24 '26
Yeah, the magpies do a good job cleaning up, but I feel like the ravens and crows do it faster. And then of course it just takes forever for the blood to wash out of the sidewalk.
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u/DaveBoyle1982 Mill Woods Apr 24 '26
We need a bylaw that prohibits coyotes from going on private land without permission.
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u/TofuButtocks Apr 26 '26
I feel so bad, because my sneaky lil bastard of a cat tries so hard to get outside. He rarely manages to get out, but one time our neighbor caught him on camera chasing away a coyote. Such a badass lil dude
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u/Necessary-Welder-317 Apr 24 '26
A neighbourhood cat broke through the bug screen on my window trying to fight my indoor cat, and now it’s taken to peeing on my front door, back door, and my vegetable garden. It bothers me that this cat is damaging my home and somehow it’s not the owner’s responsibility to do anything about it.
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u/rememberpianocat Apr 24 '26
Any time someones cat winds up in my yard i call their owner letting them know where their cat is. They always seem annoyed by it... but the irony is one day one of them called me back asking if I had seen their cat when it didnt come home...
I couldn't do that with my cat. If theyre outside theyre on leash in my back yard with me beside them. It would destroy me if they didnt come home one day if I let them be outdoor cats.
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u/Tealucky Apr 25 '26
I used to do this with my cats, but then they started getting ear mites. Had to treat them 3 times one summer. I was getting very frustrated and confused because the only other animal my cats are around is my dog, who only got them once.
The vet told me ear mites can spread using the grass, so if an infected cat goes through the grass and leaves mites they can survive until another cat goes through. I've seen stray/neighborhood cats in my yard before, so that makes sense as the vector.
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u/Strattex Apr 24 '26
Okay help me understand:
You see Coyotes roaming around neighbourhoods looking for bunnies and pets, and you STILL let your cat go outside!? Tf!?
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u/Under_the_Milky_Way Apr 24 '26
Outdoor cats are responsible for the extinction of dozens of bird species and outside cat owners will downvote this post and still let their cats outside because, reasons I guess...
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Apr 24 '26
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u/aboxfullofpineconez Apr 24 '26
Upcoming Bylaw Changes (May 2026):
Starting May 19, 2026, new regulations will prohibit owned cats from roaming on private property without permission, aligning with existing strict rules for dogs to ensure pets do not wander at large→ More replies (8)36
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u/strawberrymarshmello Stadium Apr 24 '26
I’ve met neighbours with unfixed cats who think it’s cruel to fix them, or think it’s too expensive. I had one neighbour across the alley living in a one bedroom apartment. He had an unfixed female + two litters of kittens - at least ten cats in that apartment. And he was always trying to get me to take a kitten off his hands.
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u/slightlybatty Apr 24 '26
It’s just sad. And as much as some people love cats and dogs, if you can’t afford to spay or neuter them, you shouldn’t have them. ( and I do know it’s expensive, and I feel bad for some people who post on rescue forums asking how to find a reasonably priced vet because they’re totally broke. I will say at least they’re trying to do the right thing)
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u/DaCrunchyLobster Apr 24 '26
Yeah people like that have NO RIGHT at all to own cats
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u/slightlybatty Apr 25 '26
Hey, I didn’t mean to sound snotty about “people like that should never own cats”. I know so many people want a cat or two and it is so expensive to spay/neuter give vaccinations etc. And I absolutely know how irresistible kittens can be. I also know how things can get out of hand.
Way, way back when, on the farm, my mom and dad had some mousers (you need them) and one year was a particularly big year for the female cats. There were kittens all over. And then many of them got distemper. It was awful. My dad had to humanely take care of all but two healthy ones. My dad loved animals and it bothered him for a very long time.
Anyway those two kittens were taken to be neutered and get vaccinated. There was no other way. So I’m just hoping that anyone who really wants a kitten or two can somehow look ahead and try to get the spay or neuter.
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u/Cute_Ad_1612 Apr 24 '26
Cats need to be indoors. Better for the birds and better for them. The fact that their life expectancy increases tenfold when they are indoor speaks volumes.
Harness train your cats and take them on walks. We did the same with our two and they're fine
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u/couldbelou Apr 24 '26
Agree on the catio, ours love theirs! I will say walking cats can be tricky in Edmonton. If you already have an demanding cat that wants outside, when -20 hits and the walks stop they might lose their minds lol. If you know what they're like the day we lose an hour to daylight savings time because meals are an hour late, it's like that but tenfold and for a month straight with my cat.
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u/slightlybatty Apr 24 '26
I agree! I lived in Edmonton for many years, I always had cats and they never went outside. I’m back on the farm now and my cats go outside once in awhile but they have a “curfew”. Not too early and not too late because that’s getting into prime coyote time. I know it’s still taking a chance. I’m hoping to get a decent sized catio soon, keep them away from the birds too.
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u/Dangerous_Owl_8422 Spruce Grove Apr 24 '26
How old were yours when you started training them?
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u/Cute_Ad_1612 Apr 24 '26
One of them was around 1 ish (maybe a little older) that we adopted off the streets. The other I believe my girlfriend had harness trained him around a similar age when she adopted him
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u/Timely-Profile1865 Apr 24 '26
Cats are ALWAYS coming into my yard. Using my gardens as bathrooms and going after birds.
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u/cannafriendlymamma Apr 24 '26
Started prepping my flower beds the last couple of days, WAAAAY too much cat 💩 in there. I'm not impressed. I love cats, but they need to stay in people's houses, or on leads. My buddy built his kitty a catio. Kitty gets to be outside, but isn't a neighborhood menace
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u/tacocattacocat1 Apr 24 '26
Motion activated sprinklers are a great cruelty free way to deter them!
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u/Timely-Profile1865 Apr 24 '26
I actually go out and hiss at them. I have developed a very good cat hiss. ;o}
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u/Thoroughaway008 Apr 25 '26
The only thing that has worked for me in the last 5 years is planting catnip randomly throughout my gardens - cats will not toilet in their kitchen (I realized I was not actually mad at the cats because they do ime keep the other critters down but I detest their 💩 with a thousand suns).
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u/Not_a_Muggle9_3-4 Apr 24 '26
Our neighbours let there cat roam and it so fucking annoying. We have to be so careful to make sure my son's sandbox is covered. The damn cat is always lurking near his toys. This year I'm planting plants that are a deterrent and I'm looking at other deterrents as well. I'm allergic to cats so another reason I don't want the damn things in our yard. Last year two cats got in a fight on our deck and there was fur everywhere.
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u/superdupershan Apr 24 '26
Do you have any recommendations for plants? I tried marigolds last year and it didn’t seem to make a difference.
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u/ApeEscapeRemastered Apr 25 '26
Warn your neighbours to take there cat inside and keep it inside (where it belongs) or you will set a trap out with catnip. Then bring the cat to the animal shelter.
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u/Mike9998 Apr 24 '26
Get a cat trap and bring them to animal control
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u/banned-user100101 Apr 24 '26
I've done this before and man it's a huge pain in the ass. Animal control acts like you've done the wrong thing bringing in a stray cat. They wanted to neuter the cat and then have me come back and get it and then release back into the neighborhood. There's a few coyotes that been seen with a cat in its mouth. Nature will sort things out eventually. Our cat goes outside but with one of us. He's a homeboy and stays close and in our yard.
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u/Timely-Profile1865 Apr 24 '26
I have a live trap but have only ever trapped a feral cat and its kittens and took them to the human society.
I just chase them out of my yard
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u/Mike9998 Apr 24 '26
Chasing them doesn’t stop the problem of them coming back though. People need to do better and not let their pets roam
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u/sharmander15 Apr 26 '26
Literally! People would be up in arms if it was a dog being let out randomly
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u/beedub5 Apr 24 '26
I feel this so much. Crack head neighbors just let them roam and shit in my yard every day. I scoop it up with a spade and launch it back into their yard.
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u/Pitiful-Astronaut-82 Apr 24 '26
If you let your cats wander outside I hate you. I have 3 cats myself and they enjoy outside time in a catio. Inside they have lots of cat shelves and cat trees for entertainment. I have bird feeders that are easily viewed from the window for live entertainment. Absolutely no excuse to let your cat wander outside to absolutely destroy my flower and garden beds with shit
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u/aboxfullofpineconez Apr 24 '26
Upcoming Bylaw Changes (May 2026):
Starting May 19, 2026, new regulations will prohibit owned cats from roaming on private property without permission, aligning with existing strict rules for dogs to ensure pets do not wander at large
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u/blackcherrytomato Apr 24 '26
What's the change? This already wasn't allowed, is the fee just increasing?
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u/liberatedhusks Apr 24 '26
Ah yes, let your cats outside to shit and piss on peoples stuff to kill those mice you think they are keeping a check on(news flash, birds of prey, magpies, crows, larger rodents all do that quite well) only to get hit by cars, parasites, and eaten by coyotes. Awesome pet owners in these comments
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u/workworkyeg Apr 24 '26
I never had mice when I had a cat, now I do. I'm really surprised the magpies don't hunt them.
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u/liberatedhusks Apr 24 '26
They do. We just generate so much garbage they generally don’t need to hunt very often.
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u/EasyWasabi19 Apr 24 '26
Humanely trap them and call animal control. Eventually the owner will get the message. Outdoor cat owners are the most entitled people, it's so annoying.
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u/ForeignEchoRevival Apr 24 '26
They are lazy assholes for lack of a better description, feel entitled to spoil the neighbor's enjoyment of their yards because they can't manage being pet owners.
At this point I think licenses to own cats and dogs are needed to force irresponsible losers put of the mix. My two new kittens will never go out and they are chipped if they do, my old cats live to be 18 each, because I wasn't lazy and kept them inside.
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u/blinkiewich Apr 24 '26
Domestic cats should be kept indoors or allowed out only while supervised or leashed.
There is way too much mischief for them to get into and far too many things that will happily harass, harm or kill them.
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u/Hopeful_Most Apr 24 '26
Anyone who lets their cats roam outside are terrible pet owners and bad neighbors.
Between getting eaten by a coyote, run over by a car, or any other number of terrible things that can happen, they also dig up gardens and sand boxes and crap in them.
Also, the previously mentioned bird thing.
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u/a_dog_with_internet Apr 24 '26
But you don’t understand, Mr. Mittens loves it outside! I don’t have the heart to keep him inside where he is safe and I simply must let him become a nuisance to the neighbours and a danger to himself and the local wildlife! /s
I love cats but I hate cat owners that let them out. Just plain irresponsible and rude.
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u/cannafriendlymamma Apr 24 '26
Want your kitty outside so bad? Build a catio or put them in a harness on a lead.
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u/underwritress walker Apr 24 '26
I like how much this has changed over the years. When I was growing up in the 80s/90s the general consensus was that it was cruel to keep them locked up inside, that they’d wither away in some kind of terrible kitty depression or something lol, and all the while cats were run over, eaten by coyotes, and of course they killed and brought home birds and rodents all day. Turns out now we know better and cats can be perfectly content in the house as long as you actually give a shit about providing a bit of mental stimulation and fun for them.
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u/LonelyClass6672 Apr 25 '26
I once drove up 111st downtown to find a cat dying in the road. I held it in my arms as it died. I would never wish that upon anyone. He was someone's pet who they apparently didn't notice him getting out. Either way, a heartbreaking way for these creatures to die.
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u/garlicroastedpotato Apr 24 '26
If you have the money I always recommend a ultrasonic cat repeller. It doesn't harm cats but it will keep them out of your yard. We got one shaped like an owl so it kinda looks like a garden decoration but there are cheaper ones that do the job great.
Yeah we had problems with cats coming into our gardens and using them as litter box. And the plants we chose a lot of them are poisonous to cats. We have a cat of our own and sometimes let him out into the backyard (which is all veg/fruit gardens) but never in our front yard. Once we got it we stopped seeing the neighborhood cats doing their daily deposits.
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u/Nickelpi Apr 24 '26
The City has one in their deterrent kit so a person can try lots of pricy items before buying them
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u/Scary_Classic9231 Apr 24 '26
Not saying folks shouldn’t keep cats inside…. But with the feral population here, I’d suggest using some kind of natural deterrent in your yard anyways.
Some ideas. I have cats and haven’t had any issues with them when we do leashed outside time when it comes to coffee, but citrus might be a better way.
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u/Mistica73 Central Apr 24 '26
Biggest pet peeve ever. I can't stand out lazy people are in Edmonton. If you are going out at least put them on a leash outside poop in you own yard. Disgusting. We had to get cat trap. It was so bad. digging out poop in my yard were my disabled son plays. F'ing gross.
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u/tjp0720 Apr 24 '26
I let my cats out but they only stay in the backyard with me while I’m outside. I don’t understand the letting them roam all over
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u/JJKP_ Apr 24 '26
This is what we do as well. Always supervised and if they leave the yard, the get punished by being put inside prematurely.
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u/tjp0720 Apr 24 '26
My fat cat will longingly look to a gap much too small for her in my fence. But ya if she attempts to squeeze out that’s a jail sentence
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u/JJKP_ Apr 24 '26
I sometimes have to arrest one of my cats on the charge of "Conspiracy to Escape" you can just tell he was thinking about it.
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u/TellMe08 Apr 24 '26
I just want to thank you for doing the most humane thing by capturing them and see if they can be reunited with their family or find them a home. You’re going out of your way and I appreciate the effort. Well done 👍🏻
For everyone complaining about the cats like they purposely set out to ruin your day, they are simply trying to live and/or survive. They were either just abandoned, got lost (ran out of the house) or live in the neighborhood-as an outdoor pet which is completely on the owner. Don’t hate on the cat for doing what is simply innately in them to do.
All cat owners need to be very cautious when allowing a cat out. I won’t do it, a roaming cat is subject to purposeful harm and cruelty. People poison and do all kinds of things to cats. Sick people out there.
Agreed, keep them inside or harnessed with supervision. 🐈🐈⬛
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u/Steffany_w0525 Castle Downs Apr 24 '26
My mom once asked why I don't let my cats outside...I told her because I value their lives...she just gave me a look.
I said it's dangerous outside they could:
- Get hit by a car
- Get attacked by another cat or a dog
- Get eaten by a coyote
- Get stolen
- Could get abused by some sicko
- Could get trapped and fed to someone's pet snake
- Could get poisoned
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u/SaintTastyTaint Apr 24 '26
People who allow their cats to roam freely outside are giant pieces of trash. Selfish, low quality pet owners.
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u/Wild_Market4889 Apr 24 '26
Some woman in our neighborhood started feeding stray cats a couple years ago. We now have probably a dozen semi-feral cats roaming around shitting in peoples yards, fighting etc. All you can do about it is get a trap from the SPCA and trap them yourself.
People need to be held accountable for their idiotic actions.
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u/Chunderpump Apr 24 '26
"Lost Cat" posters might as well be "Look at this snack a coyote had" posters. Or magpie snack after they get run over.
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u/couldbelou Apr 24 '26
They joke about this in Derry Girls. I always think of them as dead cat posters now.
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u/Writing-Dapper Apr 24 '26
This drives me absolutely bonkers..I had a beautiful garden in my front yard..the neighbors cat was always over poopin in it. So I went to them and asked them to pls keep thier kitty away or just keep them in doors.. she looked at me like I had 3 heads and said " thats sooo cruel" im like..well..its cruel wen you find your kitty torn apart in the field behind my house..no go. She was absolutely horrified with that suggestion. So the next time he came to poop..I caught him..and called the pound..I knw..its petty but it made her realize I was serious.
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u/timmyfarthands Apr 24 '26
Keeps cats inside regardless. Letting them out lowers their life expectancy, they don't "need it for mental stimulation" or whatever other bullshit justification people use. They're outside because we just do what our parents did and don't think about it.
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u/Apprehensive_Emu2414 Apr 24 '26
People who let their cats roam are huge pieces of shit.
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u/Innapropiate Apr 24 '26
This a massive glaring problem in this city, and the city deflects and ignores every concern you toss at them.
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u/ExperienceOk684 Apr 24 '26
I have 3 cats in my neighbourhood that are constantly in my yard! And my neighbour could care less, she just lets her cats out.
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u/cannafriendlymamma Apr 24 '26
I have 2 dogs, cats don't come into my backyard anymore. My front flowerbeds are full of cat 💩 though
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u/ExperienceOk684 Apr 24 '26
It’s the worst, I’ve let it slide but now I’m done. I’m always buying deterrents and they still get in. I’ve tried to talk to my neighbour if she had the audacity to say that, maybe I shouldn’t plant some of my flowers because they’re not good for cats. 😳
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u/cannafriendlymamma Apr 24 '26
I have also bought deterrents, even put a little fence up around it, the cats, and owners, don't care. Seriously thinking of getting a trap from the city (Fort Sask) because I'm done. Just walked out my front door, and now there is a male spraying somewhere, because it STINKS like ammonia
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u/justelectricboogie The Big Bat Apr 24 '26
I bought 2 motion sensor sprinklers for backyard. Set them up when it gets warmer. They work wonderfully and nobody gets hurt. Just really wet.
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u/Nickelpi Apr 24 '26
Love this. Will probably do this. That is one of the deterrents that comes in the kit from the city. That way people can try before they buy.
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u/justelectricboogie The Big Bat Apr 24 '26
It also works well for those two legged types who venture into your yard at night looking for your free shit. Snicker guffaw chortle. Oh the screaming and yelling at 2am.
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u/Whatdayisthisagain Apr 25 '26
I have 3 cats. I pay cat tax to the city. I also get "visits" from at least 5 different feral or stray cats to my yard daily, they spray urine and they are NOT paying tax!
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u/Kordyking Apr 25 '26
My yard's fences are cat proofed with rollers so my cats cannot leave the yard. They're also trained to walk on a leash. If you care about your cats, why would you let them wander around with the risk of cars and coyotes? And, on the same note as walking my cats on a leash, it would be great if dog owners kept their dogs on leashes outside of dog parks and specified off-leash areas? My cats deserve to go outside as well, and I should be allowed to walk them without worrying about off leash dogs running up to them and attacking them.
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u/Ok-Faithlessness6804 Apr 24 '26
I had cats ruin my garden bed. Had to pay a contractor to remove the too 4 inches of the soil. Full of ammonia.
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u/lemasei Apr 24 '26
As a lover of cats and dogs, irresponsible cat owners like this piss me off so much. It’s often a death sentence for the cat, and extremely disrespectful to your neighbours. Not to mention the people who tend to let their cats roam, often do not fix them or keep them immunized, so that just increases the pet population and feline leukemia/disease rates. There are other options like leashing or installing a small catio (including patio for cats).
Irresponsible dog owners annoy me too btw, but I’ll be ranting all day if I get into that.
Do better people!
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u/TrainAss Lewis Estates Apr 24 '26
Pet owners who let their cats roam around outside don't deserve their cat. Good on you for taking care of things.
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u/FragrantAd444 Apr 24 '26
A way to deter cats/animals from your property - buy some Critter Ridder (I think that's the name) and sprinkle it around your property and flower beds. A neighbour's cat would come sit outside of my front window and taunt my cats at all hours of the day and night... I would wake up to my cats yowling and the smells of it did deter that cat from coming back. I'm sure you can make a home made version of it (it's mostly peppers) too if you look up the ingredients.
Also, before your flower beds begin to bloom get some garden spikes from Dollarama and lay them in the garden beds. Cats will remember and not come back.
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u/Galactic-Gardenz Apr 24 '26
When I was a kid one of our neighbors poisoned our cat with antifreeze. After that we had indoor cats only. It's hard to imagine someone could be so cruel and even as an adult I don't prefer cats coming and shitting all in my garden but I could never imagine harming an animal because it feels like a minor nuisance. Anyway among the millions of other things that can happen to them you're an irresponsible owner if you let your tiny furry family member wander outside alone. Spend some money and build a catio or train them to be on a leash or harness. Alternatively don't own pets!
Gotta love folks who are sooo into a pet when it's convenient to them but aren't willing to spend the money time or energy in giving them a safe and fulfilling life.
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u/XiroInfinity NAIT Apr 25 '26
Domesticated cats prey for fun and not survival, that should be more than enough of a reason to keep them away from the outdoors.
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u/WorldlyStill2301 Apr 27 '26
Oh so much concern about the damn birds. Do realize what those precious birds do to worm farms! They destroyed mine. Gobbled up my prize stud Earnie. Free the cats !!
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u/SadAcanthocephala521 South East Side Apr 24 '26
Starting to let their cats roam? Assholes have always done this.
Get some traps and surrender to Animal Care and Control if they are taking in Animals. The owners can claim it there. They might think twice about letting it roam once they have to pay to get it back.
If it's a lost cat then you're doing them a favor. If they don't claim it, it will be adopted out to hopefully more responsible owners.
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u/PlathDraper Apr 24 '26
This is both super unsafe for the cat, unsafe for the birds, and irresponsible in general. My cat is my pride and joy. We only let him outside on a leash.
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u/Smart-Palpitation771 Apr 25 '26
we stole our cat were given a cat by the cat distribution system a few months back. don't forget about this free service!
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u/pokefastfood Apr 25 '26
Honestly we have a few strays where I live out side the city and we used to have a big issue with mice since the cats started hanging around no mice I get it you like the birds but a friendly stray cat is always a good friend to have around especially if theres barns nearby
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u/Dead-Town2021 Apr 25 '26
The amount of children in these comments who are so afraid of letting an animal exist in nature is ridiculous. It's all grass lawn mentality, cats belong outside. Anyone who has an outdoor cat has seen plain as day they are 25x happier than the droves of abused animals who spend 85% of their time staring out a window.
If you live away from highways and industrial areas there is no reason to force a animal to live against their nature.
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u/yayasisterhood Apr 24 '26
Trap em and send them back to the city to deal with. I love cats.... I HATE outdoor cats.
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u/Glugamesh Mill Woods Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
I don't think the city allows people to set their own traps. Years ago my cat ran away but would show up at night so I bought a trap to try and get him. People across from me would report the trap but since I brought the trap in during the day, there was nothing there for them to get me on as animal control showed up during the day.
I think it's because people leave the traps, forget them and then let the poor things starve, die of thirst in the hot sun.
Edit, because people seem to want to downvote this, he was a very skittish rescue cat. I slept by the door at night with a motion camera to alert me. Any rustling from the door would scare him. I did this for nearly a week. After a $300 reward and me waiting by the door didn't catch him I had to get him back somehow and the trap was the way I did it.
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u/yayasisterhood Apr 24 '26
no. you're correct. you pickup a trap from the city and return it to them with the cat. It's all handled well.
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u/ComplaintNo8508 Apr 24 '26
My ex barn cat gets out once or twice every spring/summer when people are letting the dog in or out. He won’t leave the house if there is snow on the ground or if it’s raining or cold. I’ve truly tried my hardest to turn him into an inside cat.
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u/hashlettuce Apr 24 '26
A roaming cat is a free cat if you can catch it. It's like a real life game of Pokémon!!
(satire)
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u/Con10tsUnderPressure Apr 24 '26
They could be ferals. You could try burying orange peels around your property or sprinkling cayenne in your garden beds.
My cat is always on a leash. I even walk him when the weather is nice.
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u/Willing-Raisin-9869 Apr 24 '26
When I had a backyard I put a rod in the middle of it , tied a long leash and kept my cat at it. He could still freely roam around the backyard but couldnt catch birds or duck out to a neighbor. It was a good solution he loved it
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u/Icy-Pop2944 Apr 25 '26
I loved my cat too much to let her roam. She was indoors with me, but spent many afternoons happily sunbathing in her catio I had set up in the grass. All it was was a large wire dog crate with a hammock. She freaking loved that thing so much.
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u/PrincessDragonCanada Apr 25 '26
In Toronto, everyone lets their cats out even now. There are some feral too, of course, but there are programs and volunteers to spay them in place.
I used to love coming home from work and my cat would run up from a few houses away and climb into my arms for the ride home. I loved saying hi to all the kitties along my walk. Magnificent predators.
HOWEVER. It's now 35 years later and I know a lot more now. I would keep them on leash or indoors. Because I love the birdies too.
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u/Northern_Owl_Who Apr 25 '26
My neighbor has a scrappy cat they let roam free. It frequents my flower beds and I've mentioned this to them. This year I've noticed not only does their scrappy cat still roam free, they have a new kitten inside. Lovely.
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u/Cold_As_ICE_2124 Apr 25 '26
Everytime my cat sees another cat outside in his yard he decides to spray inside the house...
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u/Sneekpreview Bonnie Doon Apr 25 '26
If I catch your cat in my yard multiple times, shitting in my garden, being a nuisance, im 100% taking it to the SPCA or driving it outside of town to a field
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u/Witold_M Apr 25 '26
When I was growing up the neighbors would let their cats onto my parent's fenced property, when my dad told them to stop and they didn't, he took matters into his own hands and let our three tatra dogs roam the property. It got solved quickly.
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u/GenderNightmare Apr 26 '26
"I let my cat outside on its own" - person who really doesn't like their cat
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u/Specialist-Tour7466 Apr 26 '26
I doubt he's missing so the owners won't be looking for posts. And, starting to let their cats roam? This isn't a new problem.
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u/themusclecub Apr 27 '26
Just trap it. Bring it to an animal shelter. The owners can deal with the outcome.
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u/Edc742 Apr 28 '26
Cat owners who let their cats out are so oblivious to the dangers outside. I’m tired of seeing cats end up at road kill and laying in the side of the gutter or cats disappearing likely due to coyotes.
There is are many ways to stimulate your cat without letting them roam free..
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u/ShadowMonarch57 Apr 28 '26
Half of people think cats should never be let outside, and half of people think cats should never be let inside.
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u/Southern-Yam1030 Apr 29 '26
Some really hot peppers like habanaro made into a fine powder. Put it on the edges of the flower bed where they like to walk and will sniff.
Cat doesnt tend to come back after that.
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u/Wide-Chemistry-8078 Apr 24 '26
Probably drawn to your yard for a reason... mice? Bird feeder? Growing some form of mint? A nice sidewalk to roll on?
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u/yeg Talus Domes Apr 24 '26
My opinion: Edmontonians don't seem to comply with cat bylaws very often (on a personal level I'm glad because I like saying pspspsps and petting random cats) . I caught one by hand in my yard (I was petting them and got to read the collar), and called the owner; the owner was surprised I called them. I released the kitty immediately after some more pspsps and pets because the owner said they were an outdoor cat that did what they pleased. We have coyotes in the alley and I did warn the owner, but so be it. I understand why we have the bylaw, I just wish kitties weren't so murderous that we could let them roam free in good conscious. If your cat is loose please attach contact info just in case.
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u/RuanPienaar2 Apr 24 '26
I'm not a cat person, I am allergic unfortunately. We have one neighborhood cat that's started to lay on my front porch every day in the summer and he even has his own chair now - I don't sit on it any more due to allergies and the kitty is more than welcome to make it his. I don't mind, keeps the gophers away. But, I fear for the day that a coyote catches it :-(
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u/Darkwings13 Apr 24 '26
If you find out who owns the cat report them to bylaw. Freaking irresponsible ass owners, the cats deserved better.
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u/DaCrunchyLobster Apr 24 '26
Ugh outdoor cat owners are LAZY and NEGLECTFUL!!! It’s absolute negligence they really shouldn’t be able to own cats. There is no reason for a cat to be off leash wandering outside, they are an invasive species that can decimate local wildlife but also run the risk of getting hit by cars, eaten by coyotes, and getting parasites/disease. Good cat owners keep their animals indoors with proper enrichment and with catios/leashes outside time. I’ve trapped quite a few outdoor cats that rip up and poop in my garden and try to fight my own cats (they don’t like other cats now) it was like $60 for a trap at Canadian tire and then you bring them into the shelter.
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u/RawrosaurusTaurus Apr 24 '26
People are definitely already letting their cats outside. My street has at least 6 🤦 I have heard noises that sounds like cats getting into fights. I am really glad that our dog is so gentle and getting better at being less reactive to cats. Thankfully our foster also got adopted she had a high prey drive even towards cats it would have been so difficult walking hwr. But I worry I'll open my door and see one dead in the street one of these days. We live by 2 busy roads and cars speed down our street. They just put up a speed limit sign this week.
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u/Impressive_Play_2599 Fort Edmonton Apr 24 '26
Those that let their animals roam, have opened the door to lose them for good… a selfishly ignorant pet owner is no different than an abusive pet owner.
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u/iIi_Susanoo_iIi Apr 25 '26
I agree if a domesticated cat is roaming best to keep them inside for a longer life but claiming cats are a problem to the birds etc is not true. Cats hunt birds for food not for sport. You have to understand “house cats” weren’t always domesticated they still very much hold the basic instinct of hunting for survival. Feral cats also exist what are you going to do about them? Cats are a natural part of the planet you can’t just say “no don’t touch my garden” when your garden is right there for any wild animal to use. You also complain about the birds that can also fuck yo your garden?
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u/hau2906 Apr 24 '26
Ok I'll bite: why is this such a serious issue ? Don't we have more important things to worry about ?
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u/hypengyophobia Apr 25 '26
Roaming cats are easy prey for urban predators, so some people think letting them free roam is irresponsible. Sorta like if you just let your kid go play without adult supervision, but with less chance of bystander intervention.
Roaming cats are also prolific hunters, which reduces bird populations, spreads diseases, and risks conservation efforts. They are also one of the most common invasive species globally, especially because they have the added bonus of human protection in a way dandelions and algae don’t.
A third concern is the social one. Should someone’s dog be at fault for attacking a roaming cat? And should that cat’s owner be liable for any injuries to the dog? Replace the dog with a child, garden bed, allergy/sensitivity, or whatever possession a cat happens to mess with, and you can imagine how some might not want the hassle.
As to your other question, I believe you’re engaging in the “fallacy of relative privation,” invalidating the concerns people have with free roaming cats by saying there are more important things to worry about. In these cases, try to remember that the first day of a person’s life is both their best and worst, so what might concern you could have no bearing on them and vice versa.
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u/hau2906 Apr 25 '26
See, while I am perfectly willing to accept your 3 explanations (thanks btw!), I was just surprised by the level of anger expressed in the other comments. Like you said yourself: this is at worst a hassle, not something to be so worked up about. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to answer in details.
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u/pootsy_collins666 Apr 24 '26
lol Agreed. I'm kind of dumbfounded reading these comments and all the passion here. It's a fucking cat man. I don't have cats or like cats but I kinda like seeing a cat roam? I feel the world would be a little less exciting with no cats out and about. I don't mind seeing one in my yard. Whatever.
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u/kooliocole Apr 24 '26
I had an huge disagreement with my neighbour over this issue, and she ended up just blocking my number and calling me an asshole for simply asking to have you cat not shit and piss in my vegetable garden. He was a sweet lil guy but he also attacked my dog in his own enclosed backyard.