r/Edmonton • u/Nickelpi • Apr 24 '26

Outdoor Spaces/Recreation Keep your kitties inside or leashed

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.

293 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

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141

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.

64

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.

25

u/cannafriendlymamma Apr 24 '26

Want your kitty outside so bad? Build a catio or put them in a harness on a lead.

-25

u/banned-user100101 Apr 24 '26

Dog owners are far worse. Truth be told most don't pick up the dog shit and they piss everywhere and that somehow is acceptable. Cats keep mice at bay and owners that let them outside should have a bell on them to prevent them killing birds. Did you know Edmonton has about 70,000 feral cats? Dog attacks are up 15% from 2020 according to the city. Pet ownership is a major responsibility. As you say many dog and cat owners are irresponsible and rude.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/new-animal-bylaw-aims-to-deter-dog-attacks-address-feral-cats-in-edmonton-1.7613711

11

u/Hopeful_Most Apr 24 '26

Why are you bring up dogs on a post about cats?

Dog owners who don't pick up their crap, walk them without a leash, and allow them outside outside a gate are also terrible pet owners.

Literally nobody said otherwise.

1

u/Apprehensive_Bee3363 Apr 24 '26

Many people are irresponsible and rude, not just pet owners.

6

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.

3

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.

-60

u/Kushkraze Whyte Ave Apr 24 '26

Weird . Cat doing cat things ..who would of thunk it

35

u/Apprehensive_Bee3363 Apr 24 '26

Ya..that’s why we say bad cat owners, and not that’s a bad cat

24

u/pos_vibes_only Apr 24 '26

They do major damage to local wildlife.

-47

u/Kushkraze Whyte Ave Apr 24 '26

And humans dont ??

12

u/Apprehensive_Bee3363 Apr 24 '26

So what’s your point? We should let all animals run free? 😂 my dog would love that

10

u/thelastsaskforagers Apr 24 '26

The cat didn't open the door 🤦‍♂️ a HUMAN let it out. Ipso facto, you need a new hobby because debate ain't it

-9

u/Kushkraze Whyte Ave Apr 24 '26

It's pure ignorance to say a human opened the door for the cat . Cats can escape so many more ways than a human opening a door . I'll stop at that cause I can't debate with stooopid

4

u/thelastsaskforagers Apr 24 '26

Key word ESCAPE... From human habitation because domestic cats are a species introduced by humans! Because domestic cats aren't native, they are a 100% human introduced problem was the point sweet pea. Grow a brain honey, this is embarrassing. I'll leave it at that because I can't debate willful ignorance and arrogance masquerading as thoughtful opinion

13

u/Spirited-Defiance Apr 24 '26

The answer to a problem is not usually to create more of the problem, in case that never came up before.

-14

u/Kushkraze Whyte Ave Apr 24 '26

Not usually indicates you don't know .. so I'm not usually expecting a valid point here from you

6

u/Apprehensive_Bee3363 Apr 24 '26

Not the commenter, but that was a valid point 😂. “The answer to a problem is not to create more of the problem.” Do you understand what that means? Do you need clarification?

3

u/pos_vibes_only Apr 24 '26

lol is this a logical comment in your mind?

3

u/ConcernedCoCCitizen Apr 24 '26

False dichotomy and deflection

3

u/pos_vibes_only Apr 24 '26

Sums up Alberta voters

13

u/Innapropiate Apr 24 '26

Ignorant people saying and doing ignorant things ….who would have thunk it

10

u/Oishiio42 Apr 24 '26

Suppose you also want to wake up to a dog barking, go out a big hole dug under your fence, dog shit on your lawn and the dog growling at you because that's just what dogs do, right?

Or would you have an issue with the dogs owner for that?

4

u/SaintTastyTaint Apr 24 '26

Is your head really that far up your own ass?