Inside Cats:

• have a life span of 12 - 20 years
• are not exposed to disease
• will not get abscesses from fighting neighborhood free roaming cats
• will not be threatened by dogs or wildlife
• will not suffer injury or amputation from leghold traps
• will not suffer from frost bite
• will not be hit by cars
• will not get lost
• will never go hungry
• cannot be abused by strangers
• are safe from chemicals and fertilizers
• cannot be stolen
• are happy living indoors

Outside Cats:

• have a life span of only 1 - 5 years
• will be exposed to leukemia, kitty AIDS, parasites, etc.
• will fight - causing expensive vet bills
• are maimed or killed by dogs and predators
• can get caught in leghold traps
• do suffer from frost bite
• are hit by cars and injured or killed
• do stray from home and get lost
• can die from starvation
• are abused by strangers
• are exposed to toxic lawn products or antifreeze
• are stolen
• breed, if not neutered or spayed, and add to pet overpopulation

• Put an elastic or breakaway collar with I.D. tag on your cat
• Provide your cat with additional identification with a microchip
• Attend your cat on a harness and leash when outside
• Provide a sheltered, outdoor enclosed area for fresh air.

The Indoor Cat Initiative

For more great information about enriching the life of your indoor cat, see the Indoor Cat Initiative started by Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.