When
Time hailed Sacramento, California as the "most
integrated" city in 2002, there was one segment of the city's
population that the magazine may have ignored: its cats.
The sad truth is that cats in Sacramento aren't quite as
integrated with their families as they could be. Thousands are
left to roam the streets of California's sprawling capital
region—cats with warm homes and loving families, but
misinformed owners who think the animals are happiest
outdoors.
Not only are these cats susceptible to disease, cruelty, and
a much shorter lifespan, but their owners also cost the
taxpayers thousands of dollars as government agencies are
forced to spend resources to deal with roaming cats. As
America's most popular pet—cats now outrank dogs by a couple of
million—cats are also the animal most likely to end up on the
steps of animal shelters throughout California and across the
nation.
With that in mind, The Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS) is launching its Safe Cats campaign in the Sacramento
area on Wednesday, March 12. That same day, Sacramento Mayor
Heather Fargo will issue a proclamation officially declaring
March 16-23 "Safe Cats Sacramento Week."
"Ultimately we want the status of cats to be that of dogs,"
says Cynthia Cutler, The HSUS's West Coast Regional Office
program coordinator. "Most wouldn't think of allowing dogs to
roam the neighborhood unsupervised, and people need to start
thinking the same way for cats."
In addition to the mayor's office, The HSUS is also teaming
up with the Sacramento River Cats (the AAA affiliate of Major
League Baseball's Oakland A's), area animal shelters, and
animal care and control agencies to provide public outreach and
education on the importance of keeping cats safe.
The Safe Cats campaign was created to help educate people
about the benefits of keeping their cat indoors or safely
confined within enclosures, special fencing, even walking them
on a leash. The campaign teaches people how to "bring the
outdoors in" and enrich the life of indoor cats.
In the Sacramento area, The HSUS is bringing the Safe Cats
message to feline owners through billboards and bus tailgate
posters, asking them to keep their cat safely indoors. In
addition, a Montel Williams public service announcement will
hit radio airwaves.
"Cats are as deserving of our protection as dogs," Williams
says in the announcement. "But millions of cats suffer and die
needlessly because they are allowed to roam."
While cats are now America's most popular pet, they are also
the pet most likely to die prematurely from disease, poison,
attacks from other animals, abuse by humans, or speeding
vehicles—simply because their owners wrongly think cats somehow
belong outdoors. The estimated average life span of a
free-roaming cat is less than three years—compared to 15-18
years for the average indoor-only cat.
What's more, a free-roaming cat can shorten the lives of
wildlife; such cats kill millions of wild animals each year,
including chipmunks, field mice and birds.
"The bottom line is that there is no reason for cats to be
outdoors alone. We domesticated them and we have a
responsibility for their safety," says Cutler. "They're safest
indoors or safely confined, and a safe cat is a happy cat."
Once the message of the Safe Cats campaign spreads, The HSUS
hopes there will be a reduction in the number of cats roaming
Sacramento-area streets, and less cat-related problems for
animal care and control. Educational materials from the Safe
Cats campaign can be ordered through the link below.
