Taking Cats to Canada
Feb 28th 2008 | 7:17 pm
#16
Thread Starter
Just Joined
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Posts: 11
Re: Taking Cats to Canada
Our two cats were twelve when we brought them over last summer. The male one had been virtually an indoor cat for the last three years anyway (we moved house and he got lost a couple of times and after that he would only go out in our back garden if we left the door open for him. He would panic and come running back the minute he saw the door was closed). The female cat used to go out and have a wander round and we were concerned about how she would get on when we got here, if we had to keep her indoors.
Here in Okotoks, cats are allowed to go out and there is no licensing. As it is, neither of them have shown any interest in going out - other than to go out onto the balcony when the sun is shining and sun themselves. I am hoping that will continue to be the case when the boys start leaving doors open in the summer as I don't want the female one becoming lunch for a coyote.
Here in Okotoks, cats are allowed to go out and there is no licensing. As it is, neither of them have shown any interest in going out - other than to go out onto the balcony when the sun is shining and sun themselves. I am hoping that will continue to be the case when the boys start leaving doors open in the summer as I don't want the female one becoming lunch for a coyote.
Feb 28th 2008 | 7:26 pm
#17
Now on Vancouver Island
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,935
From: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Feb 29th 2008 | 2:27 am
#18
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 526
From: Okotoks, Alberta
Re: Taking Cats to Canada
Yes I would second that - mine are the typical "born in a barn" types who always believed that doors just automatically shut after them (or rather the door fairy did it!!
) but even they have managed to shut doors through the winter months!! Summer may be different altogether though, as they will be expecting the door fairy to come out of hibernation!!
Feb 29th 2008 | 2:42 am
#19
little snowy owl
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,921
Re: Taking Cats to Canada
Just to add: There's a new Bylaw in Calgary that cats have to be licensed too. Came in last year.
Feb 29th 2008 | 3:30 am
#20
Scottish Canuck
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,703
From: Auld Scotia > Nova Scotia > Calgary
Re: Taking Cats to Canada
I took my cat over and she is allowed out wearing her harness which is attached to an extending dog lead which we have hooked up to both our front porch and back deck.
We are surrounded by woods and don't want her carried off by a critter
We are surrounded by woods and don't want her carried off by a critter
Feb 29th 2008 | 7:45 am
#21
Now on Vancouver Island
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,935
From: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Feb 29th 2008 | 8:10 am
#22
Thread Starter
Just Joined
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Re: Taking Cats to Canada
Coyotes are certainly a problem for outdoor cats http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=486685
Feb 29th 2008 | 9:33 am
#23
little snowy owl
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,921
Re: Taking Cats to Canada
Dogs are more "controllable" than cats though. The first thing we bought when we got here was an extendable leash. There are designated "off-leash areas", but on trails etc it's actually law that the dog is leashed ..... sensible too if it's inclined to go into the woods and come back with a bear or cougar hot on its tail!
Feb 29th 2008 | 9:59 am
#24
Pea Brain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,005
From: TBD
Re: Taking Cats to Canada
This means that after dark the dogs are accompanied by one of us if they need to go out to pee - it's the only safe way to stop them wandering off following a scent or acting brave when they hear the coyotes and running after them. During the daytime it's relatively unusual to see coyotes and we really don't have to worry a great deal about what the dogs are up to. They mooch about and do their own thing.
Feb 29th 2008 | 10:04 am
#25
little snowy owl
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,921
Re: Taking Cats to Canada
People underestimate the danger that dogs can be in from deer: even small ones will attack a dog without apparent provocation, especially if they have young to protect, and can do serious damage with their sharp lil hoofs! .
This occurs in the UK too, my dad's lab was chased on several occasions by deer while walking in darkest Sussex!
This occurs in the UK too, my dad's lab was chased on several occasions by deer while walking in darkest Sussex!
Feb 29th 2008 | 1:11 pm
#26
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,043
From: Edmonton.
Re: Taking Cats to Canada
As long as you choose your sitter carefully (as you are giving them a key to your home as well as leaving your cats in their care) it's a great option, particularly for cats who tend to prefer their own space, or pets that are stressed by a kennel or cattery environment.
The All Canadian Pet Sitters Network is a good place to find a sitter in your area, they only advertise sitters who have proof of insurance, business registration, references etc. http://www.acpsn.com/
Feb 29th 2008 | 3:21 pm
#27
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,327
From: Nusajaya
Re: Taking Cats to Canada
We can't make our cats go outside! They loved it in the autumn, when we got here. But now, with the snow, they can't handle it! One of them is from Dundee, too! (no stranger to snow).
They had an encounter with a skunk.... I think that did it.
They had an encounter with a skunk.... I think that did it.
