Life outside is dangerous for cats, too. Outdoor cats have significantly shorter lifespans than their indoor counterparts. Outside, cats face a number of threats, including being hit by cars, antifreeze poisoning, attacks by predators, and an overall increased risk of injury or illness. They can transmit diseases that endanger public health and the well-being of other domestic animals.
ABC’s Cats Indoors program advocates for science-backed policies to improve the outlook for birds and other wildlife, cats, and human health. We help policymakers and the public understand the many benefits of keeping cats indoors or safely under a person’s supervision while outdoors. We advocate for responsible pet ownership solutions to keep pets safe and help them live longer, healthier lives. We oppose Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) for feral cats because of the severe threats posed by these cats on the landscape.
We are at the forefront of a movement to overcome the challenges caused by roaming cats and advocate for science-based policies and management at the local and national levels. We engage communities in seeking strategies to address roaming or unowned cats where they live. We’re building a growing network of diverse stakeholders that includes animal shelters, veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators, and conservation biologists.
Join us in building a future where birds can thrive and cats are safe inside.
Outdoor cats suffer a much higher incidence of injury, parasites, and disease than cats kept indoors. Some diseases are specific to cats—others can afflict a wide variety of species, including people.
Find American Bird Conservancy’s tips for catios, strollers, leashes, and backpacks to let indoor cats explore outside while safely contained.
TNR programs have been shown to fail to reduce feral cat populations while simultaneously maintaining feral cats on the landscape, where they contribute to wildlife and public health risks.
Find fact sheets, sample ordinances, essays, and scientific literature about the impacts of outdoor cats on wild birds, and resources for taking action in your community, from American Bird Conservancy.
Learn what you can do to address feral and outdoor cats in your community with American Bird Conservancy’s Cats Indoors Advocacy Toolkit.
Team
Meet the Cats Indoors Team
Our Cats Indoors program provides resources for the public and policymakers to learn about the benefits to cats, birds, and human health when cats are kept indoors. We promote responsible pet ownership and support policies that make ecosystems safer.
Join the flock! Your donation helps conserve the habitats that birds need to survive and thrive.
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