Our beautiful, wonderful 10yo cat Rascal passed away from a heart attack in February (he had some heart issues we've known about for some time!) He was honestly the best cat I've ever known. He loved everyone, was so sweet to the kids, the neighbors, even the MAILMAN loved him. He was the best. We "inherited" him from my brother who has two young kids and lives in an apartment. Rascal had always lived outside which was a change for me. I had cats as a kid growing up but they were mainly inside cats. DH is allergic to cats so we offered to take Rascal, knowing we needed to keep him outside both for DHs sake and also to make Rascal happy. Our kids adored him but also he kept our area free from rats. And now the rats have come back.
DH wants another cat. Another OUTDOOR cat. He said he basically wants an "employee". We have LOTS of wild animals around us. Everything from large mammals to birds to lizards and snakes. We love it. We DON'T want to use bait boxes. Rodents have proliferated in this area. Even our neighbors are asking us if we'll get another cat. Rascal didn't kill too many rats but he must have worked as a deterrent as everyone around us is seeing the rats emboldened.
I am very conflicted about this. I consented to Rascal living outside because that was all he had ever known. I hated that he wasn't allowed in the house. Although I completely understand why DH doesn't want to have terrible allergies, I also wanted him to have all that love and coziness inside!
What do you guys think about an "outside" cat? Our friend actually owns a farm and the farm cat (Maine Coon) had kittens. DH wants to raise the kitten here in our yard! Our yard is wild. The rats are huge so there is THAT already. But we also have had bobcats and coyotes spotted in our backyard, not to mention red tailed hawks and large owls that prowl the ravine behind our place. I also don't want to have to not allow the cat into the house.
DH will not budge on having the cat in the house. It may not come in the house! I thought maybe we could retrofit our dusty, stuffed garage to be my office? Then I can work in the garage and "be" with the cat for several hours a day. But my garage is not insulated and it is very dusty and uncomfortable. Our climate is super mild though. Maybe I could make it work?
What would you think of an outdoor cat that has a cozy "office" type of dwelling but mostly lives outside in such a "rough" neighborhood? Is this inhumane? (I mean, I'm asking this while acknowledging that the cat's main job will be to rid of us other animals--there's no small irony in this!)
I think a rescue cat would be better suited than a kitten. But even then I'm not sure I feel ok about it. And even if I do on a cognitive level I'm not sure my heart can take it? Every day I feel like I should have spent more time with my amazing cat Rascal and I still miss him every day.
Would love all your thoughts.