This post is part of a series, sharing stories from Michigan Audubon staff, volunteers, supporters, and more on what “Keep Cats Indoors” means to them. You can read the Michigan Audubon position statement on this important issue impacting bird conservation here. This story features Michigan Audubon Operations Manager Elizabeth Throckmorton.
Handsome sporting a new harness during a recent walk. Photo by Elizabeth Throckmorton
For my cat, Handsome, who loves to go outside, it’s a constant effort to block him from dashing out when I open the door. Although I want him to be able to experience the fresh air, warm sun rays, and soft earth, I also want him to be my companion for many years to come and I want the resident wildlife on my property to be safe from unnecessary harm. The damage is especially realized by birds, whose populations are suffering immensely from the overpopulation of freely roaming cats. In addition, as I’m working toward a certification in feline behavior consulting, I’ve come across cases where free-roaming outdoor cats have caused so much stress for other indoor cats that serious behavior problems ensue, ultimately leading to relinquishments back to the shelter. It’s a heartbreaking side effect of letting cats freely roam outdoors that makes my stance an easy one to take.
So for my situation, I’ve decided to allow Handsome access to the outdoors in a restrained manner — that is, on a harness and leash! For me, this provides the perfect balance between allowing those experiences for him while avoiding the numerous negative consequences of allowing him to freely roam outside.
Handsome has acclimated well to the pace of the family walks. Photo by Elizabeth Throckmorton
At first, I knew it would be a challenge getting him to walk at the same pace as us and the dogs while on our leashed walks. And initially, walking quickly made him nervous, since the domestic cat experiences the natural world as both a predator and prey species and is thus vulnerable to danger if not cautious enough. But finally, we had completed our first looped walk, albeit slowly and not without a fair amount of gentle prodding to keep him moving forward.
About three weeks later and six walks in, my boy is getting the hang of it. He’s keeping with our fast pace and often stops along the way to deposit pheromones onto his usual landmarks by rubbing his face on fallen branches or scratching his few select logs.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long for Handsome to adjust to this new normal of joining us on leisurely walks through the woods. I plan to incorporate more ways of providing safe outdoor enrichment for both of my cats, including the creation of an inexpensive, enclosed outdoor structure (aka, a “catio”). Most importantly, I’m proud to be a part of the solution in helping cats and wildlife to coexist peacefully in safe, enriching, and humane ways.
by Elizabeth Throckmorton, Michigan Audubon operations manager
Born and raised in northern Michigan, Liz’s passion for animals and nature led her to the Fisheries and Wildlife program at Michigan State University, where she completed her B.S. and M.S. degrees. From there, she has held a variety of positions related to conservation and administration, including assisting in the planning of the largest ornithology conference in North America in 2017 and contributing to a diversity of research projects and publications involving fish, small mammals, mollusks, and birds. With her love of animals, nature, and connecting with people, she is so pleased to be a part of the team at Michigan Audubon. Her other passions in life include training dogs at the local humane society, caring for her rescued animals (dogs, cats, and roosters), learning about companion animal behavior, and teaching people about the magnificence of her favorite bird, the American Crow.
Further Reading and Additional Resources
American Bird Conservancy’s Solutions for Pet Cats
Learn about catios and outdoor enclosures, harnesses, indoor enrichment, anti-predation devices, and more.
Researchers Identify Five Types of Cat Owners
Are you a conscientious caretaker, concerned protector, tolerant guardian, laissez-faire landlord, or a freedom defender?
Take the Michigan Audubon pledge to Keep Cats Indoors.
Share Your Story
If you would like us to share your story on what “Keep Cats Indoors” means to you, please reach out to Communications & Marketing Coordinator Molly Keenan at mkeenan@michiganaudubon.org for more details.