I'm in a small city in PA and have already lost two cats to something unknown outdoors. Might have been a person scooping them up to take home or worse. It worries me that there could be foul play, such as two young guys with a pit bull trained to kill cats, which was videotaped on the news here. Cruel intentions or just getting lost or hit by a car are not worth letting it happen.

@OldGoat43 Even in my quiet neighborhood, one of our neighbors had a cat that came home with a bullet wound. Some peopel are just cruel steaming piles of shit!

However, there is the argument that a cat livign a happy life may be better than a long unhappy one. We con't want to lose our cats either, but we do want them to be happy too. I guess we all do what we think is best.

I found out how. He had torn open the screen on the third floor window at a corner so it wouldn't show. Then he jumped thirty feet down to the garden, flying over the patio. He knew exactly where to do it in the dark and rainy night. Better than a flying squirrel.

@OldGoat43 What a little stinker!! I'm glad you figured it out, I'd have driven myself batty wondering. I'd also be a right mess if he'd ever managed to hurt himself taking that silly leap. You've got him 'locked' in now, yeah?

@synergy. Yes, darn cat fought me, pulled things off my desk. I had to subdue him by petting and scratching behind his ears, but he did scream "OUT" several times. He's sulking now off in a corner by the back door. If he sees me, he says OUT but not so loud. Just enough to hurt me. He chews on my fingers while purring (no blood loss).

I have a stubtailed cat myself =) His siblings had tails, as did his mother, but we picked him because the stub goes around like a helicopter blade when he's excited or chasing something - and it might be the cutest thing I've ever seen in my whole life. We named him Nebulous, so we could call him Nubs, but he goes by Tiny most of the time these days. I love that yours is a strong little guy, ours remains a bit of a runt =p

@synergy. Your cat sounds cute and much nicer than mine. Consider yourself lucky.

Thanks, I'll try it during the daylight hours and when it isn't raining, which seems to be his choice. Night time in the rain. He went out again three times and I never figure it out. Each time he came back to me soaking wet wanting to cuddle. Cute huh? He's very vocal and let's me know what he wants, but he's lovable and affectionate. Who can resist?

@OldGoat43 Very true. They are hard to resist when they are so cute. Are any of the screens ripped that he might be able to get through?

@Captain747ex. I'll check again in the morning. Thanks.

@OldGoat43 You're welcome. Also, is he capable of opening the doors himself? I've seen some videos of cats doing that. They are quite smart.

@Captain747ex . Yes, he ripped a corner of one on the third floor and I didn't notice it at night. He knew how to be discreet. He got on the outside window sill and jumped three floors to the grass over the patio at night in the rain. He's very determined.

@OldGoat43 Cats are good at being discreet and determined. They work at finding ways to not get caught again. They are very resourceful. At least he didn't hurt himself trying to get outside. Sounds like you have to keep an eye on him, he's good.

I had a cat that was always determined to get outside but he'd take the opportunity when your hands were full coming inside. He hardly ever got past me, but when he had to go live with my parents, they were no match for him. He got out all the time. I trained him too well. Not intentionally, of course. Hopefully your kitty stays safe.

There is one loose screen on the third floor back, but it's so high. I'll check it again. He's have to jump thirty feet and across a small patio onto the grass, in the dark and rainy nights. That's when he mostly disappears.

@OldGoat43 Maybe a hundred spy cameras through the house?

Yes, he's eight years old now, and getting more ornery all the time. However, he always is cuddly and loveable if he gets his way. Otherwise he is a curmudgeon. For instance, he wanted to sleep on my pillow. I said no but he wouldn't stop pushing for being on my pillow. When I pushed him away he pushed back. Finally I gave him my pillow and took another one for myself.

@OldGoat43 uP have an old male cat too. He has me wrapped around his paw.

I cannot keep him in, He is outside again, just after I wrote that story about him. I double checked every door and window. The house was just weatherized by the county and there are no holes anywhere. Yet, he is out again after I wrote about him.

Yes, the collar has a small bell that I cannot hear. He doesn't mind it either. He's a "chicken cat", meaning he's scared of other things and never goes near anybody or other animal. He mostly hides under my shed in the backyard when he's out there.

@OldGoat43 Maybe he needs a good hidey hole indoors? I mean he obviously has multiple levels - but perhaps nothing that reaches the level of being under a shed?

I'm thinking maybe the bottom of a closet... or a cat bed under a human bed?

I have one that prefers under my bed - one that loves to lie under the Christmas Tree in the cellar (don't ask it's set up year round). lol

And one that doesn't seem to feel the need to hide at all!

He was a farm cat who was outdoors whenever he wanted to be. He had four large dogs to guard him from coyotes and stuff. He doesn't hunt, he's mostly a scaredy cat. He just has the unnatural drive to be outdoors all the time. Thanks.

@OldGoat43 Oh with that back story I get it!

However I've had several cats who were formerly farm cats who were really happy being indoors. Never tried to run for the door on me? I'm not sure what makes some of them want out so badly?

They might have sensed my determination on the subject. My sister's cat never tried it when I was at the door - But every time she went out? Oh boy.

Could you build him a tiny catio attached to a window?
Or a simple outdoor catio?

I have a friend who did this for a cat who lived on the second story and the kitty was very happy to have an outdoor run.

I found him hiding inside a folding sofa bed in a vacant apartment that had been abandoned in the city. He was just a little kitten then and the vet said he was healthy on probably two months old. That was in 2010. He gets along fine with my other young kitten, Zippy.

@OldGoat43 That’s good he gets along with your other cat. But he really is an escape artist.