Guelph Humane Society reports ‘significant increase’ of cats found dead outdoors

The Guelph Humane Society is sending out a message of caution to all pet owners after six cats have been found dead outdoors in just the past two weeks.

The agency said that the number of deceased cats marks “a significant increase over last year.”

It said there are multiple factors for deaths like that, including being hit by a vehicle, a wildlife encounter or disease transmission, sickness, and extreme weather.

But the statement reads “the common factor is that the incidents occurred while cats were roaming alone outside.”

The GHS recommends some alternatives to free roaming, including:

• Keeping cats active indoors with climbing structures, scratching posts, window perches, and interactive toys
• Use a leash and harness on your cat and train them to allow supervised outdoor time
• Installing secure outdoor enclosures, often called catios, for fresh air outings without risk
• Ensuring your cats are microchipped and wear visible identification in case they escape

GHS’s Senior Manager, Community Services, Katherine Leonard said “keeping cats indoors is the single most effective way to protect them from preventable injury or death.”

Their statement went on to say “beyond individual safety, keeping cats indoors also supports local wildlife conservation. Humane Canada notes that free-roaming domestic cats can have a substantial impact on songbird and small mammal populations.”