Indoor Only Policy

At Strong Hearts Sanctuary, the wellbeing and safety of our cats are our top priorities. We look for adopters willing and able to provide our cats with a safe and enriching environment. Therefore, we maintain a strict indoor only policy, with the exception of purpose-built outdoor cat enclosures.

Why we are indoor only

There are numerous reasons to keep your cat indoors, and the list provided below highlights just a few of the most common and significant ones.

Safety: Outdoor cats are exposed to dangers such as traffic accidents, diseases from other animals, and attacks by other larger predators.
Health: Outdoor cats are at a higher risk of injuries, infections, and parasites. Things they would not be exposed to if they did not go outside.
Fighting: Outdoor cats often get into territorial disputes and fights with other cats, leading to injuries.
Lost and stolen: Cats can easily become lost or stolen when outdoors.
Protection of Australia's native animals: Domesticated cats still kill an estimated 546 million animals in Australia every year. An estimated 71% of all pet cats in Australia are able to roam – of this figure, 78% of roaming cats hunt. Most animals – an estimated 85% – killed by pet cats are not brought home.
Curfews: In Victoria, at least 38 local governments have implemented either dusk-to-dawn or 24-hour cat containment policies. So why let them outside at all?

Cats are incredibly adaptable creatures and can lead fulfilling lives indoors when provided with the right environment and stimulation. While it might seem like cats need outdoor access, there is endless evidence to suggest that keeping them indoors is essential for their health and safety.

"Supervising" your cat while its outside

While some cat owners may attempt to supervise their cats outdoors, it's important to acknowledge that cats are incredibly agile and can easily outmanoeuvre even the most attentive human supervisors. Here are some reasons why we believe simply "supervising" a cat while it's outside is not sufficient:

Cats are remarkably fast and can quickly dart away from their owners, making it challenging to react in time to prevent potential dangers.
Cats are natural climbers and can scale trees, fences, and other structures with ease, potentially putting themselves in high-risk situations.
Cats have a strong instinct to explore their surroundings, and their curiosity can lead them into unexpected and potentially hazardous situations.
Unforeseen events like loud noises, sudden movements, or the presence of other animals can startle a cat, causing them to react unpredictably and potentially run into danger.
Even the most vigilant cat owners cannot control all the variables and potential dangers in an outdoor environment, such as traffic or encounters with aggressive wildlife.

Given these challenges, we insist that our adopters provide indoor cats with a safe and enriched environment that satisfies their need for mental and physical stimulation, rather than attempting to supervise outdoor excursions (unless it is on a harness or within a purpose-built cat enclosure). This approach ensures the cat's safety while also minimising the potential risks associated with outdoor access.

"I have very high fences"

Cats are known for their jumping abilities, and the height of a fence needed to prevent a cat from jumping over it can vary depending on the individual cat's athleticism and motivation. A typical minimum height for a cat-proof fence is at least 6 feet (approximately 1.8 meters). This height should deter most (but certainly not all) cats from attempting to jump over the fence. This assumes that there are no nearby trees, structures, or objects that a cat could use as a launching point to jump over the fence. Additionally, cats are very skilled climbers and can easily jump and climb over the tallest of fences.

The benefits of an indoor lifestyle

Outdoor cats face numerous dangers, including traffic accidents, exposure to diseases from other animals, and attacks by predators. By keeping our cats indoors, we protect them from these risks, ensuring their safety. Indoor cats are less likely to get into fights with other cats or native wildlife or cause damage to neighbours' property, fostering better community relations. On average indoor only cats live on average 10 years longer than free-range cats.

Providing enrichment for indoor cats

There are numerous ways to provide enrichment and stimulation for indoor cats:

Scratching posts: Scratching posts help cats satisfy their natural instincts and keep their claws healthy.
Toys: Access to a variety of toys that keep them mentally and physically engaged.
Playtime: Regular playtime to stimulate your cat's mind and body. Interactive play sessions should be part of a daily routine.
Window perches: Cats love to observe the outside world. Create a cozy window perch for your cats to enjoy watching birds and other outdoor activities safely.
Bird feeders: Placed bird feeders outside our windows to provide your cat with a fascinating view of the natural world.