Free-roaming domestic cats kill billions of birds and small mammals annually while outdoor life also exposes cats to significant welfare risks.
The free-roaming cat dilemma involves a genuine conflict between cat welfare, wildlife welfare, and conservation. Outdoor cats face traffic, predators, disease, and weather that significantly shorten their lives. Indoor cats with adequate enrichment live longer and safer lives. Catios and leash walking provide outdoor experiences without wildlife harm, resolving the apparent conflict.