Should you let your cats outside?

Debate has raged in recent years over whether it’s irresponsible to let pet cats outside. The conversation came home to Bangor this week, where at least 16 cats have been reported missing recently in the Fairmount neighborhood.

The high number of disappearances and the absence of evidence has some concerned a person is responsible, rather than a predator. Online commenters fear a sociopath is roaming the streets of Bangor or place the blame on a neighbor fed up with stray cats in his yard. Others think an “animal savior” might be kidnapping them over concerns about the dangers they face outside.

Whether human or animal is responsible (coyotes, fishers, birds of prey and a young bear are all suspects too), keeping cats inside is the surest option for protecting them from predators, accidents, parasites and disease . There are cases to be made for keeping outside cats, especially if they’re not socialized to be inside.

Outdoor cats kill a lot of birds . Estimates vary, but many sources say billions of them die in the United States from outdoor cats each year. They’ll also hunt amphibians and small mammals, and may bother your neighbors. One BDN commenter has called the number of cats loose in Fairmount an “environmental disaster.”

Rodent control is a common reason to have outdoor cats, especially in barns, on farms and at homesteads . If you have a barn cat who can’t come inside, experts have recommended making sure they have food and designated shelter where they live. Happy working cats are less likely to wander off.

Even people who keep their cats inside sometimes feel it’s natural for cats to roam outdoors instead of staying inside, where they can get bored, destructive and overweight.

With free range outdoors and more to explore, they’re also less likely to scratch , break things or eat your houseplants when they are inside.

But indoor cats often live two, three or four times longer than outdoor ones. To bridge the gap, the catio — a screened outdoor space just for cats — has been gaining popularity. Special collars reduce the number of birds cats can kill, too.

Other owners reduce the danger by walking their cats on leashes, if their pets allow it.

If your cat gets loose, posting a flier in your neighborhood will be more effective than using social media, said Joanne Greenlaw of Maine Lost Cat Recovery.

She’s been finding lost cats with the volunteer group since its founding 11 years ago, and said a few simple steps help the majority of callers.

Most lost cats either get spooked or wander out of their territory or get trapped in a neighbor’s barn or garage, Greenlaw said.

Indoor-outdoor and outdoor cats react differently when they get out. Indoor cats will likely be scared and hunker down; they probably won’t respond to your voice. Still, when checking a neighbor’s garage or outbuilding, it’s better to go by yourself because cats are good at hiding and might not come out for strangers.

For indoor cats, a game camera and a source of food is a good way to see if they’re still around, Greenlaw said. A humane trap baited with a trail of particularly fragrant food such as tuna or sardines is a good bet for indoor cats. Check the camera often to make sure the cat doesn’t hurt itself trying to escape the trap.

Putting out clothing or items from your house can help cats find the scent of your home again, according to Greenlaw.

Outdoor cats likely know where home is. Regardless, don’t give up hope too early, Greenlaw said. Maine Lost Cat Recovery has found cats after they were missing for two or three months. Repeating the steps will increase the chance of success.

“Most people are very surprised at just how long cats can survive,” she said.

While the group doesn’t judge and is happy to find both indoor and outdoor cats, it is undeniable that being outside shortens their lifespans, Greenlaw said. The group responds to a roughly even number of indoor and outdoor escapees.

Outdoor cats will fight less and cause less destruction if they are neutered. Maine has a low-cost neutering program for those who can’t afford it. “Help Fix ME” is currently waitlisted, but is available to people who qualify for other financial assistance programs.

If loose cats in your neighborhood are bothering you, humane societies recommend strategies such as ultrasonic noisemakers, motion-activated sprinklers and planting herbs cats don’t like the smell of, such as rosemary.

“I hope that the ‘somebody’ steps up and says something,” a BDN commenter said. “Hearts are being broken here. In the meantime … keep your cats inside.”