To the editor:

We were saddened to read about the cat disappearances in the neighborhood near 26th Street and Lawrence Avenue and extend our sympathy to the families who have lost cats; we know how heartbreaking it can be. We previously lived in California near a canyon and lost three cats over the years, probably to coyotes or owls. After losing the last one, we searched for weeks and visited the pound, all to no avail.

That experience strengthened our resolve to keep our cats indoors all the time. It can be a struggle if a cat is accustomed to going out, but they get used to it eventually. They need a sturdy sissal scratching post and regular attention and playtime with a friend cat or human. Brushing helps to eliminate shedding.

As Amy Tramill of the Lawrence Humane Society mentioned in her excellent Journal-World article on June 15, most shelters require that cats be kept indoors as part of their adoption contract. It is much safer for the cat, and they won’t pick up fleas and parasites that could be transmitted to the family. It also prevents them from killing wildlife such as rabbits and songbirds (large numbers of which are lost yearly due to hunting by domestic cats).

It’s also extremely important to get pets neutered or spayed. They are healthier and more content, and even more importantly, this reduces the tragic number of unwanted animals that are impounded and euthanized.

Walter and Nancy Clark,

Lawrence