Dear LPG,

In our borough of Lewisham, which encompasses Catford, I suppose it is only expected that there would be quite a large population of furry creatures, and though dogs are significantly more popular, I took a look on the internet to find that, while some households favour hamsters, guinea pigs and lizards as a pet, over a quarter of the homes in the UK have at least one feline resident; and I am betting that most cats have older owners. 

We all know that they prefer to come and go as they like although where I live the twilight barking that is mentioned in the book ‘101 Dalmatians ‘is not the only noise to be heard as the nights draw in.  Whether it is ten ‘o’clock on a June evening or 6 o’clock in November, as soon as the darkness starts to set in, the weird calling rituals that their human owners offer can be heard as my neighbours and I try to get our cats in before the night starts.  For those really interested, leaving a back door window open for a while as the daylight fades is a perfect way to learn all the odd names of the neighbouring cats if you really want to.

But there are the times when they decide not to answer the call and they get left out all night.  For some it happens more and more until they stop bothering to make that second call and my question is how dangerous is it out there for them.  I know many owners believe that they can look after themselves, but I also know that I would not forgive myself if anything happened to my moggy. 

On the few occasions that she does not come back, I worry about the foxes and cars that she might get in the way of most, and find myself at the back door in the early hours repeating my dusk cat-calling rituals and would like to say sorry publically if I wake anyone as the noise always seems twice as loud at that time, but she is usually at the door waiting to come in by then. 

We have arrived at Guy Fawkes night again and, although not as many people opt to have them in their back gardens these days, the few that do have a firework party seem to acquire ones which get louder each year.

I know that someone makes the plea each year and wanted to get mine in early.  So no matter what sort of pet you have please remember to try your best to keep them in tonight and, if you don’t usually, lock the cat flap.

PK, Forest Hill

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