Dear LPG, 

It is Bonfire night again and, even though there seem to be less fireworks around these days, I would like to repeat my reminder that it is worth keeping your pets in the house if you can today. 

Why is obvious, but how can be just a bit more difficult to master…

I have two cats and, with all the foxes and other cats around these days, I try to get them to come home during the nights, but that is not always easy.  I have a cat flap but even with the technology of magnets and electronic tagging that they use, I would rather let them go out when they like but when it comes to them coming home, I draw the line at finding a strange one around having got through the flap, and it does happen. 

Sometimes they are out there waiting for me to let them back in, but on far too many other occasions they are not.  I have tried standing at the door quite late at night shouting out their names and leaving the door open for long periods, but there is something worrying about a square of darkness with who knows what beyond where there is no separation between you and the elements and, let’s face it, it is getting quite cold out there as the winter sets in.   There are also those days when you can see them yards away, but if you get too close they just run away at a speed that I can never match, especially at my age.

We all know that when in doubt, the internet is the place to go for answers to such questions, so I have tried to find a few pointers.  

I have found a video about giving them treats, but the problem is that I do that quite a few times during the day already.     I have also found some information about how to get your cat to love you more, but while I think that I am a good friend to both my cats they are not silly.  I am of the opinion that their free run of the house is part of why they love me so much.  Getting them to do what I want them to do seems to be a long way off yet.  

So, this year, as usual I will trap them in the house in the early afternoon to make sure that they are safe, but next year I hope to be able to have mastered the art of getting them to come when I call. 

Can I ask any readers who have any other solutions to pass them on via the pages of this site?

 PC, Forest Hill

PC shares what she has found…

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