To the Publisher:
Dusty, the California “cat burglar” that has become famous for stealing more than 600 items from neighbors’ yards [see photo], may be the cutest “criminal” alive, but I encourage readers to keep their kitties out of trouble by keeping them indoors and allowing them outdoors only on a leash or in a fenced-in area, under supervision.
While Dusty’s neighbors seem to adore him and his kleptomaniac tendencies, not everyone is as gracious toward felines who frequent their property. Some cats have even been shot or poisoned by people who don’t want them in their yards or who get their kicks from abusing animals.
Other cats that are allowed to roam have become the victims of thieves themselves—stolen by dogfighters who use them as bait, or by “bunchers” who sell them to laboratories. And even the craftiest feline is defenseless against traffic and extreme weather.
For tips on keeping even the cleverest cat content indoors, visit www.PETA.org.
Lindsay Pollard-Post
The PETA Foundation
Norfolk, Va.
