© 2025 Alley Cat Allies. All rights reserved. 32 Alley Cat Allies Under some circumstances, decisions about returning sick or injured community cats outdoors can only be made on a highly individual basis. These circumstances include: • Cats who had to have a limb amputated • Cats who are blind • Cats with severe, debilitating arthritis • Cats who had all their teeth removed as a treatment for stomatitis • Cats who were declawed for any reason In some cases, community cats with these conditions may be able to thrive outdoors with a lot of care and highly regular monitoring. In others, you may find they can adjust to being indoors without constant confinement, or in an indoor/outdoor catio setup. The decision you make depends entirely on whether you believe the cat can have a high quality of life. And, they are highly circumstantial and personal. Take a hard look at the cat as an individual, what you can provide as a caregiver, and the cat’s environment to determine what is best for that cat. But the bottom line is: You cannot keep any cat confined in a small space for an unlimited period of time. As a community cat advocate, it’s always wise to plan ahead for how you’ll pay for veterinary bills, including any beyond the usual spay or neuter, vaccination, and eartip. See our information on potentially negotiating a unique, affordable treatment plan with a veterinarian on page 12. We have more tips on finding and developing financial resources for cat care at alleycat.org/Economy. COMMUNITY CAT Virginia Help funding needed care
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