Why do they do that?

[smg680]

I live by a very busy road, and I've seen many animals become one with it over the years. It's always very sad to see animals get hit by cars, but why would they want to be so close to the road?

Teeny, one of the cats from my dad's garage, and the mother of Sassy, Pretty Kitty, and Skitty, has been seen going up to the road many times. We think she lives under the tree that's there, but she also walks up to the road with me when I go to our mailbox. I tell her, along with any other kitties that come with me, that this road, or any road, is not a good place for a kitty to be. I always say "That's as far as you go!" when I get close to the mailbox, and the cats do stay back, but I know that can only work so much.

How can I keep the outside kitties safe? Some of the cats don't go in the front, but I've had to have words with others when they walk up with me.

[hazelrunpack]

Sadly, there's just no way you can keep an outdoor cat safe without confining it. Some animals are naturally cautious about roads, or get frightened by traffic and learn to avoid it, but there will always be the chance that they'll be hit. The only way to be 100% sure they don't is to bring them indoors.

Why would animals be close to the road? Sometimes they're trying to cross it; sometimes they're using the shoulder as an easier place to walk going from one area to another; if they're being chased by predators, they may dart out without checking for traffic; sometimes they're attracted by the carcasses of other animals that were hit by cars. Sadly, there are lots of reasons for them to wander into danger.