Fences, patios keep cats out of trouble

Keeping cats indoors is safer for the cats, life-saving for birds and less irritating to the neighbors.

You can keep your cat happier by providing safe access to the outdoors, such as with a cat door into a screened-in porch. You can also buy kits for portable outdoor pens, complete with tunnels for connecting the pens to the house.

Many cat lovers have put together some grand outdoor spaces, such as a two-story enclosure clinging to the side of the house with areas for climbing, sunbathing and hiding. These needn't be expensive, especially if you're a capable do-it-yourselfer.

Also consider cat-fencing, which runs along the top of a traditional fence and keeps your cats on your property. It won't protect the birds, but it will keep your cat out of your neighbors' yards.