Advice needed taking my cats to my local park

[positronic]

Advice needed, I want to take my cats to my quiet local park. I'll drive them there in carriers, find a nice peaceful spot in the park and let them out on the lead. I have harnesses for them both and a double retracting leash for safety.

They will not be able to go beyond three meters of where I'm sitting in the park.

The dilemma I have is with dog owners releasing their dogs from their leash when they're prohibted from doing so under Southwark Park bylaws. I'm unsure what will happen to the dogs if they come over to the cats or vice versa.

[Loutwo]

My recommendation would be to visit the dog free section of any park, which contains seating in a fenced off area. A number of parks locally have this facility provided. I would personally choose a quieter park like Belair or Hilly Fields, rather than Dulwich or Peckham Rye.

Louisa.

[Frankito]

Very bad idea in my opinion as the opportunity for something to go wrong in such an exposed space is huge - even in the enclosed parts I have seen dogs jump the fence in hot pursuit of a squirrel..

Even in the quieter parks such as Belair the risk is still as high as there is a constant stream of dogs coming and going, mostly off-lead. Dogs can be predictably unpredictable when instinct kicks in..!

As an alternative, I wonder if you could find someone with a fully enclosed back garden who would be happy for the cats to roam around.

[siousxiesue]

positronic Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Advice needed, I want to take my cats to my quiet

> local park. I'll drive them there in carriers,

> find a nice peaceful spot in the park and let them

> out on the lead. I have harnesses for them both

> and a double retracting leash for safety.

> They will not be able to go beyond three meters of

> where I'm sitting in the park.

> The dilemma I have is with dog owners releasing

> their dogs from their leash when they're prohibted

> from doing so under Southwark Park bylaws. I'm

> unsure what will happen to the dogs if they come

> over to the cats or vice versa.

I can't say I'd recommend doing this, but if you do maybe 2 adults would be safer. For any unexpected event. But every instinct of mine is screaming no, tbh!

[KidKruger]

Crazy idea.

Putting cats in massive danger.

If a lurcher / greyhound / hunting breed is off lead and sees the cats it could be bad news.

Probably some other breeds too. Dogs don?t read signs, especially when chasing cats !

Regardless of what safe ?area? you think you?re in.

[Rosetta]

Terrible idea unless they were in a fenced enclosure too high for a dog to jump. The fence circling the arboretum in Peckham Rye is too low.

[Angelina]

The secret garden in Brockwell Park has gates and is dog free (it's up by the paddling pool just past the greenhouses)

Please read the article - it talks about the effect on cats of being on leads.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/13/cat-lead-trend-causing-pets-distress-rspca-warns/

[KidKruger]

...also, I'm not convinced 'No Dogs' means 'Cats, Llamas, Rhinoceros, Horses and Goats allowed'.

This has to be a wind-up thread.

[edcam]

Not a good idea. If they're "indoor cats" you should probably keep it that way, although I'm not convinced that's a good idea for their wellbeing. Preferably, put in a cat flap and train them to use it.

[cactus]

Mmmmm 'a double retracting leash' I think the OP is trying to have some fun on here.

[Blah Blah]

Can't be a serious post surely? What genuine cat owner would ever take their cats to a public park on a leash? Very bad idea though if serious. Cats are not dogs and become stressed out by unfamiliar environments.

[KalamityKel]

I think the main question to be asked here is WHY?!

What is the purpose of taking them to a park?

[fishbiscuits]

I hear Wetherspoons don't allow dogs, so that could be a potential safe space. Perhaps your feline friends could sign the petition.

But beware of the cat-ripper, the killer clowns, and the ever-present danger of being crushed and devalued.

[Sue]

:)) :)) :))

[SpringTime]

You could always take them to the Middle East - that's where they come from after all.

[peckham_ryu]

Cats are nocturnal, so just take them at midnight when all good dogs are fast asleep.

[Gaynor Hill]

Not a good Idea cats hate unfamiliar places they really will be stressed out there very territorial animals

I understand your feelings behind this but honestly it will upset them

[tiddles]

Do not do it!!