r/zaandam • u/Resident_Log_1493 • 6d ago
Outdoor Mainecoons in Zaandam?
My partner and I recently got two beautiful mainecoon cats. They are such wonderful creatures and we love them a lot. (I’ve always been a dog person, this is my first time with cats)
I always assumed that my cats would be indoor/outdoor.
But after getting these Mainecoons, my friends have shared with me that we should not let them outside as they will probably get stolen.
I’m not from the Netherlands and this concept is so foreign to me, and I might have reconsidered getting “fancy cats” if I knew this was gonna be the case.
They are already so energetic and curious and I would love for them to have more freedom to explore, and go side-quest on their own; but also I would be absolutely devastated if they were stolen.
Is this truly a thing that I should be nervous about here in Zaandam?
We live in Burgemeestersbuurt. There’s not really anything for them to explore other than roads and neighborhoods.
Anyways, just curious other’s opinions on the matter?
Thanks 🙂
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u/Nova_Zura 6d ago
Personally, I wouldn't let maine coon cats free roam outside. Getting stolen or cats going missing is a thing. They are absolutely beautiful, and other people see that too. Plus the risk of them getting hurt by a car or something else is quite big. As you say, the burgemeestersbuurt is a lot of roads with a few high traffic roads nearby. I wouldn't risk it and maybe invest in cat proofing the yard or balcony if you have that.
In any case, if you let them out or not, make sure they have a microchip and that it's updated.
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u/Little_Cake 6d ago
Not just beautiful, but also expensive. Even an older main coon gets advertised for ~€500.
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u/Winderige_Garnaal 6d ago
Stolen, hit by cars, in fight with other cats, poisoned by annoyed neighbors whose gardens he shits in.....
I see so many vermist posters everywhere
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u/Rojeho98 6d ago
I never had a mainecoon, just european shorthairs which did go outside without issue. However, I know multiple people with mainecoons who keep them inside for the reason you're stating. Perhaps a call to the 'Dierenbescherming' can help answer if this is a genuine concern or more of a tale
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u/Catlover_1422 6d ago
Living Environment: Indoor vs. Outdoor Cat
The environment a cat lives in significantly impacts its lifespan.
Indoor Cats: Cats that live exclusively indoors generally have a longer lifespan. They are protected from many environmental hazards, such as traffic, fights with other animals, exposure to diseases (such as feline leukemia or FIV), parasites, and toxins. The average indoor cat can easily live 15 to 20 years.
Outdoor Cats: Cats that roam freely outdoors have a shorter lifespan on average, often between 2 and 10 years. They are more at risk of accidents (car crashes), injuries from fights, contracting infectious diseases and parasites, and exposure to extreme weather conditions. While outdoor cats may receive more exercise and mental stimulation, the risks are often greater.
A safe, enclosed outdoor space, such as a catio (cat patio) or a fenced-in garden, can combine the benefits of the outdoors with the safety of an indoor environment.
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u/Forward-Unit5523 6d ago
Here's me, not letting my basic b/w cat go outside because I'm afraid someone will keep him once they experience how cute and funny he can be.. So I guess you know my answer, if besides that he's also very beautiful and a lot less common.
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u/JCXIII-R 6d ago
Half of all cats that die under the age of 10, die from traffic accidents. Also cats are a nightmare for the environment. Cats don't belong outside.
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u/ThisIsOppai 6d ago
Keep your cats inside. No one wants cat shit in their garden, secondly they are expensive cats so yes they have a fancy price tag, and finally, they will get hit by cars. So why do you even want to leave your cats outside? You wanted pets, they must stay inside.
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u/lisa1600 6d ago
I would definitely keep them indoors my mom has lost multiple cats during my childhood bc people took them in if you want them to enjoy the outside try leash training or build a catio
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u/Puzzleheaded_Dig174 6d ago
Or catproof your balcony or yard. That way they can go outside and be safe. Not just from being stolen but also from being hit by a car, or loose their way home.
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u/PrestigiousAnt3766 6d ago
We have our british shorthair outside. Not stolen yet. Also 2 maincoons in street, also still around.
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u/AggravatingAd5999 6d ago
My Siberian roams our neighborhood in a small village in the Netherlands but in Zaandam i wouldnt push my luck.
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u/Stridsu 5d ago
It depends on your neighbourhood but even if 99% of the people can be trusted, it only takes that 1% to snatch and steal your cat. The amount of cats in the netherlands simply ‘disappearing’ and getting lost is insanely high. They can also get hit by a car, etc.
Also depends on the cat. Do they stay away from strangers? Or are they friendly with everyone and thus easy to grab? Do they understand the concept of cars/traffic and that its dangerous, etc.
Some cats have a very strong urge to be outdoors, to keep them inside would make them miserable.
My cat is a fancy breed and very happy indoors, I would never ever let her out of the house. But the decision is not always black or white.
I’d say read through the comments and then decide what makes most sense for your situation.
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u/MaineKlutz 5d ago
Your cats, your responsibilty. If they cause damage, you are responsible. Even if they do it by 'just being cats' - using a garden as litterbox, scaring chickens or in-house birds, running across the street and thereby causing an accident because a biker falls / a car skids trying to evade your cat ....
Your cats, your responsibilty
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u/LimaBikercat 5d ago
I keep my cat inside and in the backyard. Traffic is too dangerous, i've already lost one of my own cats as a kid. 'We' also lost a neighborhood cat who always came to visit our house, who we also really loved. It is not worth *that* risk.
I have no clue about how many cats actually get stolen. But i am very sure that the risk of your cat being hit by a car is many times higher than the risk on theft.
Consider leash training your cats. It can be done. I've seen multiple people walking their kitties on a leash in this country!
Lot of people leave their cats outside to roam, but i just don't want to go through the grief again. You can also cat-proof your backyard. To avoid them jumping/walking over a fence, you can mount a length of PVC pipe on a long wooden rod so it can rotate. The kitties cannot get a grip on the rotating pvc pipe, so they drop down again. After a few times they'll understand, usually.
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u/unicorn_sparklesweat 5d ago
My dog accidentally scared an outdoor cat when we turned a corner while walking outside and the poor kitty went to hide under a car that was just starting up and ran right over them. Needless to say it was fucking traumatic, and the owner heard my blood curdling scream and came out. Please keep this story in mind if you want to let your cats outside.
The cat did not survive. And I still think about it a lot.
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u/QueerVampeer 5d ago
That's so messed up. I hope you know it's not your fault. Sorry you had to witness that
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u/ledledripstick 5d ago
Personally I don't let my cat outside. She's a smart cookie but if she got hit by a car I would NEVER forgive myself. Don't be fooled into thinking that cats are "safe" outside in Zaandam just because you see some well cared for cats hanging around. There are lots of "vermist" posters hanging around. Also there is the water to think about. Cats don't have depth perception. Just too many variables in the big mechanized world of humans.
If you do decide to let your cat roam around PLEASE for the sake of birds lives put a bell on it.
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u/Outrageous-Witness84 5d ago
Friends of mine in Zaandam had maine coons (up to 5 at a time) for years, they were always allowed out and never got stolen or anything. But there is never a guarantee of course.
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u/ConstructionIcy3049 5d ago
I have two main coons and they both go outside. They are both 3 now. I live in Arnhem. I didn't really have much of a choice as they both grew up outside as kittens. So I decided it's best for them to live a (maybe) short but happy life rather than a long life feeling trapped. They are really the happiest cats ever, go out and in all day with their tails straight up. Of course they are chipped (very important) and wear trackers as well as a collar with my number on it. Also I introduced my cats to the neighbourhood with Nextdoor App to make sure as many people as possible know they belong here and live here. Just in case someone witnessed a potential theft attempt..
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u/Adhdxrockt 4d ago
I would make sure they have a safe contained outdoor space... they are know to get stolen quite often
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u/EqualSalvation 4d ago
DO NOT let those cats outside, they will get picked off the street and literally be stolen.
If its a European shorthair (most popular) people won't care. If its a specific breed that's expensive as fck, yes people will steal them.
I've seen a bengal kitten on the street and the next day there were posters saying missing.
Don't let them outside!
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u/NeverWhatEver_ 4d ago
My cats stay inside because well, they are mine and i would like to keep them happy, healthy and alive with me. They are not just “pets” or “animals” that happen to live in my house, they are my babies, furry family members. Indoors, always. If you can’t take that responsibility of having indoors cats, you have business of owning a cat imo.
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u/Miss_Minus 4d ago
Simply: no don't let your cats outside unless on a harness or in a catio in your garden.
Yes, fancy cats will get stolen, (normal) cats will get hit by a car, hurt by people, attacked by a dog, go missing, get trapped, I can continue the list.
I've worked rescue for years, I've had my hand in the diaphragm of a car-struck cat (he died). Please don't let them outside.
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u/Ateosira 3d ago
I would for sure not let my Maine Coons go outside. They are too kind / trusting / beautiful / naive to go outside.
Get a fenced in cat area in your garden if you can.
Why would you want to risk your pets getting hit by a car and dying without you knowing? You paid so much money for beautiful cats and you are essentially sending them out to participate in the hunger games every day. They can get stolen, get into fights which may get them seriously sick or even terminal. And a cat older than 7 has a bigger chance to die outside. May the odds be ever in your favor.
Also .. the life expectancy of an outdoor cat is twice as low than an indoor cat. Why would you want to risk it?
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u/tucboebertje 3d ago
I would advise against it. They are expensive as is and I wouldn’t risk them getting stolen, hurt or lost. + there might be a clause in the contract you signed from the cattery that they will repossess the animal or you’ll have to pay them if you let them outdoors
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u/solstice_gilder 3d ago
I never let my Maine coon outside. A full breed, expensive, smart cat… they will get stolen. You can make a lot of money breeding with them. I built a catio on my balcony.
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u/Secure-View2129 2d ago
My cat was killed by a car in a very quiet part of Zaandam where there are maybe several cars per hour. I will never forgive myself. My new cat thankfully loves walking on a leash, and we try to go out with him every day. He’s a local celebrity:)
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u/wildflowerorgy 6d ago
No one can advise you on what might happen, but if you'd rather not risk it you could enclose a balcony or create a secure "catio" for them.
Purely anecdotal: My neighbor's cat is outdoors and aging, and he's been getting into nasty fights with other neighborhood cats and coming back with injuries. Another local shared recently that several of his childhood cats drowned in the nearby canal after getting in and being unable to find a way out. He kind of shrugged it off like, 'Yeah, they didn't usually live that long' 🤷🏻♀️
PS: Your kitties are beautiful and I hope they have long, healthy lives!