The AVMA encourages veterinarians to educate clients and the public about the dangers associated with allowing cats free-roam access to the outdoors.

Free-roaming cats may be exposed to injury, suffering, and death from vehicles; attacks from other animals; human cruelty; poisons; and traps. Additionally, these cats are more likely to be exposed to feline-specific and zoonotic diseases, and will prey on and can negatively impact native wildlife populations.