When Love Means Keeping Them Close

Last week, while driving home after my workout, I saw something that stopped me cold. A small kitten was lying by the side of the road, motionless, its tiny chest barely rising and falling. I pulled over, shaken. I didn’t know who the kitten belonged to or if anyone was looking for it.

But I did know—without question—that it shouldn’t have been out there alone.

The image clings to me like a quiet ache I can’t seem to shake. He had a collar, and I wonder how anyone realized he was missing. Why wasn’t someone—anyone—there to keep that cutie safe? I don’t have the answers.

Cars aren’t something a cat can outsmart.

No matter how sharp their instincts are, they’re no match for a world moving this fast. A kitten doesn’t stand a chance against a speeding car. It’s not fair to expect them to survive something so far outside their natural world. And the truth is, they usually don’t get a second chance. One wrong step, one distracted driver, and everything changes.

As a devoted cat grandma to indoor cats Luna, Moon Pie, and Mittens, I understand their urge to be free and run around. I’ve watched them joyfully sunbathe, chase bugs, and nap on the window ledge. But over time, I’ve realized that freedom without safety isn’t kindness—it’s carelessness. We wouldn’t let young children wander busy streets just because they’re curious, and we don’t tell our dogs to explore and check in later. So why do so many pet owners still make that exception for cats?

And the risks? They’re real. Outdoor cats face cars, toxic chemicals, other animals, harsh weather, fleas, diseases, and even cruel humans. In some places, they’re also part of a heartbreaking cycle—chased away, trapped, or worse, simply because no one knows if they’re owned, feral, or forgotten.

Rethinking How We Care

I’m not writing this to shame anyone. I’m writing it because that kitten’s still face is burned into my heart, and I can’t keep pretending this is okay.

We all love our beloved cats—truly. However, many people have inherited outdated ideas about their needs. The truth is that cats deserve the same protection we instinctively give dogs. They aren’t less worthy of safety just because they’re quiet, adaptable, or used to being ignored.

There are many ways to enrich a cat’s life without letting it face danger alone. It just takes a shift in perspective. Let’s start by asking ourselves what real love looks like for a pet who depends on us entirely. Is it giving them more space or offering them safety, comfort, and care?

A Call to Protect What We Love

The image of that kitten on the side of the road hasn’t left me. It whispers whenever I see another cat slip between fence posts or sunbathe on a driveway. I think of how easily something could go wrong—and how easily it could be prevented.

Sharing this story is my way of hoping someone out there will pause and think twice the next time they open the door. I know it’s not always easy to change habits or challenge what’s “normal,” but I also know how powerful awareness can be.

Our animals trust us. They rely on us not just for food and affection, but for protection. And if we say we love them—really love them—then it’s time we prove it by giving them a safer, more secure life.

Sometimes, it’s as simple as keeping them indoors. It may take some time, patience, and a minor adjustment—for both of you—but it’s worth it.

Or it might mean creating a small, safe spot outside where they can feel the sun on their fur and watch the world go by without being in danger.

These might seem like small choices—but they aren’t. They matter. They reflect who we are and what we value. Because every time we choose to protect them, we’re choosing love. And when we lead with that kind of care, we help shape the community we all hope for—one where no animal is forgotten, and none are left to fend for themselves.

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