Conference misery::feline_v1

    Yes, I left a couple of windows open today - hope I have no extras
    or a couple less kids when I get home.  I have left windows open
    many times before, but never in this new house.  I have never
    had any problems with screens falling out.  Guess until you have
    a problem don't worry too much - make sure the screens can't be
    pushed out easily - maybe nail them from the outside.  I hope it
    doesn't rain and soak the guys - they would sit there and get
    very wet and not care!
    
    E.T.

    I usually worry about this too, especially since I am on
    the second floor on a REAL BUSY street in Nashua (Amherst St).
    So far - and this includes last summer - I haven't had any
    problem with them trying to scratch their way out.  Dazdee
    does have a hopeful look on his face though and sits there
    all day and night.  I think Little Whicket keeps him in line.
    If he was there all by himself, I think he would try to get out!
    
    Katie
    

My experience indicates you should worry.  Nail long nails into the frame
of the house around the screen on the outside and then bend the nails over
to "hug" the screen frame in place.  Sam had no problem getting the screen
out of one corner of the window and was missing for 14 hours.  I was
hysterical.  Also, I replaced the easy to break nylon mesh with METAL
mesh screening.  Just because the cat isn't trying now does not mean he/she
won't....we were in this house for 3 years before Sam got out.

    I agree..WORRY then you won't feel bad later if something happens
    when you don't.  All Corkie has to do is smell outdoor air and she
    wants to get out, and she's strictly indoor 'cept for the closed
    in patio.  My ex's cat Freddie would jump out of the second story
    window onto the ledge below and climb down.  They'll get out
    eventually, and screen doesn't keep them from getting the breeze.
    
    Pat
    

    Be sure to recheck the screens fairly often for being securely
    fastened, not susceptable to tearing, etc.  S&H have broad windowsills
    where they like to sun next to the screens, but these are on the
    first floor and neither has much interest in going outside.
    

    Clarification:  I do have normal Andersen Screens.  I live in a
    condo, so I really can't do any extra nailing.  The windows I talked
    about are on the second floor, but I would like to be able to open
    the first floor windows also.  All I'm saying is that by using the
    storm window, I do not give them full "cat-sized" access to the
    screen.

    Clarification #2:  Both cats are declawed.

>    Clarification #2:  Both cats are declawed.

So was Sam!  It didn't stop him!

    Thanks for the warning, I will definitly check the screens ect....
    I guess I thought that if they haven't gotten out by now, they
    never will.
    
    Katie
    

    WORRY!
    
    Last weekend I put the bedroom screen back in because of the warm
    weather.  Thru the winter I kept it out so I could feed the squirrels
    sunflower seed (I live at ground level).  Well... When I got home
    last night the screen was out!  Asia was okay THANK GOD, thank you,
    thank you, thank you!!!  She did go out because I saw muddy little
    paw prints everywhere.  But what a scare!  What if a dog chased
    her and she couldn't find her window back to safty OR what if the
    dog jumped in my apt after her!  Oh my!  Just thinking about it!
    Or what if she climbed up a tree and couldn't get back down!!!!
    So many things ran thru my mind...I even had a horrible nightmare
    last night.
    
    BUT, when I walked in the house last night she was at my feet like
    usual...After I had my heart attack I got down on my knees and thanked
    GOD for not taking her away from me.
    
    Beleive me worry now before it is too late and you are not worrying
    anymore but are crying.  I know how you feel - guilty about depriving
    her/him of fresh air.  Do you have windows that open on top with
    a screen?  That might be better to open the top instead.
    
    Linda

    I never had trouble with the girls getting *out* through the screen
    windows, BUT...
    
    Shortly after I moved in, the local big black barncat broke IN!!!
    Sulkitt, my silver abycat, was sitting in the windowsill, soakin'
    rays.  This big bruising black tomcat jumped up 10 FEET and knocked
    in the screen!!!  Poor Sulky was so traumatized that her bowels
    let go and she pooped on the floor under the window!  And she wouldn't
    talk to me for the rest of the afternoon...
    
    Rita
    

    I held off telling everyone about this, but this is the proper place.
    I always worry about Sy getting out-he is a very agressive cat.
    I have always left windows only about one inch open, I also leave
    a fan on (on a timer) for cool air.  One Saturday, about 2 months
    ago, Sy did escape.  He pushed a screen out, this particular window
    was open approx. 2 inches and I was home.  I was upstairs when I
    heard the screaming. Sy's voice carries very well.  He was fighting
    with a neighbors outdoor cat.  Jim happened to be here and ran out
    to get Sy.  I wasn't completely dressed, so I ran to get dressed.
    Jim grabbed Sy properly, behind the neck, and picked him up.  
    
    Now vision, A very pissed off cat, one that attacks people for no
    reason.  When Jim put his hand under Sy to support his, Sy wrapped
    himself around Jims hand and bit as hard as he could.  
    
    I ended up taking Jim to emergency first.  Hand swelled up to approx.
    3 times its size and he was home from work for 4 days.  They won't
    stich animal bites.  Then I took Sy to the Vet, he was bleeding
    from his back feet, I guess from the fight.  Both of them were on
    the same medicine for two weeks.  
    
    I plan on getting the screens redone with the strong metal and then
    nailing the screens shut.  
    
    I guess the moral is: Better have kitty a little warm then hurt.
    They will always find a way to stay cool in the house.
    
    Linda
    

    We have been living in our new house since last November and Winston
    spends most of his time on the window sill in my office.  His favorite
    thing to do is to stretch out to his full length up against the
    screen.  This puts his front paws up near the top of the window.
    
    One day we were enjoying the weather with a few friends when we
    heard a knock at the front door.  I opened the door to find my next
    door neighbor, frantically stuttering and pointing to the front
    of our house.  I looked in the direction she was pointing and there
    was Winston, clinging on for dear life, with the most confused look
    on his face!  The screen was still attached to the window sill at
    the base and Winston and the screen were hovering over the ground.
    Now Winston, being a converted indoor/outdoor cat, totally resisted
    any urge he may have had to enjoy the great outdoors.  He waited
    patiently for mom to help him back into the window.  The neighbor
    knew that all of our cats are indoor only (we had told her that
    if she ever saw one of our cats outside, something was wrong). She
    was returning from a walk and witnessed the whole thing.  Winston
    had stood up, stretched, put his paws on the screen for another
    stretch and WWOOOOOOOOWWWWWW!!! He went for a wild ride!! 8^0  Oh
    No!!
    
    Ken got out the hammer and nails and secured the screen back in
    place.  The next day, Ken came home for lunch and the screen itself
    was still in place but the screen fabric was pulled away from the
    frame and was flapping in the breeze.  There was Winston, sitting
    on the window sill, meowing pathetically (meow, I didn't do it dad),
    with a guilty look on his face. 8^).
    
    We don't leave the windows open anymore. We have been too lucky
    two times.
    
    Jo
    
    I know that it really isn't funny, but I laughed my head off when
    I saw Winston clinging to that screen.