Cat bringing in live mice/frogs

Question
We have a kitty door so our cat has freedom to come in and go out all day.  When she comes in at night, we lock it and she sleeps inside.  I know outside cats are in danger, but we adopted her as an outside cat, and after listening to her cry for 3 months to go out, we finally started letting her out, and installed a kitty door.  Now, however, when she comes and goes, (she is now 1 yr. old) she oftens brings "friends" with her.  Usually they are still alive, small mice and frogs, and we end up chasing them around the house in order to release them back outside.  We plan on being away for a few days, and have someone to come over to feed her, but we are afraid of what we will find when we return.  Any suggestions as to how we can break her of this habit of "bearing gifts" once and for all?

Answer
Hello!

This is one thing I don't miss about having indoor/outdoor cats!

Unfortunately, hunting is an instinct for cats, and it's not probable that you will be able to break her of this habit.  The best I could recommend is to put a collar with a bell on her.  The jingling may give small prey a heads up.  It's nowhere near 100% effective.  Lots of cats learn to walk so that the bell doesn't jingle.  But it's the only idea I can ever come up with to try to prevent cats from catching anything.

As for your going away, would it be possible to leave her door locked and keep her inside, just for that short time?  If you aren't home to listen to her cry, maybe she won't do it at all.