My eldest cat has always been allowed outside and goes crazy if I try to keep her in.
My 2 male Siamese really want to go out, but there is no way I would let them. I live in a very quiet area with our garden backing onto fields and allotments (which are a real hazard) They are both SO nosy and non-streetwise that they wouldnt last the day. We build them a garden run instead.
I can see both sides of the debate
