Hi

My three kittens are about 18 weeks now and have been going out over the last week. They have had their injections. My only concern is the risk of them getting pregnant and they will be speyed as soon as they are old enough.

I kept them shut in one room for a long time but it got to a point where that just wasn't kind as they started getting stressed so I let them out but only when I was home. They explored the house for a week or so but it wasn't long before they discovered the cat flaps that my other five cats use - and off they went!

They don't go far and are usually to be found asleep in my bedroom. They are out for far less time than I thought they would be and I still shut them up in 'their' room at night as I think they are far too young to be out overnight. Four of my older cats come in at night as well - they like their comfort. The only one who stays out a lot is my only male and he can be gone for days at a time

My cats have always been outdoor cats. I live in an old house with a right of way between my house and my garden so I would have to carry the cats outside if I built a cat run. I don't live on a road - it is an unmade up dead end where the neighbours all park. I know there is a risk that something could happen to my fur children and in my last house I did have cats die - one was run over and another poisoned. I have made the decision to take the risk and I hope I can live with the consequences if anything awful happens.