I don't think people mean to harm their cats by leaving them to roam freely. However I think it's such an ingrained idea that cats can never be trained or be happy indoors, that it's difficult to discuss this matter. One of the people I know who lost two of her cats is unwilling to get another cat because she does not want to go through the whole misery of losing pets again. She is adamant that cats need to go out and explore.

Cats are hunters and they do diminish the bird population. Someone in a shop told me they don't like cats because they kill "everything". Well they don't kill everything but I realised that this person seemed certain that all cats are horrible killers. This leads to people disliking and then maybe harming cats?

It's not cheap to have pets, and that is exactly why it's odd to me that the pet is allowed to roam free. Nothing that is "free" can also be owned(like the way we own a dog or an object) I think. If I had outdoor cats being fed by someone else I would probably talk to them and we could actually work out a rota for the feeds; someone do morning and the other evening. It does not need to become so nasty and tense because I think it's wonderful if your pet is being looked after by not just yourself but by others.

I prefer cats being indoor cats, especially with this weather. I also don't want them contracting diseases or getting into fights.