Keeping a cat indoors isn't cruel, and letting a cat roam isn't cruel either. Both situations depend on the living conditions of the owner and the character of the particular cat. My kitty is a mostly indoor cat (she goes out for walk and playtime on her harness) and she's totally fine with it, but she has plenty of toys to play with indoors and she's rarely left alone for more than a couple of hours. She has escaped a few times before, but she just sits on the doorstep waiting to be carried back in; I think she knows that she's only supposed to leave the house accompanied on her lead. I'd love to get one of those outdoor runs, though!

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