There is a perfect compromise he... cat proof gardens, if you can't buy the expensive kits then abit of diy goes along way. We are looking to buy a house and went to a viewing the other day with a fantastic homemade cat proofed garden. This site is very interesting
Cat Proof Containment Fences & Fencing The system they had was cheap for a 140ft garden and about the same you'd pay for a pedigree kitten. My bengal goes out on her harness and loves it but my tiffanie isnt so good. As soon as we buy oue house i will definetely cat proof the garden.
I lost 2 cats when i was younger, we had 56 acres behind our house, lived on a country road that had one acre the otherside and then big houses, they still went across the road and they were ferile cats we had rescued as tiny kittens. I'd never go through that again or risk my cats lives, times have changed, roads are much busier and you cant trust anyone. Ive seen sooooo many cats killed on the road, i just dont see how people can let them out unless they live in the middle of nowhere!