Point taken TB but although Shadow has been mine for 6 months, I have known him and feed him for nearly a year as he was living outside until CP caught him and 8 other cats including my Puss Puss and had them all neatured, so he knows the area well. When Abby and rebel were alive I had them from kittens and I could do what you suggested and it worked but Shadow is different altogether. In fact I didn`t want to let him out in the first place but I could tell he was getting unhappy.
my Father will leave the backdoor open for him and there is a large cat kennel for either Shadow or Puss Puss as it is large enough for both.
Thank you all for helping and anymore ideas would be helpfull

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Black with white around his private area



Black Tortoiseshell




R.I.P Patch my well behaved boy dog
R.I.P. Abby and Rebel my beautifull litter sister cats

When ours are just back from the cattery they quite often disappear for longer periods of time, it's like they are getting to know their territories again. If your cat has just started going out he might be exploring and that's why he's out for longer periods of time? He'll probably settle once he's a bit more used to it.

TB I am impressed with you having your cats trained to come back when you call them. Ours often will, but sometimes will just ignore us (even when we know they are hiding in one of the neighbours' gardens, and sometimes even to the point of ignoring Dreamies being rattled...)

Puss Puss always come when I call her and I do give her a treat when she turns up just so there is this incentive. Shadow came back a couple of times but was so suspicious he wouldn`t eat his treats and kept his distance until he was ready to come in. Clever little sod

__________________

Black with white around his private area



Black Tortoiseshell




R.I.P Patch my well behaved boy dog
R.I.P. Abby and Rebel my beautifull litter sister cats

Shadow

Puss Puss

Shadow with Puss Puss in my neighbours jungle

This was Sunday with the two enjoying themselves. I was a bag of nerves as Shadow was out of site for along time. He seems happier when he is in now but wont stop me worrying when he goes out, but he is happy.

__________________

Black with white around his private area



Black Tortoiseshell




R.I.P Patch my well behaved boy dog
R.I.P. Abby and Rebel my beautifull litter sister cats