If you are going to let your cat go outside, I believe it needs to be on your cats terms (ie free access to them)

I dont agree with leaving them outside overnight relying on you hearing them and letting them back in. If they choose to stay out at night, or during the day, thats fine, but they shouldnt be blocked from coming back in.

(and leaving the window open isnt really a good plan as you could easily fall asleep and miss them crying)

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We're thinking about getting a cat flap put in too. They want to go out, so I'll let them :-) I don't let them out in the day because opie is in and out of the garden. He might restrain himself from chasing them in the house, but outside it would be a different matter. I've been and checked on them and they are fine. I have to get up in middle of the night with oh's mam so I'll check on them then too.

I checked on them at midnight, and they all came running back in, one with a mouse unjust mouth. Their overnight adventure will have to wait for another time