When I first met my two, one was abandoned and the other was feral. They both go out for about 4 hours a day which I know they enjoy. Infact if they were not allowed to go out they would be unhappy. I know the risks but I dont have much choice and I hate them going out as I do worry so much. At the end of the day it is their happyness that matters

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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

I don't think either camp will ever agree on this subject I'm afraid.... For us it's all about the location. We have no fast roads within a few miles, live on a quiet rural cul-de-sac and surrounded by fields and woodland. Also, some cats are better suited to outdoors than others. We have always had moggies, and never lost one to anything other than old age or cancer so far. Currently have two Maine Coons (A natural outdoor cat IMO) who have full and free access to the great dangerous outdoors 24-7.

But. When we lived in the town next to a main road, we had indoor only cats. Simple.

Honey.....Somewhere! Taken from our bedroom window.


Ian F.

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"Always turn and look when your cat gazes behind you with that intent look in her eyes. Some day there might actually be something there." - T.S. Eliot

It is an area where people will not agree and thats purely as it is down to circumstances and indviduals (both cats and owners)
Thomas is only 5 months old so has never been out so far. I feel he just is too laid back to be safe outside. He would wander up to anybody or anything, stranger, stray dog or speeding car.
For him it will either be an indoor life or one with cat proofed garden.

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Wow I want to live where you live, partly for me and partly for the cats. We live in a quiet village but its got no scenery and no hunting grounds for the kitties. I miss the country!!!

Btw where do you live?

Hi. We're in Nottingham, on the edge of (whats left) Sherwood Forest.

I've just noticed, that in the photo you can see the three routes the cats take from the bottom of the garden into the fields :-)

Ian.

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"Always turn and look when your cat gazes behind you with that intent look in her eyes. Some day there might actually be something there." - T.S. Eliot

Ah I grew up in the Yorkshire Dales and now live in South Derbyshire, nowhere near as rural but at least its not too urban . I would like to live somewhere a bit more rural again but I do like being within close walking distance to a local pub

As I said earlier, my current two will be indoor only, but I've no problems with other people choosing to let thier cats out, it's all about personal choice.

In fact, as long as your cat is happy & healthy (or receiving treatment if not), then as far as I'm concerned you can make whatever decisions you like regarding them. The only exception to this is that I think it is irrisponsible not to neuter your cats (and dogs too for that matter).

For me personally, with my current and foreseeable future living arrangements, letting my cats out is not a risk I'm willing to take, so indoor only or outdoor cat run is the option for me. That being said, my father-in-law lives on an island up north, and his house is situated between a hugh tract of open land (which I believe he owns), and his private beach, his cats go out, and if I lived somewhere like that I'd have no problem with my boys going out as well.

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notsure

Mine are both free range, with a catflap which is unlocked day & night. I wouldn't feel fair keeping them indoors (I don't even stable my ex racehorse), I want them to have the stimulation & freedom of outside. We live in a fairly low risk location, quiet road, woodlands & heathlands & a 1/4 acre back garden. I am of course aware of the dangers to free roaming cats, but I would rather take that risk than keep them in. They are both vaccinated & microchipped, but I won't put collars on them. Of course there are pros & cons, pros being their happiness, me not having to have a litter tray in the house (I seriously can't bear those things, so gross!), vermin control & the enjoyment of watching them just being cats, climbing trees etc. The major con I find is that they are very effective hunters, and seem to like nothing better than spreading rodent entrails around the house! Also I have to worm them every month & make sure I stay on top of flea control, again because of their hunting. When I was a child we had free roaming cats, I guess I was just brought up to keep cats this way.