Great advice from all. My cats also are indoor cats. they are, however harness trained and I have a small fenced yard that I take them into, under my supervision only, in good weather. In winter they don't go out at all, nor do they ask.

Up until 8 years ago my cats had always been strictly indoor. But there came a time when I was working about 70 hours a week just to survive. I had a little yard and loved puttering in the garden. But I had so little home time that, if I was puttering in my garden, I was taking time of myself away from my cats, so I put up a fence, trained them to harness, and now they come out with me, but only with me. I usually keep them out about an hour, and when I say its time to come in, then run to the door and stand in line waiting for me to take their harnesses off.

They never try to dash out, or ask to go out any other time.

As long as cats get plenty of stimulation and interaction from you, they are fine to be kept indoors. And safer and healthier.

A lot of sick people out there, just looking for cats to torture. Not to mention disease, predators and cars. But it's the sickos that scare me most.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the positive replies!
I wasn't worried about it until this lady got me thinking at work on Friday! However, having read your replies I will keep on doing what I am doing.
We went on holiday in the summer and took the dogs. Although my 21 year old son stayed at home, due to the amount of time he can sleep (!) I still asked my neighbour to come in daily to play with and feed the kittens. She loved it and so did they! They didn't seem any worse for wear and were really delighted to see us when we got back. They had a different regime for the week we were away, but it didn't seem to bother them at all. Perhaps I am lucky that I have laid back cats?
Dusty is half Maine Coon (although TBH she looks very much like a maine coon!) and Rusty is a ginger moggy.
I could never forgive myself if I just let them out to give myself an easier life and something happened to them. (It can get complicated with doors being open for the dogs, but the cats usually live in the front half of the house and the dogs in the back - sounds as if I live in a mansion, but its only a small terrace, so pretty easy to organise. We also have stair gates in strategic places so the cats can escape the dogs when they want to.)
Have to remind the 3 males in my life (husband and 2 sons before you think I live in a hareem!!!) to keep the toilet seats down cos otherwise both cats try and climb in, but apart from that it is not so bad!
Thanks again.

My parents cat got hit by a car when she was 2, she's now 15 and all the infections etc that she's had are from outside: bitten (got infected), glass in her paw, breaking her leg. Having said that, she's alot wiser now she's older. She doesn't go that far, but I don't think I can face mine going out to be honest. They may go too far.

The main thing I worry about is cars, not being stolen etc. Just cars. And each cat's road sense varies. We've got two 3 month olds, and I'm mostly thinking keep them inside.

Cruel is a bit of a strong word. It cannot be cruel to keep them safe, can it? They can also be happy too. My two indoor cats are happy with being inside. My eldest (Maine Coon) loves looking outside & has been with me in the garden when I put washing out but that's it, she's fine with that yet the little one (Birman) is terrified of the outside - he won't go past a door frame even if I am sat outside anyway.

I am planning on getting a house cat soon, and I don't see why it could be cruel? I would ignore comments like that! If your cats ever wants to go outside, you could always get an aviary set up for them to run around in, or again like lorilu said, harness train them, this is what I am planning on doing

I don't see a problem with having indoor cats - my dads cats are indoor cats and they are perfectly happy. Still get them neutered or spayed though. OH's ex had 2 indoor cats who she never got done, they both got out one afternoon and came back pregnant and she was left trying to find homes for 13 kittens!

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Dogs have owners; Cats have servants

The naming of cats is a difficult matter. It isn't just one of your holiday games. You may think at first I'm mad as a hatter. When I tell you a cat must have three different names...T.S. Eliot

Mummy to Effie (kitten); Sister to Jess (cat) & Alfie (Staffie)

Keeping cats indoor isn't cruel in any way. Damiens an indoor cat and is more than happy. He's declawed a rescue was done before we got him that is cruel so he can't be an outdoor cat anyway. He's harness trained and goes on walks with the dogs or out into the garden but thats it. He has plenty of toys and animal friends to play with.

Both my girls are house cats.

Kaya was so tiny as a kitten (runt of the litter!) that the vet told us to keep her as a housecat or she wouldn't survive, she's 13 now!

They're both perfectly happy indoors.

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I have two rescue Ragdolls and neither of the go out.

They are both very happy indoors and they have lots of toys,ect to play with.
I also make sure there is windows to look out of scratching posts to climb over and lots of water and food.

They are both very happy and loving cats and even if I leave the door open they have never shown any interest in the great outdoors, Have to confess I am happy about that as I would not want anything to happen to them