Depending on the neighborhood, the individual cat and the circumstances (neighborhoods, kind of cat, etc), a cat should be treated uniqely. Not as a wild animal, not as a goldfish. They are in a class all by themselves. They can’t be put on a leash and can’t be fenced in. They thrive being outdoors and it is almost cruel to keep them inside their whole lives. Most will become depressed, lazy and bored out of their minds...
Now if only people were mature enough to accept those facts.
Hear ye, hear ye, a voice of sanity. Like there are just hundreds of cats roaming an individual neighborhood, pooping all over the gardens. Not. Hyperbole. They roam around during the day, lounge in the sun, and then come home at nite for food, drink, and some petting. How often is it that they cause much trouble? Hardly ever. People have let their cats roam for centuries. I’m lucky in that, though living in a condo, I have a very large balcony (20 feet long). I’m on the second floor, and my cats (when I had 2, 1 passed away not too long ago), would go out on the balcony during the warm days of spring, all summer, and into the fall. They would lounge around, stare at birds, watch squirrels and rabbits, and enjoy the fresh air. Neither of my cats would intentionally jump off. Instinctively they knew they were too high up. It is the best of both worlds. I can let my cat out, but the cat is still at home. She comes in and out at whim (I keep the sliding glass door cracked so she can do this. The only day I make sure to keep her in is Halloween, as she is black and looks just like the Halloween scaredy cat. (She’s very pretty, medium to a bit longer hair). Is right next to me on my recliner as I type, with her tail occasionally swishing over the keyboard.
Thanks for your reply. I have 2 black cats...medium hairs also....black cats are my favorite...