Indoor or outdoor cats

Grover is an indoor cat only. She has never been outside in her life. I am too afraid of her getting hurt or killed by dogs or just getting lost.

Willie:)

I agree. Nikki, Daisy, and Marigold are strictly indoor cats.

I really have to put my two cents worth in again and share my point of view and explain a little to you all, if you lived in NZ you would be viewed as somewhat crazy having an indoor kitty only , infact they would consider you to be cruel, that is just the culture here.

My kitties are indoor/outdoor, but that does not mean that is my preference anymore, since coming to PT I really would love to have my kitties indoor with a large outdoor enclosure, I just do not have the finances to provide that for them at this stage, and as I have no air conditioning in my home which is the norm for NZ, It would not be possible,the kitties and my family would die from heat stroke, screens are a possibility but again expensive, but I am hoping to gradually install one or two this year, however until a good outdoor enclosure is up and running, they will have to remain indoor/outdoor, still it is my dream to provide this for them if I ever can, and I would do it in a heartbeat.

Yes I love to see my kitties on a beautiful summer day outside enjoying the smells, the sun, the trees, nothing can beat that, but the downside is there is an element of risk, even though I keep my kitties strictly indoors at night time, and Lexie is much more an indoor kitty than Ash, as I have raised her to be that way, but come summertime it is a tad more difficult.

I have really come to the way of thinking the American folks have got it right, although I do think they should have an outdoor area of some sort, I would not even consider it otherwise.

One just needs to keep in mind to respect the choice of other's and the culture's of different countries when responding to such a thread, that is MO.

Although NZ does not have wild coyotes, snakes,etc or Rabies, we still have traffic and other cats and the odd stray dog of course which yes do pose a threat to our kitties, one cannot denie this.
However the constant worry about a fire happening in the home trapping my furbabies would not be something I would like, I guess it is just as much a worry as the above problems I have mentioned, just reading about David's close call with a fire and his concern for his furbabies is one downside of indoor only.,I guess you just have to weigh up which poses more of a threat, this is another reason why I prefer an outdoor enclosure for them to go to if a fire did eventuate.

Yes I have managed to see through other's eye's and values and change my opinion on this subject, but believe me I am a huge miniority in this country, but I donot care what other people think, if it were possible my kitties would be indoor with the outdoor enclosure.

I am still trying to work out if I can afford to put up cat fencing, it is a tricky thing, I have to have my neighbours permission, and I cannot afford to send for it from USA, I hope in time I find a way, as each day goes by I worry about my furbabies.