If i had CHOOSEN my cat, Pixel, from a shelter or home litter, I would want him to be an indoor cat - as I also think that 'loose in the great outdoors' is not a safe place for domesticated animals.

Though I like cats, i've never had one because I'm allergic to some cats. I can never tell until I spend time with one, however, whether a particular cat would make me sneeze or itch - some reactions have been really severe. (one cat made my throat close up and my face swell up - I could not breathe)

I'm so softhearted, that if I DID get a cat, and then found that it made me allergic, it would break my heart to give them up.

I also know that i am not a very good housekeeper - and that properly maintaining a litter box would be a constant fight between me and my son. Our yard is big enough, that the doggy poop is not a problem, and our dogs have always stuck to two spots in the yard for 'toilet' purposes, making cleanup only a once or twice a month chore.

However, Pixel choose us - by wandering into our garage over Christmas. He was obviously an 'outside' cat, and had been for quite awhile. He already knew the neighborhood, and the dangers of traffic, animals and fending for himself. My first intention was just to provide him with food, water and the shelter of our garage in winter - possibly get him fixed if I could catch him. but he worried me, as he would come in late at night - obviously having been fighting with other animals - scratches and ears chewed, etc. After awhile, he would let me pet him, but not much. I figured he was a young feral, or 'lost' pet - as he had apparently been stealing dog food from us for awhile, was familar with our garage and yard, (despite our dog - he came in and out thru the hole in the back of the garage for our golden)

When the weather turned bitterly cold one night, he willingly came into our warm laps and the warm house.

since then, Pixel has decided that he's mostly 'house' cat, with a little 'explorer' in him. He seldom stays outside more than an hour - though he can come and go at will. I think he's decided he has the best of both worlds - protection from the elements and nasties that want to pick on him, and lots of food, attention and warmth - the only negative from his viewpoint is the big hairy dog. (who very pointedly ignores Pixel - as Pixel is RUDE to the very nice, polite doggy!)

Pixel makes life easy on us - as he taught himself to use the dog's plexidoor to go in and out on his own - and he potties outside - usually in the sand of the large dog run - so we don't need a litterbox inside. (we can clean up his droppings with the dog's periodically)

Luckily for Pixel, he causes NO allergic reaction in me! Once it was obvious he was going to stay indoors - I even pushed the envelope by burrying my face in his fur and letting him sleep on my bed - nope, not a sniffle or itch! (He now thinks that "I" sleep on "his" bed! LOL!) "Prince Pixel" thinks he rules the house!

occasionally, he'll wander - usually in the early evening, and from my knowledge of the neighborhood, (and the burrs and seeds he brings back on his coat) Pixel mostly goes down to the dead-end of our street and wanders the creek bed down there. There's another feral i've seen him with - a larger, long-haired version of him - who I think is his mom. But she/he won't come anywhere near us, and will run if we even look at her. ( but I've been leaving food out for her in the garage, too, and have seen her around our house more often)

Anyway, Pixel is mostly house cat now - because that's the way HE wants it.

laura