Sounds like you have multiple problems, because your attitudes and your parents' differ in several ways. And it does sound as if your father genuinely cares about the cats - he doesn't want them to get wet, and he wants them to have freedom, which he considers to be important to them and something that they want. Letting cats play outside for part of the day does complicate things, because it gives them a taste for the outside. I don't have that complication, because my cats are strictly indoor cats. Maybe if you point out to your father that there are many health and safety dangers out there for cats, and even that those can result in very expensive vet bills, he might give his position a second thought. I am not sure about leaving cats in an enclosure outside while you are gone - an animal or person could get in and harm them or take them. These are just a few stray thoughts that occurred to me as I read your most recent post.