As I've mentioned on alt.cats, I think it's important to do what you can to
make sure your cat has as much outside access as safely possible (whether in
a run, on a harness, or whatever), and I'd want to give my cats as much
opportunity to roam as possible. But I've had both indoor and outdoor cats,
and I don't think having a cat who's completely indoors is necessarily cruel
or selfish, particularly if the owner does their best to keep the cat
occupied, give it things to climb on, and what have you. Like I said in the
other group, there are a lot of strays in cities, and to say they're better
off on the streets where they could catch anything, get hit by cars, shot,
or whatever else, than indoors well-fed and cared for, with lots of toys and
attention, well, I don't think that's cruel. Yes, cats are generally
outdoor animals. But they've become domesticated, and can't fend for
themselves against certain dangers; even the well-defended tiger is being
threatened by humankind. Yes, you should always do what you can to provide
the opportunity for a cat to roam safely. But safety is the issue first and
foremost, and I think giving a cat a loving home when needed, even in an
area where it would be unsafe to let it roam, is anything but selfish. I
realize how strongly you feel about this, so I'm sure you'll disagree, but
having had cats who ended up with diseases, being shot, bitten, and other
problems, I feel it's just as cruel to let a cat roam in a dangerous area as
it is to keep one indoors that doesn't want to be. And again, to say you
just shouldn't own one in areas like that when there are so many that need
looking after just doesn't seem any less heartless to me. I honestly think
it depends on the personality of the cat, and the individual situation. As
I wrote to someone with the same opinion in alt.cats: "I really do see your
point, and I think it's a good one. I think we both agree that the welfare
and happiness of the cat has to come first. And if your cat is truly
miserable indoors, then it's up to you to find ways to keep him or her
occupied. And ideally, if you live in a area that's unsafe for free
roaming, you'd either do something like the outdoor run, or teach kitty to
walk on a harness and make sure he or she gets plenty of supervised outdoor
time to keep them happy. The thing is, if you truly love your cat, you'll
realize these things and do whatever it takes to see that they stay happy.
If you really are a cruel and unkind person, then nothing you or I say would
convince anyone of anything anyway."

Agreeing to Disagree,
Ann