A resolution for cat people

[mike_c]

38. my cats choose for themselves....

We use swinging cat doors to provide access to both indoors and outdoors. Frankly, I think it's the best thing to do-- it provides access both ways, so that our cats can choose for themselves. Some of our cats only go outside for a few minutes every few days, preferring the safety and comfort of indoors. Some of them are just the opposite, coming indoors only at night, or during bad weather.

They're all neutered, of course, and even the most outdoorsy of the lot doesn't roam much beyond the confines of fenced yard. We live in a relatively safe neighborhood for cats-- I've lived here since 1999, and have shared the house with 15 or so cats during that time (eleven currently living, but not all here now, although most are still in the neighborhood). Not one has been killed by predators, traffic, or anything other than old age or, in one case, degenerative disease.

My cats are happiest when THEY get to choose whether to go outside or stay indoors. And they're well fed, so they don't hunt. Much.