If you live in an area where, for whatever reason, you feel unable to
allow a healthy cat its freedom to roam for at least some time each
day (and only you can judge your area) then don't have a cat. To have
a healthy cat, knowing you will keep it in 24/7 marks you are being
cruel, selfish, or both.


I'll agree to the selfish part. Yes, I am selfish. I have decided to take an
animal (in this case two homeless animals from an animal rescue service) and
keep them locked in my home; for my own selfish amusement. They give me a
great deal of enjoyment; they are funny, and warm, and friendly, and in short .
.. . just great to have around. I am keeping them captive, quite possibly
against their will.

In return for their captivity;I feed them better than they would ever eat in
the wild, I take them to an animal doctor on a regular basis and keep them in
better health than they would have in the wild; I keep them warmer or cooler
than they would be in the wild, depending on the season; I keep them away from
predators bigger than they are; I buy products which I know they would like or
would amuse themselves with; and, they will likely live twice as long as they
would in the wild.

NO, I am certainly not cruel! Its funny, but I did not invent the idea of
keeping pets. For all of my years people have kept pets; in fact, they have
been doing it for a very long time. So, I have taken pets which are already on
this earth and made the trade I've outlined above. It would be cruel of me to
let them go out into the city at will, and invariably shorten their lives. It
would also be doubley, no tripley cruel of me to allow them to go into the
night and either get knocked up or do the same to another animal, so the
population of unwanted animals could explode.

So, now that you've taken the liberty to call me selfish and cruel, let me ask
you a question. You sound like an outdoorsman! Do you hunt?