Well the RSPCA seems to think it's ok , as we adopted from them and their forms say to leave it a month before letting them out (which we are choosing not to do). Pretty sure they know what there about.I don't know if your in England but it's the norm here. there are atleast 20 cats on my road that I recognize on sight, and 3 or 4 I pet regularly. Not to mention the other 6 I see on our school run. All my friends and family have outside cats (3 of whome have gotten to over 20 I might add) and thought I feel it is deff an issue of not having all the facts, it is not abuse. My besties adores her cat, the whole family does, they are not animal abuser ,they are just doing what they think is best. Their cat is 13 btw