Thoughts on letting cat out in back garden?

caseopele wrote: I'm sorry but this is ridiculous. If you (general you) care at all about your cat, do NOT let it outside unattended. There are so many things that can happen to it, cats have been killed by raccoons in backyards in Park Slope. A dog could get it, an animal hating jerk could poison it or worse, it could get in the street and get hit by a car, it could get lost or just disappear, it could get in a fight with another cat and contract FIV, and if it comes into contact with the saliva, blood, urine, or feces of an FeLV+ cat then it will get FeLV. FeLV is almost always fatal. Why would anyone risk their cat's life just so it can roam around outside?

I've seen too many cats, feral cats who know the streets, hit by cars. Cats that were used as training for people's ill bred dogs, a cat that was set on fire with motor oil, cats abused in ways you never want to know. Keep your damn cats inside if you love them, even a tiny little bit. Or if you must let them out, do the responsible thing and watch them.

If you read what I initially asked, I never, ever said I would let her outside unattended, or let it just "roam around outside." I specifically said that I had a completely (and high) fenced-in garden, and that we would obviously ONLY ever do it supervised, while we were out there with her. Like, standing next to her. She's not going to get hit by a car, and a strange person is not going to come in and poison her.

I understand there are a few small risks (she's also microchipped) and wondered what everyone else thought. And I've really appreciated everyone's feedback and insights, so thanks so much. We have some things to think about.

(But jeez, some of you actually need to read someone's post before you jump to heated conclusions.)