I get that some people will choose to let their cats go out, and that's their prerogative, but I find it VERY odd to hear that some rescues in the UK will not even allow someone to adopt a cat if they don't promise to let it out.
That just boggles my mind. I just keep telling myself that the environment must be SO different there. Here, pretty much all shelters/rescues will not only encourage you to keep your cat inside or on a leash, but some will even decline an adoption if you say it will be an outdoor cat. And of course that's just because there are sooo many dangers. There are also way more stray/feral cats here than there should be (though I've heard it's worse in my area, probably because we don't have winters). Cats that roam around outside here are VERY likely to be hit by a car. It happens all the time and it's so, so sad because it's so easily preventable... They are also likely to be attacked or killed by dogs, racoons, alligators, other cats, snakes, etc. Mean people are also a huge danger to outdoor cats. They can be poisoned, shot at, or even worse (I won't go into detail on what I've seen/heard). Then there is the less likely, but still possible risk of them being stolen, but that really only applies to pedigree cats. Knowing how common all of these things are here, it just makes me wonder if maybe the environment is just very different in the UK. Because with all these risks I just don't understand why a rescue center would require outdoor access... Interesting how different things are depending on where you're located, huh.
I think you have a good thing going, viperkeeper. You're able to let your cat experience being outside in a relatively safe way. It's nice to hear how diligent you are about keeping an eye on Pouncey, while still letting him have a bit of freedom at the same time. Of course it's not a fool-proof solution, but it's a lot safer and a lot more responsible than just opening the door and saying "see ya later!". I think being outside with your cat or walking it on a leash/harness are great ideas. Unfortunately none of my cats would stand for that, but they do sometimes enjoy lounging around outside on the screened-in back patio. You can tell my cats are "indoor cats" though, because when I come in the house most of them follow.
They aren't comfortable with being out there without me. Even my outdoor-to-indoor convert Eevee doesn't beg to go out, she knows she has a great thing going now and is happy staying safely inside. I know not all cats are like that though.
Like I said, I know some people (regardless of location) choose to let their cats out and that's just their choice. It makes me sad, because I hate seeing any cat get run over/lost, but it's not my cat so it's not my say! I just know that personally, I would never take that risk with my babies. I'm one of those over-protective mommies, I guess.