Indoor vs Outdoor cat

Some reputable rescues insist on indoor only homes. I have a cat that only goes into the garden with supervision. He also has an outdoor space he uses, like a small catio.

He has a large selection of cat trees inside, with plenty of toys & interactive things to do. He gets lots of human company.

Indoor cats do quite well, but I would approach a rescue for many reasons, especially as they can find you cats that will be more suitable to your lifestyle.

Some rescues have cats that must be indoors cats and are used to living like that. Maybe worth exploring?

Could you build a catio or cat proof your back garden (and never let them out of the front door)?
Our cat has a catio off the downstairs toilet, a harness and sometimes has supervised garden trips.
A main road is not ideal and may exclude you from getting rescue cats.
I used to live on a main road and didn't let my other cat out the front and he was OK for many years, until he went missing.

I think the problem is that if your cats decide that they do want to go out, you may end up with stressed or unhappy cats. Our 'kittens' started trying to escape from about 4 months old. It was actually a relief when we started letting them out.
We've always had outdoor cats and I do think that cats with outdoor access have a more fulfilled life - but recognise that there are risks with them going outside. My view is that a short happy life is better than a long bored one.
(Having said that - all the previous cats we've ever had have died of old age/illness rather than accident anyway)

You could possibly look at catio options or cat proofing your garden?

This ^
Cats need to do what cats naturally do. Climb trees, sleep under a shrub in the sun.

You’ll soon get fed up with stinking litter trays. Just don’t, it’s cruel.

Think about a hamster instead.

I have two indoor cats, and our last cat, a senior rescue who came to us at the age of 10, had also been an indoor cat his whole life and we carried that on.
Our last cat had 3 x big cat trees around the house and his own armchair & sofa in the conservatory 😂. Our windows and back patio doors were and are still secured with Flat Cat window mesh, so our cats have always had fresh air safely.
In an ideal world yes, I’d love to let my cats outside, however the world can be a scary and dangerous place
for animals and I just know I’d worry all day long.
My two little 1 year old cats now, were born under a shed in Feb last year, where they lived in the cold outside for the first 2 months of their lives, they now live indoors, and they have plenty of toys, fresh air through the window mesh, and we play 45 mins of the Jackson Galaxy Simmer and boil method most nights so they can run around. If you want your cats indoors, see what works for them and how they feel, our girls are fine. There will be plenty of people who will tell you either way, but you trust your instinct and know you’re doing your best with your cats’ best interests at heart x

He also has 4 cat trees. Window shelves in the conservatory. Endless toys. Puzzle feeders. A big wheel, he uses this intermittently thought tbh.

Why don’t you choose one of the breeds that are happy to stay home? They are usually more placid and accepting of children’s affection too, win win

My female cats never wandered. They would go in the garden and that was pretty much it, One would follow us if we set off on a walk to the end of the cul-de-sac and then turn back. As they got older they never left the garden. Ive one left now and she only goes out when the weather is at least 25 degrees and dry with so wind. And only if i an also outside. My boy cat did wander a bit more and get into trouble.

Can you cat proof your garden?

For me, a long time cat lover and owner, it’s cruel to keep them indoors.
If you don’t live somewhere you are happy they’d be safe, please don’t get them.

I have an indoor cat. I harness trained him when he was little so when im doing something in the garden he comes out with me. Id let him further on his harness but he's a wimp and won't go far 😂. I also have a catio.

It's not unreasonable, but indoor cats need lots and lots of stimulation. As long as you're willing to make changes to the house around their needs, then it sounds like a plan!