When can I let Gordon the rescue cat roam free?

[MinkyBorage]

He's settled in nicely, but only really comes out when dc have gone to bed. Then he is very affectionate and happy with dh and I. He is still quite jumpy though.
We've had him 2 1/2 weeks.
This pm, I let him out on to the garden, and he had a wander, then came in for food because he was hungry.
When can I let him out when he is not hungry? There are a lot of cats around here, and I'm a bit worried that he will be frightened by them initially, or start chasing them or fighting (he's got the feel of a bruiser about him, although I could be wrong!).
When can I let him out unsupervised, and how long should I let him stay out for?

We kept our rescue cats in for 4 weeks but that was years ago. I remember the night we first let them out I was so worried that they would just run away. But they didn't. I'm sure your cat will be fine if you have already let him out. Sometimes its just a case of if they wander too far. Another stray we took in was kept in for about a month and went missing a week after we let him out. He came back though and was obviously scared by the experience as he didn't leave the house, (or even my side), for about a week, poor thing.

Actually my neighbour has just got a rescue cat and she only kept him in for 2 weeks before letting him out. I saw him today sat outside their front door looking bemusedly at the cat flap.

As for the bruiser thing - my cat is a big, hefty thing but he would get beaten up by my neighbours girl cats and would refuse to go out into the garden as the blackbirds would shout and swoop at him. My other, (smaller), cat would just ignore it. My Pickle is just a big softee .

WE got a rescue cat last summer and kept him in for two weeks before letting him out. I was convinced he'd never come back but he did.

Thanks, I'm going to brave it this evening

Let him out and he sniffed around nervously then heard a few bird and he was off. Didn't see him until this morning! I didn't expect him to come back at all though.

However, the first thing he did when he got back was doing a poo in the litter tray!! What's that all about?

Minky even my old cat is out all night at the moment, the weather being so balmy, so try not to worry. Hopefully yours has had a good explore of the area and won't get lost.

Mine do the litter tray thing as well. They come in from outside see a nice clean litter tray and can't resist. Saves my borders though I suppose!

Glad the first outing went well

Tonight he just lounged around outside the kitchen, stayed pretty close to me all night, and obviously didn't want to stay out all night. It's funny, I'm not a cat person, but I am so touched by his trust in me, and the way that my three weeks kindness to him has engendered such loyalty in him. I think I've fallen for him.
Could do without the litter tray thing though. Gutted it still happens after all this time ipso.

Minky I don't have a cat flap so I need a litter tray as they can't get out if I'm not here. They tend to use it more in the winter when they can't be arsed to get cold and/or wet outside. Maybe yours will stop using the litter tray when he finds somewhere outside.

That's so lovely that you've fallen for your cat. They are all so different. I have 3 and they all have different characters and little quirks.