When to first allow a rescue cat outdoors?

[ClareWilsonNS]

Hello - I recently adopted a lovely rescue cat, who is going to be allowed outdoors. I was told keep her in for at least two weeks before allowing her out for the first time. Then elsewhere, I've seen it advised to wait longer than that. How long would you all recommend? She is settling well, but keen to go out - waits by the cat flap and paws at the door. Before I got her, she was with a fosterer, who allowed her out, but kept her in at night. I am worried she will scamper off the first day I let her out and I'll never get her back.

I think we waited 3 weeks and we were terrified. Of course she scampered over the garden wall and we were convinced she wouldn't come back but she did eventually. It's one of the most nerve wracking experiences in being a cat slave.

Can you ask the foster carers how long they waited before letting her out?

Hi Clare.Our cat was a homeless street cat, and we kept him in for 5 weeks before letting him out.He was scared stiff and took 2 days to venture out.Now he goes missing for weeks.
It's the worst feeling letting them out for the first time but they always come back.
Good luck 😃

Most charities recommend waiting at least 4-6 weeks, and then do it just before a mealtime, stay in the garden with them, and get the cat in after 10-15 minutes with food or treats.

4-6 weeks! Oh no, she is dying to go out. Fosterer couldn't really remember but says she usually gives it 2-3 weeks.
Thanks everyone.

My last 2 rescues (and when moving house with them and previous cats) I waited around 2 weeks, but recent rescue is an ex-stray/semi-feral and we've been advised 6-8 weeks. For a well settled and bonded cat who comes to a call 2 weeks should be ample.

I’d probably give it a month and let her out hungry.

Hmm, she lived with the fosterer as indoor/outdoor for nearly a year, previously, so that's good. I'm not sure about reliably coming to a call, I'll put it to the test over the next few days. Thanks.

We waited 4/5 weeks for ours. You can try to train them to come by calling their name and shaking the bag of Dreamies.

I only wait three days! I carried my latest rescue cat outside and walked round the edges of my enclosed back garden, then straight back indoors. The next day I lured her out with some treats and stayed close beside her as she tentatively explored the bit of garden nearest the house, then hurried back in through her cat flap.
Each day she explored a bit further, and after a week she was climbing fences and investigating the field behind the garden.

She has free use of her flap, and always comes back.
A previous cat escaped the first night in his new house - I was worried stiff that he wouldn’t find his way back. But he bowled in the next morning having killed a rabbit...!

I have the opposite worry to PPs. I think that if I keep an outdoor cat prisoner indoors for weeks, once it is allowed out it will never return, fearing further captivity.
I have owned five cats over the past forty odd years, and they’ve all been fine with early outside access.

Can she see outside, does she sit at windows? If so she'll have a good idea of what is around. If she is used to the idea of going out and coming back I would let her out and probably stay outside with her the first few times.