We have a 4 month old kitten from a rescue (spayed, chipped and jabbed). The rescue asked us to promise that we wouldn't let her out until she's at least 6 months old and in fact they suggested she really shouldn't be allowed out until next Spring because she's black and hard to see in the dark. We also have an older cat who goes in and out using a microchip cat flap. The problem is kitten is OBSESSED with getting out and has escaped 4 times already in the past 2 days (once between someone's legs, once out of an upstairs bathroom window left open a crack and twice by tailgating the older boy as he goes out). She has sussed that the catflap is unlocked when she hears the little click the flap makes when he looks through and she charges across the kitchen to push past him and out.
Once outside she has a brilliant time galloping round, chasing flies, pouncing on leaves etc but she shows absolutely no fear, no normal cat caution or checking her route home and she doesn't respond to our calls or dreamies or her dinner. She's already managed to get stuck in a neighbour's garden and get tangled up in some cord. She is seriously unsafe!
My worry is one of these days very soon she'll get stuck outside without us realising and not know how to get back in. Is it better to give in and let her use the flap and be an in/out cat at 4 months old or should we still be trying to contain her until she develops at least a tiny bit of common sense? I really don't want to limit our older boy from going out because it's the only place he has to escape from her pestering him.
Could I have your MN wisdom?