Outdoor cat become indoor cat?

[yorkypuds]

We rescued our beautiful boy earlier this year. Although we live close to a busy main road, the local cats have never ventured near it as it is noisy and busy. There is plenty of other space for them to play.
But this daft sod has been going out onto the road. Twice, I've had calls from people who have been and rescued him (my number is on his tag) and brought him home.
Because of the risk of him causing an accident if someone swerved to miss him (never mind the heartbreak of him being hit!), we have decided he will have to be a house cat.
We considered taking him back to rescue but as a black cat who isn't a kitten, I feel he will potentially have months in a small pen and may be PTS.
So my question is, will he accept being a house cat? Or will he always be miserable and wanting to go out?

I can't believe you've even considered taking him back to the rescue. Wow! No real cat lover would do that. Either make him a house cat but put serious time and effort into entertaining him, build a catio in the garden, or look around for a family you know and trust to take him in if they have a more suitable place.

Can you cat-proof your garden?

No the garden wouldn't be able to be cat proofed! Can't quite work out how we could put up a catio but that might be an option. It won't let him go for the wander abouts that he loves though!
When I say consider, I mean look at all options, not actually do it! As I said in my consideration, rescue wouldn't be the best option and I don't know anyone that would have him where he would be safe.
He is currently unhappy on day 3 of house arrest and that breaks my heart too!

What about a harness would he walk on one? We did that with ours when they first started going out and about! Looked a t*at but they got used to the area then before they went roaming.

I’m having to make my cat an indoor cat as she’s recovering from FIP and I’ve been told she will always be immunocompromised. My garden can’t be cat proofed so I’ve bought her a cat tree as well as various toys and scratch posts etc.

If he's unhappy inside and you have no way of letting him out safely then I think he ought to go to a home that can better meet his needs.

But I'd also say that after three days indoors it's too soon to tell either way - give it a couple of months and if he doesn't settle, then look at your options.

However many cats will genuinely become stressed and sick if they're kept indoors so do keep an eye on his behaviour.

It really depends on the cat but it can work. TempCat was outdoors for first 2 years of his life in a quiet, rural location with woods, paddocks and a barn, and no roads he could see or hear or get too. He then came to me in a 2nd floor flat in London.

He's taken to it surprisingly well. But he needs LOADS of entertaining and attention (probably his personality as well - he's very vocal too). So lots of toys, a big cat tree with scratching posts, places to look out the windows, frequent playtimes and cuddles. I used Feliway at the start to help him settle.

He'd love a cat proof garden or catio and as my medium term plan is to move anyway, a priority will be to find somewhere to give him some sort of outdoor space. But in the meantime he seems pretty happy and content. I do WFH 3-4 days a week so I am around a lot which helps - my workmates know him well from him bombing in to Teams meetings!

Jackson Galaxy on You Tube has videos in 'catifying' your space for an an indoor cat.