I don't cage any of my cats and I agree - I hate it when cats are caged their whole lives - cats need to be free. I have to cage my foster cats and I always feel bad - but I know that it is temporary until they go to their new homes, and since their alternative was death, a month in a cage isn't such a bad thing. Some of the cats I have gotten from breeders that cage have never overcome their skittishness - others that were never caged are big in your face mushes. Sometimes it is harder to place the beautiful purebred cats who have spent years in a cage -
My cats are my family - including my whole Abby male Merlot - and none of them have ever been caged unless they were ill or due to deliver. Of course the kittens and moms need to be caged for their own safety (unless you are lucky enough to have a room just for a mom and her kittens like Sandie does), until they are old enough to be free, find litter, etc. There certainly are times when you must cage your cats if you are going to breed and when kittens are due, but all in all it is best to raise them along side your pets if at all possible. It makes for really well socialized adults and kittens.
But you also have to be careful your cats don't indiscriminately breed too - I assume that Harriet, you have only one whole male (like I do). because it certainly could be a disaster to have whole females and males running free in the home and not knowing what kind of breeding program you are on?
My cats are my family - including my whole Abby male Merlot - and none of them have ever been caged unless they were ill or due to deliver. Of course the kittens and moms need to be caged for their own safety (unless you are lucky enough to have a room just for a mom and her kittens like Sandie does), until they are old enough to be free, find litter, etc. There certainly are times when you must cage your cats if you are going to breed and when kittens are due, but all in all it is best to raise them along side your pets if at all possible. It makes for really well socialized adults and kittens.
But you also have to be careful your cats don't indiscriminately breed too - I assume that Harriet, you have only one whole male (like I do). because it certainly could be a disaster to have whole females and males running free in the home and not knowing what kind of breeding program you are on?