Supervise all initial meetings. While there is the romantic vision of the outdoor cat lounging on the porch and hunting in the woods, the real picture is less ideal. Outdoor cats risk injury by cars, eating poison, drinking antifreeze, or fighting with other animals. Other outdoor hazards include abuse from angry neighbors, extreme weather, fleas and other parasites or infections passed on by other cats. Indoor cats have an average life expectancy of 15 years, but it is not unusual for them to live to 20 years.
Indoor life provides all the pleasures of outdoor life without the dangers.
Unlike dogs, cats do not run around to explore, but scan their surroundings visually, and employ their sensitive hearing to detect subtle changes. Cats spend considerable time grooming, stretching, sunbathing, and moving from one lounging place to another. While these acts seem simple, they are integral to a cat's life. Give your cat a nice window ledge with a view. Leave cat-safe toys and treats, and keep the radio on when you are gone.