I have adopted a feral cat. I've also worked with them in the past (adoption preparedness at a no-kill shelter). Bringing them indoors, getting them used to being on a lead and harness outdoors (or otherwise supervised and contained), is one of the kindest thing you can do for them. For the ones living in colonies outdoors and incapable of being re-domesticated (the ones you wouldn't try to adopt in the first place), there's a reason TNR - trap, neuter, return - is a thing.
Cats started associating with us all those thousands of years ago precisely because, generally speaking, they enjoy the comparatively "easy life" of living with ammenities and low stress. Perhaps we should have never encouraged their domestication in the first place; I'd leave that discussion for another day. But we're here now and we have a responsibility.
I'm glad that most don't seem to think that way where I live, but yeah some do, despite all rescues, shelters, and vets being united on the message that cats shouldn't be let out to free roam.
I agree with the message of what you're saying (see my other comments here) but the way you're saying it sounds like animosity towards the cat themself, which isn't really fair. The responsibility lies entirely with the humans.
I don't understand why you're being downoted. Didn't even say cats don't belong outdoors, just that they don't belong outdoors unsupervised which a completely true take. For the record, I absolutely love cats which is why mine don't go outside unsupervised. Two of mine have no interest in leaving the comfort of home (one does enjoy the balcony, on a harness for safety of course) and my third enjoys going out on his harness with me when the weather is nice (he has zero tolerance for snow though).
All three are extremely affectionate, loving, and sociable and by all measures happy and content.
I see you're trans. I'm trans too - and if a foreign power like a fascist America comes to bring us "freedom" I sure as hell am picking up gun if I'm fit to, or whatever else is needed. It doesn't have to be in service of a state, what about your community?? Pacifism is such a bullshit ideology.
I mean, allies are a thing of course, but most trans women, including myself, resent being confused for drag queens. Most drag queens aren't trans, they're entertainers.
What's nice about the fediverse is that you can say this and I can agree and upvote without our accounts getting banned. That, and people over on the other site are clutching pearls about this.
I have adopted a feral cat. I've also worked with them in the past (adoption preparedness at a no-kill shelter). Bringing them indoors, getting them used to being on a lead and harness outdoors (or otherwise supervised and contained), is one of the kindest thing you can do for them. For the ones living in colonies outdoors and incapable of being re-domesticated (the ones you wouldn't try to adopt in the first place), there's a reason TNR - trap, neuter, return - is a thing.
Cats started associating with us all those thousands of years ago precisely because, generally speaking, they enjoy the comparatively "easy life" of living with ammenities and low stress. Perhaps we should have never encouraged their domestication in the first place; I'd leave that discussion for another day. But we're here now and we have a responsibility.