The debate is raging over whether cats should be kept indoors or allowed outdoors. While there are safety issues for both the pet and the area wildlife, as well as illness and parasite issues, there are benefits to having a pet roaming outdoors, including exercise and mental stimulation. The author shares her personal experience with her two cats, who are rescues and have been able to create a compromise where they are allowed outside. She suggests that having an outdoor cat vaccinated can prevent a wide range of serious illnesses, such as rabies, feline calcivirus (FCV), and feline parvovirus (FPV), which can even bring some of these viruses indoors on their fur and paws. These steps can be taken to keep the cat comfortable, particularly during summer when temperatures rise.