50 Of The Best ‘My House, Not My Cat’ Moments That Have Ever Happened To Humans (New Pics)

As you can see, not every feline that gets featured on "My house, not my cat" is homeless. Some of them are wearing a collar and feel really comfortable around humans. Pet parents are often puzzled as to whether they should allow their cats to venture outside. Some do, some don't.

"It would be wonderful if it were safe to let our cats out. It would be an ideal life for them. But unfortunately, due to predators, traffic, and bad people, it's just not safe," Samantha Bell, Cat Expert for Best Friends Animal Society told Bored Panda. "Luckily, there are ways to let our cats enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the great outdoors while still keeping them safe from harm: you can build a catio, train them to walk on a harness, or take them on cat-stroller rides. We should also bring elements of the outdoors inside for our cats by providing cat grass for chewing, tall cat trees to climb and scratch, and wand toys with little mice and birds on the end so they can satisfy their hunting instinct."

Dr. Marci Koski, a certified feline behavior and training consultant, agreed that this topic is a difficult one, especially because cultural and social norms vary throughout the world.

"For example, in many places, people wouldn't dream of confining a cat to be exclusively indoors (believing it to be cruel to keep cats inside), but here in the U.S., people often keep cats indoors for safety reasons," Dr. Koski Bored Panda. "For me, it's a personal question that depends on evaluating the risks and benefits of letting your cat outdoors where you live."

"Let's start with the benefits: first, cats evolved over tens of thousands of years to be predatory animals — they spend their days hunting and exploring. The outdoors provides cats with the physical and mental enrichment they need! It's difficult to replace that with an indoor environment (although it can be done, with plenty of vertical space, toys, active playtime, and even the addition of catios). A cat who can express its natural instincts in an enriched environment (like the outdoors) may be less stressed and happier."

However, there are many drawbacks to letting cats outside as well. "Depending on where you live, your cat may be at risk of being hit by a car or getting trapped (unintentionally) in a neighbor's shed or garage," Dr. Koski explained. "Further, there are risks of getting killed or injured by other animals, contracting a contagious disease, eating rodents that have been poisoned, and ingesting toxins found in anti-freeze or plants."

"Less serious (but still potentially life-threatening) are the risks associated with parasites such as fleas and worms. I've made the decision to keep all of my cats indoors; as a child, I lost one cat to poisoning and another to being hit by a car, and I don't want those things happening to any of my kitties now. We built a catio for the cats to enjoy so that they can get safe outdoor time, but letting your cat out in a yard that has been cat-proofed with appropriate fencing, teaching your cat to use a harness/leash, or even enjoying a stroller can be additional ways of letting your cat enjoy being outside in safe ways. Not all cats (particularly those who have been indoors the majority of their lives) want to go outdoors though, so make sure to respect the wants of your kitty."

Ultimately, the decision is yours, but remember that a cat roaming the outdoors will probably use up its nine lives faster. It's a controversial topic, with pros and cons on both sides.

But if you are just welcoming a feline guest, all you need to know is how to introduce yourself to it. To learn how to approach an unknown cat, Bored Panda contacted Lucy Hoile, a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) who also specializes in these mischievous little creatures. 

"Come down to their level and hold out a loosely closed hand to invite them over to meet you," Hoile described the first step. "Speak softly to avoid startling them and give them time to sniff your hand and show you are friendly."

"If they rub their face on your hand, that’s a great sign the cat is happy to meet you. If they walk away, they're not so keen — let them go so they learn to trust you," Hoile explained.

The most important thing to remember, according to Samantha Bell of Best Friends Animal Society, is to let the cat call 100% of the shots. "[If they] feel in control of the situation, [they] are more likely to approach and be friendly," she said.