Indoor cats

Grandnana

To those who say that it's cruel to keep cats in, I would suggest it's no different from the fact that most dogs aren't allowed to roam as they were 60 years ago. The are pack animals and their natural instincts aren't to be stuck indoors.

Yes but for dogs, we are their pack and if they are with us, they are fine (a walk is as good as a roam).
& both my grandparents had dogs 70 years ago, they weren't allowed to roam, they had a kennel and a long leash attached to a wire so they could move around, but they went out with their owners, not on their own.
With cats there are many good reasons for keeping them in but the three I have had were desperate to be out, and so they were allowed out (one was a rescue- she was the most frantic to get outdoors).

My previous cat lived until she was 20.5 years and she was always a home cat. I had lost too many cats when they went outside. Two ran over and two never came back. My next cat will be a house cat as well. I hate these people who put the cat out at bedtime. Why? They have to fend for themselves. Out in all weathers and what else is out there. Cruel.

We have four cats and a large garden at the end of a private road. They all like being outside and the two younger ones are big hunters. The “presents” seem to come in clusters so not all the time.

Previously I had a cat whilst living in a flat, got from a rescue after her elderly owner died and the son threw her and her brother into the street to try and survive . She was terrified when she first arrived with me but adjusted and would sit and lie on the balcony and be content there. (as well as loving being inside)

So I have done both and neither way seemed to stress the cats out. Amie (balcony cat) did make the move to the big garden house but unfortunately got cancer and had to be put to sleep . The two younger ones came after her (siblings that couldn’t be separated)

All four cats stay in at night, cat flap has a timer (it will let them in anytime but not back out again)

As OP's cats are fully grown and have always been indoor cats, they probably have no real desire to go out. Nor have they learned the skills need to keep them alive outside. I am thinking of traffic here, as cats do not seem to realise by themselves that cars will not stop for them!

A cat run sounds a good idea, as they are probably too old now to take kindly to harness and leads!