I seen a previous post, this one is a little more specific as I'm thinking of getting a cat.

Commonly, I see several cats in places such as apartment complexes just outside by the dumpsters or in the bushes. Would these be strays? Or people in the complex who just let their cats out?

My mother and I would go feed 'strays' for a friend, at two different locations one being a mcdonalds. We would put cats food out and water and maybe five different cats would come out.

Initially I assumed all cats outside left to roam were strays. Up until a few months ago in the middle of the night I was outside with my brother and saw this cat. My first actual interaction with a cat which made me want one even more. He approached us, rubbed it's body against our legs, let us pet him, rolled around when we petted him, played a bit and followed us around as long as we didn't leave a certain radius so I'm assuming he was either locked out or just liked being outside.

A week ago, and coworker told me her sister treats her cat like a human. Allows him to come and go as he pleases. She even said they think he has someone taking care of him because he always come home fed. He left for a few months then came back around again.

Why are people comfortable with their cats roaming? I'm not saying anything is wrong with it but I dont understand. I'd be scared for my animal personally, such as bad drivers, people, other animals etc. With a dog, most owners don't let them free roam and when I do see a free roaming dog I avoid it because I assume it's gotten loose. So is it intentional, does your cat just like getting out and you let them, or does the cat sneak out lol?

I intend on taking my cat for walks, not limiting it to the house but I dont think I'll be opening my door and trusting my cat to make it back in, maybe it requires training?