Hi folks - I have a dilemma about which I am trying my best to have a
positive attitude.  I could really use some input from people who love
and care for cats.  We have recently moved to a new neighborhood in
Seattle with our cat Zsu-Zsu (and our dog, but that's another story.)
Zsu-Zsu is approximately 10 1/2 years old.  My husband and I have taken
care of her for 8 1/2 of those years; 7 years of that time has been in
urban Seattle areas.  She's very much a city cat - extremely social,
smart, aware of her surroundings, conscious of street dangers, etc.

Zsu-Zsu came to us when we were first living in the city.  She lived in
our apartment complex with another guy, and would visit often.  We
would let her come inside from time to time and she would hang out for
a bit, and then go back out.  The previous owner had to leave Seattle
and asked if we would take her; so we did.  Since that time, we have
come to adore and respect this kitty beyond belief; she is one of our
babies and we would do most anything to keep her safe and happy.

Part of that approach has always been to allow her the freedom that she
was used to with her previous owner, a clearly defined part of her
personality.  She is very independent; an indoor/outdoor girl who has
always known where she can come for food and lovin', and this has
always worked just fine for us and (as far as we can tell) for her.

Here's the problem: we have recently moved to a new neighborhood in the
city, and since the move (Sept '04), we have received perhaps 8 phone
calls from various neighbors asking whether she is ours and whether
she's OK to be outside (in varying tones of voice).  It is now getting
to be winter time (Zsu-Zsu has always asked to go out virtually as
often during the winter as in the summer) and the phone calls have
increased exponentially in the last few weeks.

Last night I received a very disturbing phone call from an unidentified
neighbor woman who passive-aggressively condescended and threatened to
"turn the cat in to the authorities" if she sees her outside in the
"freezing cold" evenings again (around 35-40 degrees fahrenheit).
Needless to say, I was very upset by this.  Who is she to judge our
care-taking without even knowing us or our cat?  In addition, she did
not leave her name or her phone number, leaving me to feel very
powerless over whether some random neighbor might call Animal Control
and try to take Zsu-Zsu!  Wow.  I was truly livid.

Today, I am trying not to unneccessarily doubt myself, but at the same
time I have kept Zsu-Zsu inside all day today (which I'm sure she's
pretty ticked off about) in order to think this through thoroughly.  I
need advice about whether it's reasonable to continue to allow Zsu-Zsu
to go outside at the risk of being "taken in" by some "well-meaning"
neighbor, or potentially cat-snatched by the Pound.  Despite my anger
toward this neighbor-woman, I truly want to do what's best for my
kitty, and I think I need some rational and knowledgeable perspective
in order to make a decision.

I appreciate any input you might have.  All the best and Happy New
Year.  --Heather