[mulmen]

There are house cats all over my neighborhood. I can think of four in the area. It’s extremely common to have an outdoor cat as a pet.

Your characterization of cat ownership is unrealistic.

[hunterb123]

Most cat owners I know have inside only cats, as do I. I do know of 3 cats that roam my neighborhood, they could be from quite far away as outdoor cats have a large range.

I guess anecdotes from you or I isn't really telling if an indoor or outdoor majority of cat ownership is "unrealistic". Maybe we need a study :p

Do outside cat owners generally let their cats inside their home?

[mulmen]

Doesn’t matter, they’re domestic cats and you already explained a circumstance where they could expose visitors and owners. Half the year here is a hospitable climate for outdoor recreation and cat survival. Half of it isn’t. I have seen these cats for multiple years so unless they have an outdoor cat house (something I have never seen in my life) then I suspect they come inside.

The ratio of cat owners with outdoor cats is irrelevant. They exist and they are common. That’s enough to sink your assertions.

[hunterb123]

> Doesn’t matter, they’re domestic cats and you already explained a circumstance where they could expose visitors and owners

> The ratio of cat owners with outdoor cats is irrelevant.

It's extremely relevant when talking about a large enough scale of infection to support the attractiveness causation hypothesis posed by GP.

> I have seen these cats for multiple years so unless they have an outdoor cat house (something I have never seen in my life)

Outdoor cats generally stay underneath the house / porches, cars, etc. during cold or especially hot weather.

> That’s enough to sink your assertions.

I'm disputing the above proposed hypothesis on the grounds I don't think it's common enough occurrence and we're lacking information.