I'm sorry you had to go through that...poor kitty.

I will say that there are very good reasons that people let cats outdoors in rural areas including the expectation that they will chase the birds from eating the seeds we've planted and the berries and grapes that we grow. Without cats, we'd have a huge rodent problem in and around our property, our out-buildings (where we store feed) and our home. Our cat has a job to do and locking him in our house would not allow him to do it. That said, certain precautions should be taken with outdoor cats and not doing so is very irresponsible. Even though farm cats spend most, if not all, of their time outside, they should still be cared for like the family members that they are and I know a lot of rural residents don't bother. THAT annoys me.

I can't speak for urban or suburban areas.