We've had maybe 20 cats over the last 20-something years. Half that time was in a top-floor flat in central Edinburgh and the later half was in a village out of town with the cats free to come and go through a catflap.

We only lost cats from the city flat. Cats are very good at sneaking out any time a door or window is open, and a cat that doesn't know the neighbourhood is much less likely to find its way back home.