History Main / FreeRangePets

* Very common with housecats, but virtually unheard of with other pets (at least the ones that don't double as farm animals). While inside cats are common, especially in modern day, it's equally, if not even more common, to see housecats wander around freely, especially in suburban or rural areas. Free-range cats are also more accepted because they keep rat populations down.

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--> -- ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'', "Where's Perry: Part 2"

There is some TruthInTelevision to this. Many people let their cats roam unsupervised. Outside cats often stray far from home.

--> -- ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb''

* Bailey from ''Literature/ADogsPurpose'' is allowed to wander around town when his family isn't home. As Bear/Buddy, he still does this, however he's treated with more caution. People eventually begin to notice the sickly, collar-less dog who plays in the dog park unsupervised and they call animal rescue. This is likely due to SocietyMarchesOn, as Bailey he lived in the 1950s/1960s, while Buddy was alive during the 2000s/2010s.

There is ValuesDissonance to this trope and whether it should be portrayed negatively/positively or not. In some areas, even dogs are allowed to walk around, but in others it's disapproved of, if not outright illegal. In the North Americas most animal welfare groups and cat experts believes that cats should exclusively be inside cats; that it's both abusive and bad for the environment if cats are left outside unattended. In the UK, however, the opposite is true and it's abusive to keep cats inside constantly. Australia has a middle ground: letting your cats outside is a good thing, as long as it's daylight (because cats, being an invasive species and predator, are a danger to the environment at night).

* Very common with housecats, but virtually unheard of with other pets (atleast the ones that don't double as farm animals). While inside cats are common, especially in modern day, it's equally, if not even more common, to see housecats wander around freely, especially in suburban or rural areas. Free-range cats are also more accepted because they keep rat populations down.