Well Rusty,

One of my cats is nuts and wont stay in at all. Even when we move house within 6 hrs the cat is climbing up the walls to get out.

So if you need to let the cat out make sure you are with Hobbs first, dont feed him so he will readily come home for food. Put some of his used cat litter in the garden so he knows its his marked territory. Show him this.

Let him go and explore ie next door whenever, after 10/15 mins call him back for food time, so he can find his way home via your voice .

Ive always done it this way and never lost a cat yet.

Dawn