Q: My husband is wheelchair-bound and I was thinking a cat might be some company for him. Does a cat have to be either indoors or outdoors or can it be both? _M.C.

A: Wonderful idea and great question. Cats often feel compelled to care for challenged people. I hope you will take your husband to a local shelter to pick a social butterfly. That would be a cat that sticks his paws through the cage to get your attention and wants you to handle him.

Then, by all means, give him a safe and happy home inside and never let him outdoors again. Cats that roam outdoors live only about two years, according to the Humane Society of the United States. The dangers out there include death by disease, human and animal predators, car collisions, toxic exposure from chemically treated lawns and worse. Wildlife benefits when cats are kept indoors, too. Please keep in touch.