Is this being cruel to my cats?

I would say it depends on several factors. These factors being: is the basement comfortable?, is it warm?, do they always have food and water?, do they have a place to go to the bathroom?, does someone play with them regularly?, do they get ANY time outside of their cages?. Depending on how you answer these questions, it may or may not be humane treatment.

It is cruel, you can't keep cats in a cage....I would take the cats out and put the husband in the cage...

I remember my parents threatened that if we didn't have our cats de-clawed, they wouldn't be allowed to run freely in our home either. It turned out that we wouldn't be allowed to move into the furnished apartment unless I had my cats de-calwed, so we ended up doing it (as much as I didn't want to). What is the reason your cats aren't allowed upstairs? Is it because their claws could wreck things? If this is the case, I would say that it's less cruel to declaw them and let them run freely, than it is to keep them in a cage.

I think it is. At least put their cage in a warm room in the house and I hope it's a big cage and give them toys to play with. I don't really like cats, but I still wouldn't leave them in a basement in a cage all the time.

yes i think it is, I'm a big cat lover and could not imagine keeping them in a cage, cats are vary free and independent animals and should be allowed to roam, its in there nature. If i was you i would try to find them a good home.

No way I have a lot of cats and they are like my kids I mean you wouldnt leave your kids in a basement yea some people would say o there just cats but they need love and attention and not to be lock in a cage down in the basement.. do they stay in the cage all day long? how many do you have? my husband build my cats a screen in porch and they love it they don't just stay in there though. I would tell him no way and do what you won't no matter what I do they are my babies.

I just prefer to not have cats. I think that keeping them in a cage is probably not good for them. I don't have cats because of several reasons: I am allergic to them, they tear up things in the house and shed a lot. So I just prefer to have some other kinds of animals.

while they are little and until they are trained you may have to do that. that doesn't really sound mean, but if they are used to being around you, they probably miss that.

eventhough i dont have any pets i dont think i would let them stay in the cage all day.Do you all let them out any?

I think its mean :( I'm from new Zealand and I don't like the Australian rules for cats, they prefer that they be kept inside so they don't kill any of the wildlife - including possums which are a bloody pest in NZ and my neighbour used to have a trap to kill them! I think cats are naturaly an outdoor animal (as well as indoor) and need to be able to chase birds and things every now and then!

yesssssssssssss

I don't think its much a life for them to have to spend their days in cages. :(

That is cruel!! Your cats need a room or a place in the house where they can roam. Keeping them caged is cruel.

what a cruel husband:( why he didn't like the cat's? that's he are not allowing them to go upstairs? pity kittie2x:( and it's not good to heard as a cat lovers that you put it on the cage it's too horrible for me ma'am it's too bad:( or just give it to me ma'am im the one who take care of them, because my lovely dog here his name puchie all his playmates are cat's.. he he he the name of there mother is dubha, and father is rico and the rest beauty, naughty,lucy and kc:) he he he

hmm maybe suggest getting a larger kennel, If you have to keep them couped out one with plenty of space so they can run and play... I can understand having them in a cage sometimes, but not all the time.... Is is safe to let them roam around the basement without a cage? ... You may want to think about that a well. - DNatureofDTrain

Personal I hate whewn women say thier husband won't allow something they are not your parent they are your partner you have eqaul say in the house it belongs to both of you not just him .I cann't understand the idea of a partner not allowing something thats just crazy .They are your cats it is your house talk to him tell him this would be concedered abuse by any human society and that you want them lose if he loves you he well .Personly I would of never agreed to put them in the cage to begain with and told him to take a hick and he would be camping on the sofa the cats in the bed with me .

If there any way the cats could have free roam of at least the basement? Keeping them in a cage 24 hours a day, seven days a week has got to be driving your cats crazy. Cats need to have some exercise and be able to play some. They need companionship. It sounds like the basement is warm, has light and could be fixed into a comfortable cat room. I love cats and I just could not keep them confined in a cage for such an extended time frame.