My cat wants out!!!

Question
Hubby and I found a 4-week old kitten last Thanksgiving near the expressway. We don't have kids or any other pets, so we thought we would keep her. Her name is Grace.

It's been about a year and I have fallen head over heels for my cat and have enjoyed watching her grow. My problem is that she is forever trying to get away. We have a screened in patio, which she sits out on to enjoy the view. I've had to stop her from going on the balcony because she has torn a rip in the screen and tries to get out. I caught her this morning as she was half way through the opening. I tried pulling her in and for the first time saw how determined she was to get out. An hour or so later, as I was putting out the trash, she dashed out of the front door. I literally had to chase her down and it took me a good 15 minutes to get close enough to grab her and bring her back in.

This cat obviously wants out. If she's not trying to jump from the balcony, she's dashing for the door every time it opens. She also sits at the door and cries to go out. I am so torn. I love Lil Gracie but don't want to force her to be in a situation that she doesn't want to be in.

Is it possible to make a feral cat into a domestic cat? Is she ever going to settle down and stop trying to run away? Am I really being fair by keeping her locked in the house when she obviously wants out?

Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
4 weeks is definitely not too late to break the feral in her. Is she spayed? Because that could be why she wants out so bad. Just to let you know, it's okay to be the bad guy and not let her out. I sometimes have to fight with my 9 year old about being outside. She loves it and I'm not against it as long as I know she'll be okay. I have gone to measures including grabbing her by the scruff and tossing her back inside. Is your neighborhood safe for her? You don't have to be torn about it, if you don't want her outside, don't let her. You can incorporate the spray bottle too or throw a loud toy across the room to distract her and give her something else to do.

One thing I'm not going to guarantee is that she will eventually stop trying. But like I said it's okay to be the bad guy about it.