Lucky,I agree with you,putting any animal in a cage for the whole day is cruel,but it seems to be the thing to do nowadays..
When I had my dogs,there was no such thing as putting a dog in a crate.I can see using it as a safe place for the dog,his own place with the door open.
I am not asking for a crate to leave my cats in,just something better than I have,I have to start chasing my cats half an hour before going to the vet,just the sight of the carrier and they are gone