My cat...the best in the entire world ....was adopted from the shelter as a kitten. My daughter wanted one at the time and we picked him out together. He had to stay home alone for some of the day. At least six hours. We trained him from day one....with the aid of a squirt bottle. He never, ever ever went potty outside his litter box. He never destroyed anything we didn't let him destroy. Never had a problem with him.
Also there are play cages you can buy if you're that paranoid.
No one would have a pet if as some of you suggested, if they have a job.
That's just silly to me.
Happily though, our legislators just passed a bill that makes it a crime to have your dog TIED up for 10 hours.
Also...older cat's come with their own set of habits, some hard to break. Not that you couldn't find one compatible. Just sayin'.