Would he be better off with a feral colony or in a shelter?

[travesty]

I've been taking care of a friends' kitty for a year now. Recently, I moved, and my new roomate no longer wishes to have him around. It's his house, his rules, and unfortunately I can't afford to move again right now. I already had my own cat when this one was bestowed upon me, supposedly only for a week until another friend moved and took him in. Of course, that never happened and I've had him ever since. So one cat is ok with my roomate, but two is too many, and since my commitment is to the one I had beforehand I'm going to have to let this one go.

I've searched high and low to rehome him, all year long in fact, (from the moment I found out the other friend wouldn't take him) but no one I know is interested in a fully grown cat, or knows anyone who is. The friends' mother has offered to take him to a no kill shelter many times, but I just don't have the heart to give him a lifetime prison sentance for doing nothing wrong. Now, it seems, the time has come to hand him over.

The friend is back in town now but he's in jail, for a few months at least. He promised to take him back and rehome him but then he got arrested, and my roomate needs the cat out now, not in a few months when he gets out of jail. I can't lose my home over his irresponsibility.

He's an outdoor/indoor kitty and pretty much only comes inside to eat, and sometimes sleep. We live in a highly urban area and there are many feral colonies around. They are kept by a trap/neuter/release program, so they are supposedly fed by the people in that program as well. I've seen him out and about and I think he might be friends with some of the feral cats, although I can't say for certain. But he definitely spends most of his time out there with them.

So my question is this: What is best for the cat? Shelter or Feral freedom?

Our shelter is gravely over-crowded and most cats there are long term. I have been there searching for my other cat when he disapeared once, and it's not a pretty picture. They can't even get rid of their kittens. The cages are tiny. The cats all look absolutely miserable. For a mostly outdoor cat this would be hell on Earth, esspecially him. I know in my heart he would be much happier being free but homeless.

The pluses to a shelter are that:

1)he'd be safe, and fed
2)he might get adopted, however unlikely that may be
3)the friend might be able to get him out when he gets out of jail

the minuses:

1)he'd be in jail. Probably for life.
2)he'd absolutely miserable. Probably for life.
3)his quality of life would be non-existant.


The pluses to the colony:

1)He would have his freedom
2)He would be much happier
3)Even if he died sooner (which is likely) his life would be a fulfilling one.
4)He could run, excersise, climb, hunt, and play regularly

the minuses:
1)food scarcity, esspecially since he is used to being fed (although he is quite the mouser)
2)fights with other cats, other dangerous situations, risk of illness, and no medical care.
3)exposure to the elements (although there are quite a few abanodoned buildings and colonies)

I know if I had a choice between homelessness and prison, I would choose homelessness. I also know he is accustomed to the feral colonies around the area. He would clearly be happier feral then in that horrid place. At the same time, this could prevent a possible (but unlikely) adoption by either the public or his original owner, after his owner's jail sentance. And of course shorten his life span. But of course, permanant sheltering would be the counterbalance to that, and life in prison is much worse then life on the streets. And yes the cat is neutered.

I could slowly move the cat bowl outside and start closing the window, maybe leaving food out for him for the long term. Over time maybe he would get the hang of it. The other option is the shelter.

Opinions?

[Skimble]

I'm so very sorry you are going through this. Would the room mate consider you confining the cat or both cats to your room? In my opinion that would be the best situation. That way maybe his original owner can take him later. A few months is really a short time.

I personally have not seen a new cat allowed to stay in an existing feral colony. Even though you say they are "friendly" your male cat has not been living with them having to share food and territory. The issue of territory is major in feral colonies.

They may fight him in order to exclude him from their territory. Then he will suffer infections from bite wounds and possibly starve. Being in cat prison might be better than suffering. Most cats will adjust to the environment.

A cat cannot provide enough food for themselves by being a good mouser.

I help take care of 3 colonies in my area. All are spay/neutered and vetted. One cat visited a colony that was close by. They were all friendly with each other and she was buddies with a few. When we brought food the colony cats would chase the visitor cat away.

Have you contacted any of the people that take care of or feed the feral colonies? Maybe they know someone that might foster him while waiting on the original owner. You could offer to help pay for his food.

Others will be along and maybe have some helpful advice. Wishing you and especially the cat that you obviously love so much the best.

[travesty]

Thanks for your advice!

Unfortunately my room is not a room, it's just a loft with a partial dividing wall, so there's no way to keep him in here.

I think the idea of a foster home is a really good one. I will have to look into that.

It's good to hear about feral cat dynamics from someone that knows them a little bit better then I do, I would hate to have the cat suffer like that. He's pretty skidish at times and I think if the other cats chased him away that's exactly what would happen.

I'm still considering maybe providing food for him on the outside of the window sill (it's a very tall window high up on a wall where other cats never come along, and I'm pretty sure that spot has been established as their territory already). It's basicly the "cat" entrance for our house. But it would be so mean to lock him out there...

I guess the best bet might be fostering. Maybe I will find something. Thanks!

[StefanZ]

You are in a desperate situation. A contemporary version of the Homeros story of Odysseus, and the two terrible dangers on his way, Scylla and Charybdis and him in between them...

Of these two evil alternative you wrote about, I think letting him live outside is almost the more hopeful. HERE he would have some chance of being adopted by someone. Ferale cats do get adopted sometimes, so he would have better chance...
Im writing this because you tell he is very experienced roaming outside, and also good chaser.

But as the jewish saying is: of two bad choices, take the third choice.

Ie the best is if YOU can find him a home, or at least someone who will mind him.
Another possiblility as you mention in your second post, you can have him as an outside kitty of sorts. Giving him food, keeping an eye on him and helping with wounds, parasites and diseases, as long you afford. Perhaps even preparing some shelter for him...
No grandiose life, but a cat used to be outside will survive.


Good luck!

[icklemiss21]

I second that he would not be integrated into the feral colony, especially as winter approaches and food is more scarce. For a non-feral he will find it hard to fight through the hierarchy of the colony. I have had the same experiences as Skimble when cats were introduced to my local colony - they either are picked up as starving strays or they don't survive (whether natural causes or fighting with the ferals).

Personally, any strays I find that are not true ferals go to the shelter, but my no kill shelter has few long termers and a great adoption rate so its easier for me to make that choice.

[Willowy]

Is keeping his as an outside pet an option? As in, YOU feed him, vet him, give him a warm cat house to sleep in, but he doesn't come inside? That would be preferable to just leaving him to the feral colony.

[strange_wings]

What methods have you used to try to rehome him? Have you tried any cat rescues? At least to find out if they can give you some advice. Posted notices at vet and petshops/petsupply stores? What about online social networks? Facebook, myspace, even asking people here to help if you're willing to share more details and pictures of the cat.

[TJN66]

Take him to the shelter. He is not going to be able to take care of himself totally if left alone. He is dependent on you for food, shelter and attention. It sucks...believe me I understand.

Cats that are left out are subject to all kinds of dangerous situations. In the shelter he would have a chance at getting adopted, food, shelter and some attention.

And with winter coming...he just may not survive outside on his own.

[Bob'sMom]

Please don't put him with a feral colony. My Bob was a stray who fell in with a feral colony and was beaten up pretty badly by the time I got him. Even though he's a Maine Coon mix and has some size he was no match for the tougher toms. There are people who adopt older cats - I'm one of them! So don't give up hope if you have to bring him to a shelter.

[icklemiss21]

There are people who adopt all kinds of cats, we have people who walk in and ask to see our longest term resident or least adoptable cat because they need a home most.

A woman yesterday read an article about low black cat adoptions so made up her mind to get a black cat

We have no problems adopting out special needs cats either

[otto]

Originally Posted by TJN66

Take him to the shelter. He is not going to be able to take care of himself totally if left alone. He is dependent on you for food, shelter and attention. It sucks...believe me I understand.

Cats that are left out are subject to all kinds of dangerous situations. In the shelter he would have a chance at getting adopted, food, shelter and some attention.

And with winter coming...he just may not survive outside on his own.

Originally Posted by Bob'sMom

Please don't put him with a feral colony. My Bob was a stray who fell in with a feral colony and was beaten up pretty badly by the time I got him. Even though he's a Maine Coon mix and has some size he was no match for the tougher toms. There are people who adopt older cats - I'm one of them! So don't give up hope if you have to bring him to a shelter.

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

There are people who adopt all kinds of cats, we have people who walk in and ask to see our longest term resident or least adoptable cat because they need a home most.

A woman yesterday read an article about low black cat adoptions so made up her mind to get a black cat

We have no problems adopting out special needs cats either

these are my opinions also, though my heart is breaking for this poor unwanted kitty cat.

[marinewife05]

As others have suggested in other threads. Have you checked with any local nursing homes? Sometimes they have resident cats. Or call some local vets they too have resident cats.

I agree trying to introduce him into a feral colony may prove to be futile.

Good luck with whatever you choose.