HELP, need to know what

to do with a big orange cat. My friend called me last night to borrow my have a heart trap to catch a pretty white cat that is around her apartment complex.

To make a long story short, we caught the wrong one. This is a tough looking male who she has seen for the last couple years. She says lots of people have tried to catch him and she was releived we had caught him.

But he is feral, probably has health issues, bits of his ears are missing, you guys know how it is. She wants to take him to the SPCA and I know it is a death sentence for him. I brought him home to keep overnight in our garage as she has no place for him. He is still in the trap with a box, and food, covered partially with a tarp so he has a little place to feel secure. He does not seem mean, just scared.

What should we do....part of me says to take him back and let him go, another says that is not the life for him. It's going to get cold here soon. Oh I hate this.....I cried myself to sleep and am crying now.

Please any suggestions. Its 5 am here how and she will be here at 8. I know she will listen to my opinion. I was thinking TNR, but then he is back to that awful life.

Thanks so much.

so he is whole tom as yet?
TNR is of course a way if you dont have anything else. Surely better than pts.

But if you DO have possibilites so.... Althogh fostering of a grown up semiferale / ferale does takes time and effort, so you know... It IS possible, but it is not easy and takes lotsa time.
It may be easier IF he is sick, and he knows it...

So, I agree with you. PTS unless he is very ill or otherways in a totally hopeless situation, is a very bad solution.

TNR, isnt so bad. He did already managed two years, so he is a survivor. And especielly if you have some possiblility to help him - we will manage OK.

Best, although most difficult, is to proceed on with neutering - and fostering him.
After neutering and the necessary quarantene period + fall of the hormone halts, you can prob have some help by your residents too.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by StefanZ

so he is whole tom as yet?
TNR is of course a way if you dont have anything else. Surely better than pts.

But if you DO have possibilites so.... Althogh fostering of a grown up semiferale / ferale does takes time and effort, so you know... It IS possible, but it is not easy and takes lotsa time.
It may be easier IF he is sick, and he knows it...

So, I agree with you. PTS unless he is very ill or otherways in a totally hopeless situation, is a very bad solution.

TNR, isnt so bad. He did already managed two years, so he is a survivor. And especielly if you have some possiblility to help him - we will manage OK.

Best, although most difficult, is to proceed on with neutering - and fostering him.
After neutering and the necessary quarantene period + fall of the hormone halts, you can prob have some help by your residents too.

Good luck!

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Thanks for your support and info. I think I am going to try to convince her to do the TNR for this kitty. Actually, it could be a female, couldn't get a good look last night and this am just as difficult.

Calling the lady at TNR at 8 am to see when next clinic is. I can foster him in my barn until then.

These things just break my heart. But like you say, he is a survivor. And I know my friend will feed him. Still.....

Thanks again StefanZ

I too think TNR is the best option here hun. It really is better than the alternative, and once neutered, he shouldn't be inclined to fight so much and get so beaten up. Having him neutered should make a much more peaceful life for him, and he'll find food. He's done so thus far. Thanks you SO much for helping this baby hun.

Originally Posted by Kailie

I too think TNR is the best option here hun. It really is better than the alternative, and once neutered, he shouldn't be inclined to fight so much and get so beaten up. Having him neutered should make a much more peaceful life for him, and he'll find food. He's done so thus far.

Thanks you SO much for helping this baby hun.

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Thanks Kailie, My friend is on her way here, and is concerned about the coyote problem where she lives. One tried to get her cat through the window.

That is a terrible fate for a kitty, just a sitting duck for this coyote. Sigh.

Can he be TNRd and released where you live instead? To "rehome" ferals, they're usually TNRd and then kept in a large cage/crate for about 3 weeks and fed at regular times so they learn to stick around and make the new area their territory.... don't know if you want to take on his feeding. But wanted to throw that out there as an idea.

Originally Posted by Kailie

I too think TNR is the best option here hun. It really is better than the alternative, and once neutered, he shouldn't be inclined to fight so much and get so beaten up. Having him neutered should make a much more peaceful life for him, and he'll find food. He's done so thus far.

Thanks you SO much for helping this baby hun.

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So well put Kailie. I agree. I know it breaks your heart because you want him/her to have a better life, but this may be the only life he's known...but with your love and patience anything is possible!!

Originally Posted by LDG

Can he be TNRd and released where you live instead? To "rehome" ferals, they're usually TNRd and then kept in a large cage/crate for about 3 weeks and fed at regular times so they learn to stick around and make the new area their territory.... don't know if you want to take on his feeding. But wanted to throw that out there as an idea.

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I live on busy road....don't think he'd make it here. Such a mess. Since I posted earlier, my friend talked to some people at her apartment complex. He definately is an intact male. He attacked a stray female (the one we were originally trying to capture). Obviously trying to mate. People have seen him for 5 years in the area, in blizzards and sub zero cold. Honestly, I don't know what to do. She is on her way back over after talking to all these people. I think she is leaning toward "SPCA. Her heart is broken too. I told her my feelings and she is of like mind. She is just so worried about the coyote and that is "no way to die, cold and at the mercy of this preditor". UGH.....this was going to be such a nice day too.

Have a headache now too, to go with the heart ache.

Originally Posted by Bellaandme

So well put Kailie. I agree. I know it breaks your heart because you want him/her to have a better life, but this may be the only life he's known...but with your love and patience anything is possible!!

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Thanks for the kind words...I sure need them. I am trying not to get attached and am keeping my distance while talking to him.

I know how you all feel....I feel the same. He hasn't eaten very much and is stressed I know. I had a new cage all set up in case she decides to TNR. She should be here any minute. I just want to cry. I wish wi lived in a high rise apartment in the city and never knew anything of animals.

They have broken my heart so many times. I wish I didn't care.

If he did make out even 5 years out, with coyotes and blizzards and all, so he apparently does manage this!!!

In such a case it is a shame AND a sin to pts such a cat, because "you feel sorry for him".

If you necessary must pts any cat, so it should be cats who do NOT manage the situation - say abandoned cats slowly dying off, and there is no other possibility to help them. None.

Do this TNR. And if your friend doesnt manages to help him with the daily living, she dont need to bother.


Come back in 5 years, when he begans to be older and perhaps not so moveably any longer... But first in 5 years.


I do forbid leaving him into this end station. I do forbid.

Well, here is the deal. He peed and it was blood. We took him to our vet and he discovered a mass in his abdomen. sigh.

It has been a frightfull day. The vet recommended pts. I have seen this before in one of my own cats and there was nothing to be done.

He did not suffer, the last thing he knew in this world was kindness.

This all happened on the 2nd anniversary of the passing of my Baby K (baby kitten) even tho he was 14 when he died. He was also an orange fellow.

I hope they are together at the bridge. Thanks for everyones responses. Sometimes it is out of our control, but what brought us to that spot last night? Trying to trap one cat and getting another sick one. It kind of makes you think does it not?

Please say a prayer if you are inclined for this dear fellow. Again, thanks so much.

RIP, brave cat-man. You did survived a loong time fighting successfully against severe odds, but the Death did found you anyway...

At least you did died with your cojones on.


RIP

That poor boy. He'll definitely be in my prayers, as will you. I'm sorry this didn't have a happier outcome, but at least he knew kindness at the end thanks to you and is now at peace. Bless you for caring.

Originally Posted by eilcon

That poor boy. He'll definitely be in my prayers, as will you.

I'm sorry this didn't have a happier outcome, but at least he knew kindness at the end thanks to you and is now at peace. Bless you for caring.

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Amen. Eileen is right. Play happily at the Rainbow Bridge, orange boy!

Originally Posted by StefanZ

RIP, brave cat-man. You did survived a loong time fighting successfully against severe odds, but the Death did found you anyway...

At least you did died with your cojones on.

RIP

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Thanks so much for your advice. Yes, he did die with them. I managed a smile when I read that.

Originally Posted by eilcon

That poor boy. He'll definitely be in my prayers, as will you.

I'm sorry this didn't have a happier outcome, but at least he knew kindness at the end thanks to you and is now at peace. Bless you for caring.

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I think it is important to have kindness and love surround an animal or person at the end. I think it means more than we will ever know.

Thanks for the kind words. This caring is pretty hard on the heart, but I guess I am doomed to do it till I die.

Originally Posted by AddieBee

Amen. Eileen is right. Play happily at the Rainbow Bridge, orange boy!

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I sure hope he is rolling in catnip. He wasn't interested in it when I gave him some earlier.

I picture him with a "smile" on his face.

Thanks for the kind words, they're really appreciated and needed.

I'm so sorry this happened. I cried just reading about it. We've been lucky enough that all the cast/dogs we've ever found have been healthy or have minor problems we've been able to help ourselves (mom knows a lot of home remedies thank god!). You've done a wonderful job by helping him and being there in the end. It's hard but it's better than him dying alone out on the street. You are very precious for helping animals. I send lots of love your way.

I am so sorry for what happened to this poor kitty, but am so happy for him that you found him, gave him some love and care, and he didn't have to suffer. Imagine him outside getting sicker and becoming defenseless, that would be cruel.

You were an angel to care for him as you did. And I hope you can catch the white cat soon and get her taken care of.

Originally Posted by mailyn

I'm so sorry this happened. I cried just reading about it. We've been lucky enough that all the cast/dogs we've ever found have been healthy or have minor problems we've been able to help ourselves (mom knows a lot of home remedies thank god!). You've done a wonderful job by helping him and being there in the end. It's hard but it's better than him dying alone out on the street. You are very precious for helping animals. I send lots of love your way.

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I wouldn't have been able to live with myself knowing he was ill and out in the snow. UGH, I wish I could save them all.

I hope your luck with your cats continues..what would we do without our moms?

Thanks for the kind words. I need them now.