Something wrong w/my feral cat - CONCLUSION

I don't think that you can let him out before wound is healed, after that it gets little more complicated.

Cats are curious, they love to explore, but on other hand domestic cat is not part of nature, they have no place in ecosystem, also it is bad for their health to get all kind of pests etc. Also there are injuries and such to consider.

In Africa, there lives African Wildcat, that is not much different from domestic cat, but it is part of ecosystem, it has enemies and it has food, nature has adapted to it, when we introduce new species in our local environment it creates a small disaster, which surely will get balanced over time.

Of course many areas there already are many free roaming felines, but adding new one is just disturbing balance.

In nature balance is found via death, if there are too many predators they starve to death and there is no boundaries between species, if cats eat lot of mice, then owls and other predators eating mice are suffering too, only the ones with best genes will survive and breed new generations, but sadly it means many will suffer and many will die.

So letting cat roam free is not choice where we can look only cat, but whole world around the cat, it is part of responsibility to understand bigger picture, imo.

Australia and rabbits is perhaps one of the best examples what happens when there is no any balancing species, rabbits breed, there were no enemies so they did multiply to millions very quickly, eating food from original species, they are still fighting with the problem even mistake did happen before steam power.

Of course with single kitty and if spayed/neutered issue is nothing comparable, but it is good to note that even one kitty is eating from table of original species on that area.

This all in mind, I have come to conclusion that any domestic cat that is living outside, should be in cage or otherwise limited area only, but I have not quite settled my mind on this, however this seems most logical to me with info I currently have.

Perhaps this is not much of help, but maybe it gives some new thoughts, anyway I hope you can find solutions that pleases you and which kitty can live by too

It is bit similar to my Mauku cat, she too has spend lot of her life living wild outside and it has not been even a year that I have known of her as she moved to live at my warehouse.

However it is same thing I'm thinking, to let out or not, logically I should not, but it is not going to be easy for her to adjusting indoor life, so am I able to handle that, I don't know yet.

Anyway indoor life is best for cat, outdoor life takes many years off from their life, but making indoor life enough good for cat's mind, there lies some problems, with one cat alone, it might be difficult, but with several they are perhaps adjusting lot better as there is much more activities for them.

Even I can feel how it would be 'nicer' to cat have whole world to explore, feeling itself can't control what is best, feeling can give some information, but good decision should be based on logic, well that is at least what I believe and I try to go by that, however it is not always easiest thing to do.

I'm thinking that as I took three cats off from streets and from nature, I'm perhaps helping bit of local wildlife too, or maybe it is just something which makes decision easier, I don't know, human mind is rather complex at the times

I think I just posted to you on your other thread about this But will add again, I think if you just try to deal with the adjustment period for Freckles, he will come to love his indoor, safe new life. Love, food, and toys and you attention is all he will need, plus some playtime of course. Freckles will in time adjust to being an indoor cat and it will be a much safer life for him

I'm so happy to hear that Freckles is feeling better!! I'm sure you are relieved as well knowing that he is ok!

As far as your question as to whether to let him back outside or not, I think is really up to you. You obviously care a great deal about this little guy. You and Freckles have a very strong bond to each other.

When asking myself the same question as to what was best for Luna, I too was afraid that I was taking away her freedom, but when I thought of how she came to be in my house in the first place, I realized that it was not safe for her to be outside.

Its been almost a month and a half since Luna has been hiding behind a mirror in my office. I know she is safe, warm, dry, has food and water, etc. She is just now beginning to trust me more and more everyday and if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. I made the decision that I thought was best.

You have done and are doing a wonderful thing for Freckles and I'm sure you too will make the decision that is best for you and Freckles.

Wishing you and Freckles lots of Love and Luck!!