Ok, guys, I really need some advice. I'm pretty sure what the answer is and what advice I'd give someone else, but am not entirely objective about things.
Since May, I've socialized/fostered 10 feral kittens for the rescue I volunteer with (not all at one time). As of Friday, all but two have been adopted. Those two, sweet but still rather shy buff boys, are now back at the rescue awaiting their forever homes.
The spare room is now empty and I'm in the position to foster again, but the question is who. I had hoped to bring the big, black neutered male, Louie, a neighborhood stray that I've been feeding for three years, in for the winter. Louie has come a long way in learning to trust me, but is still very jumpy and hasn't shown any signs of wanting to come in. He's well fed, has shelter and was recently at the vet where he was deemed healthy and had his shots updated.
The rescue is overwhelmed right now due to a couple of emergency situations in which we took cats in that we normally wouldn't. This includes a number of cats who were abandoned at a house near my feral colony. We've taken in eight of the 14 cats so far and literally have no space left. Of the six remaining at the house, only one is friendly. We're looking at relocating the cats to a barn situation as they're at risk where they are now.
Then, there's the feral colony where we've been doing TNR all summer. 35 cats have been fixed to date. They adults have been returned to the colony where they are being well-cared for by the employees. The kittens have been socialized and adopted out. We thought all the kittens have been trapped, but just learned there are at least two more who are young enough to be socialized. We have a number of volunteers who love to foster kittens, but not as many who are willing to take on the feral babies.
Let's face it. Louie's ok for now and there are other cats in need. But, my heart is with Louie. I want him inside where he's safe and warm. The director of the rescue is encouraging me to bring him in, but I know she'd jump at the chance for me foster another cat/kitten too. Also, I'm not sure if Louie's ready. I'm afraid if I forcibly bring him in (ie shoving him in a cat carrier and letting him go in the spare room), I'm going to damage the trust I've built with him and end up with a traumatized cat in the spare room who's chances for adoption are limited.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
Since May, I've socialized/fostered 10 feral kittens for the rescue I volunteer with (not all at one time). As of Friday, all but two have been adopted. Those two, sweet but still rather shy buff boys, are now back at the rescue awaiting their forever homes.
The spare room is now empty and I'm in the position to foster again, but the question is who. I had hoped to bring the big, black neutered male, Louie, a neighborhood stray that I've been feeding for three years, in for the winter. Louie has come a long way in learning to trust me, but is still very jumpy and hasn't shown any signs of wanting to come in. He's well fed, has shelter and was recently at the vet where he was deemed healthy and had his shots updated.
The rescue is overwhelmed right now due to a couple of emergency situations in which we took cats in that we normally wouldn't. This includes a number of cats who were abandoned at a house near my feral colony. We've taken in eight of the 14 cats so far and literally have no space left. Of the six remaining at the house, only one is friendly. We're looking at relocating the cats to a barn situation as they're at risk where they are now.
Then, there's the feral colony where we've been doing TNR all summer. 35 cats have been fixed to date. They adults have been returned to the colony where they are being well-cared for by the employees. The kittens have been socialized and adopted out. We thought all the kittens have been trapped, but just learned there are at least two more who are young enough to be socialized. We have a number of volunteers who love to foster kittens, but not as many who are willing to take on the feral babies.
Let's face it. Louie's ok for now and there are other cats in need. But, my heart is with Louie. I want him inside where he's safe and warm. The director of the rescue is encouraging me to bring him in, but I know she'd jump at the chance for me foster another cat/kitten too. Also, I'm not sure if Louie's ready. I'm afraid if I forcibly bring him in (ie shoving him in a cat carrier and letting him go in the spare room), I'm going to damage the trust I've built with him and end up with a traumatized cat in the spare room who's chances for adoption are limited.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
. I have been in that situation as well. Do I take in an outside feral who is well fed, receives vet care, is happy and healthy or do I take in a really desperate kitty who needs socializing or one that needs a break from the shelter life or as in your situation, these cats at this house who are at risk and have been abandoned. It is a difficult place to be in. There was a feral from my colony that I was planning on bringing in once my foster room opened up. But, unfortunately, he disappeared completely, never to return. Really broke my heart. I am only telling you what you already know anyway, that Louie could be gone tomorrow. Just want you to be prepared that if you DO decide to leave Louie be, don't beat yourself up as I did about my feral gone missing if Louie goes missing. It is a possibility. But in all likelihood, he won't go missing and he will be just fine living outside as he has for the last three years, happily and free. It could be a risk losing trust to bring him in, especially if he is not showing you any signs of wanting the indoor life. It is really impossible to say which way it would go unless you tried. But..... does he want that 
Maybe not, some feral's never adapt to the indoor life and some do rather quickly. If you did bring him in and he got so very stressed and you released him back outside, he might disappear for a few days, but I think he would be back and totally forgive you, or even bond more strongly with you. You never know which way that could go.
