So glad I found this site, thank you all for so much knowledge!
My dilemma: Do I try to trap my ten year-old, neutered male and relocate to a FULLY indoor setting in high rise or continue to feed and care for him at my old apartment complex? Seems like a no brainer, but I have gotten such conflicting advice from HS and Urban Pet League, though both wonderful to assist me.
"Bunny" and four 3 week old sibs were dumped on my property (huge and lovely gated apartment complex in Fort Lauderdale in 2003). The management office sensed I was a cat fan and new to FL, so they asked if I could take in lieu of HS, which may have had to euthanize. Did not want pets, as I was just moved in, but saw those adorable faces in a cage on the tile floor, so scared.
Looking back, I should have asked but never had done this...I did not separate and Bunny really did not allow anyone to touch him, so I kept him. I had all kitties spay/neutered and vaccinated back then. I LOVE this boy! I had cat doors installed each time I moved within the SAME complex, forced due to renovations...He always followed. He is not a hunter but loves to prowl outside late, after dogs and other humans are inside. He eats inside, Fancy Feast and Meow Mix. He accepts treats, often I can put right in front of, occasionally he will take from my hand. He loves me to pet and scratch his head, neck, tummy and inside his ears! Wicked mites, regardless of Frontline. He purrs and seems me out when I come home from work. He sleeps under my bed, on a huge couch or on the patio chair, loves the heat, like me. When family visits once a year, he stays outside completely! Only my mom will he sort of deal with, but she has to ignore him!
In December my mom became ill and I decided to move back to Upstate NY and figured I could trap him and transport him, please don't ask what was I thinking
It was awful...I tried closing off his cat door but he freaked and meowed, tried to tear down blinds...I felt bad for the neighbors and then wondered how he'd ever get into a carrier, less the 1600 mile ride.
I paid a neighbor to feed him, was told by a pet agency that cats are territorial and relocating to that climate from his landscaped paradise on FL would be too much trauma?
Anyway, after two weeks of tears and missing what now I know as a "semi-feral" cat, I returned and am living on the 4th floor of a high-rise, across a busy street from the old complex. I visit Bunny 1-2 times per day, but starting new job hopefully, so that will be less. He looks good, RACES to me when I call for him, 700 tenants, so I need to be rather discreet in leaving food. The fleas are a concern...I truly cannot see him in this high rise. Just socializing could create issues with neighbors and I do think he'd be very agitated a reactive...Foolishly, three days ago, I attempted to use a towel and then put him in a carrier I had all set. Those claws truly are weapons and though I adore him, yes he can do harm, out of fear.
I have tried to rent back at the old complex, but they were bought out by JP Morgan and now way out of my price range as single professional.
Folks...What to do. I cry each time I leave, he seems ok, but what after two or three months outside? Vet thinks he is happier out, long as I feed and visit, daily. I think my bond to him is an issue too...Thank you!!
My dilemma: Do I try to trap my ten year-old, neutered male and relocate to a FULLY indoor setting in high rise or continue to feed and care for him at my old apartment complex? Seems like a no brainer, but I have gotten such conflicting advice from HS and Urban Pet League, though both wonderful to assist me.
"Bunny" and four 3 week old sibs were dumped on my property (huge and lovely gated apartment complex in Fort Lauderdale in 2003). The management office sensed I was a cat fan and new to FL, so they asked if I could take in lieu of HS, which may have had to euthanize. Did not want pets, as I was just moved in, but saw those adorable faces in a cage on the tile floor, so scared.
Looking back, I should have asked but never had done this...I did not separate and Bunny really did not allow anyone to touch him, so I kept him. I had all kitties spay/neutered and vaccinated back then. I LOVE this boy! I had cat doors installed each time I moved within the SAME complex, forced due to renovations...He always followed. He is not a hunter but loves to prowl outside late, after dogs and other humans are inside. He eats inside, Fancy Feast and Meow Mix. He accepts treats, often I can put right in front of, occasionally he will take from my hand. He loves me to pet and scratch his head, neck, tummy and inside his ears! Wicked mites, regardless of Frontline. He purrs and seems me out when I come home from work. He sleeps under my bed, on a huge couch or on the patio chair, loves the heat, like me. When family visits once a year, he stays outside completely! Only my mom will he sort of deal with, but she has to ignore him!
In December my mom became ill and I decided to move back to Upstate NY and figured I could trap him and transport him, please don't ask what was I thinking
It was awful...I tried closing off his cat door but he freaked and meowed, tried to tear down blinds...I felt bad for the neighbors and then wondered how he'd ever get into a carrier, less the 1600 mile ride.
I paid a neighbor to feed him, was told by a pet agency that cats are territorial and relocating to that climate from his landscaped paradise on FL would be too much trauma?
Anyway, after two weeks of tears and missing what now I know as a "semi-feral" cat, I returned and am living on the 4th floor of a high-rise, across a busy street from the old complex. I visit Bunny 1-2 times per day, but starting new job hopefully, so that will be less. He looks good, RACES to me when I call for him, 700 tenants, so I need to be rather discreet in leaving food. The fleas are a concern...I truly cannot see him in this high rise. Just socializing could create issues with neighbors and I do think he'd be very agitated a reactive...Foolishly, three days ago, I attempted to use a towel and then put him in a carrier I had all set. Those claws truly are weapons and though I adore him, yes he can do harm, out of fear.
I have tried to rent back at the old complex, but they were bought out by JP Morgan and now way out of my price range as single professional.
Folks...What to do. I cry each time I leave, he seems ok, but what after two or three months outside? Vet thinks he is happier out, long as I feed and visit, daily. I think my bond to him is an issue too...Thank you!!
