Cats Cats and More Cats

I feel as thought I am on the brink of going crazy.  I am trying to manage taking care of my outdoor now semi feral, Shadow, my every once in awhile visitor, Patches, Marvin the stray I just took in who is upstairs in a safe room and my 2 indoor pets, Jake and Misty.  A week ago a black cat began to frequent my deck.  It was coming numerous times a night looking for food.  It came as early as 8pm and I still had Shadow's food out.  It keeps coming looking for food and has even gotten into my grill.  The cat ignores Shadow and Shadow ignores the cat.  Yet, I am at my limit.  There is no place to take this cat.  Every rescue is full.  I cannot cannot take on another animal. 

Then last evening, my neighbors bully male cat had gotten out.  My neighbor is gone alot and has pet sitters come to stay with her massive brood of 2 large dogs and 4 cats.  Some of the cats come in and out.  One of them is just awful.  He attacked Marvin in early May when my neighbor was gone and the sitter left him out.  Now last evening, he got Shadow.  Shadow was under the deck and this cat had been hanging around my yard all day.  He bit Shadow on the back side.  Shadow is my baby and is so meek.  I wish with all of my heart he would live inside.  Yet, he has always lived outside.  He can stand short visits inside the house, but then goes crazy.  I also have Marvin in my only spare room.  Marvin and Shadow do not get along and my indoor cat, Jake doesn't do well with Shadow either.  Shadow will not fight at all.  He just lays there and takes it.  I no longer know how to protect him.  He was attacked in February by another stray cat and then Marvin would pounce on him ( no bites) and just plain scare him.  Shadow is very easy prey. 

I will be going on vacation for about a week in July and I cannot leave 3 cats inside all in different rooms with someone checking on them.  Shadow would go crazy.  I know if he was forced to live inside the house right now, it would be a disaster.  Yet, I don't know how to keep him safe.  I worry and worry and worry about him.  I am doing my very very best with him.  He has a wonderful deck, shelter, feeding station, warm shelter in the winter and lots of time with me.  I can pet him, brush him and he even sits on my lap for short periods.  Yet, he is still so skittish of others, even my DH and DS.  He has been with me for almost 3 years. 

Thanks for the vent space.  I am in need of peace and it seems to be eluding my household.

Oh dear, so sorry you are overwhelmed. It isn't hard to get that way, especially when you as compassionate as you are! I don't have any ideas about what you might do - other than screening in or enclosing the deck in some way. So often, the resident cat keeps others away but Shadow doesn't seem to do that, does he?

How about a cat door that works with a collar or microchip? That would give everyone the freedom to come and go but would keep strangers out. Honestly, I am just tossing out ideas. Dn't listen if they aren't helpful. I know you might just have needed to vent but we're all feeling for you...

Ondine said:

Oh dear, so sorry you are overwhelmed. It isn't hard to get that way, especially when you as compassionate as you are! I don't have any ideas about what you might do - other than screening in or enclosing the deck in some way. So often, the resident cat keeps others away but Shadow doesn't seem to do that, does he?

How about a cat door that works with a collar or microchip? That would give everyone the freedom to come and go but would keep strangers out. Honestly, I am just tossing out ideas. Dn't listen if they aren't helpful. I know you might just have needed to vent but we're all feeling for you...

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I have thought of screening in a part of the deck and giving him access through a basement window, but it would be very costly and not sure he would even use it.  I so appreciate any ideas as there may be something I haven't thought of.

I just saw that my neighbor was home.  I was positive this was her cat that attacked Shadow and Marvin, but she said it is not hers.  So now it's someone elses and probably an intact male.  I am just sick.  My neighbor mentioned that she has seen both an orange and black cat coming out from the sewers in front of her house. 

Thanks Ondine for your help. 

Could you board Shadow as seems the other 2 are ok?  It can be done cheaper if you can make something workable yourself or maybe find some other service to barter with a experienced person.  If it is just one intact male I would try to neuter him if possible.