Feeling terribly guilty

Hello all, I am in need of some advice. I have 5 rescue cats, ranging in age 9 to 3. I have to say they are really a great group of cats and have had minimal issues. Recently, I had a stray cat come into my yard, you could tell he definitely belonged to someone at sometime. He was neutered,very vocal, friendly, hungry and was in need of love, care and attention. So, the next day he was still there and wouldn't leave. I went around the neighborhood with a picture I took with my phone and no one knew who this kitty was. I called local vets, searched online and posted to social media sites, still no luck. I ended up feeding, watering and giving him shelter on my back porch with a good sized crate with plenty of blankets and a pillow. He was in hog heaven. At this point he had quieted down and actually would curl up in a ball on my lap, purring and sleeping. I fell in love with this cat, I felt we bonded right away. Several days go by and I decided to go across the street to a local farm. I had called them previously as well to see if this was one of their many cats, domestic or feral. When I spoke to the woman at the farm she said she was not missing any cats. When I went over to actually show a picture, I greeted her husband outside. I showed him a picture of who we now calling "champ". He proceeds to tell that he is pretty sure that was the cat a woman had dumped off at their farm, because he was peeing in the house. That confirmed my suspicion that Champ actually did live with a family. In the meantime my husband is telling me "we can't keep him. We can't save them all". So needless to say, I very much reluctantly brought Champ down to a no kill shelter. I have been very upset about this. I didn't think I would get attached so quickly. I have been calling the shelter everyday to see how he is and they reassure me that he is being taken care of. And they think he will be adopted. I don't think I made the right decision, even though everyone else is saying I did. My husband thinks that another cat would throw a wrench in the mix of the 5 cats we already have. I guess I would appreciate some feedback/ advice. Thanks for listening.

Could you get your husband to agree that if the kitty isn't adopted within a certain amount of time (30days?) you could adopt him?

You could also talk to all your friends and relatives and see if they want to adopt him, then at least you'd get to visit and know that he was in a good home.

Just a couple of ideas. Hope it all works out for you.

There is nothing to feel guilty about!   It seems that the shelter will take good care of him. Is there no way for you to keep the cat? Personally I think he'll be loved at the shelter or with you, so it's really how you feel about letting him go. Surrendering an animal to a no-kill shelter is not a bad thing!

Thank you very much for your input, it means a lot. I did ask around if anyone wanted to take him, no takers. I did tell the shelter that if he wasn't adopted to call me and I would figure out something. That gives me time to work on my husband.

Irish cat i think you know deep down that you want this cat.whats one more.six is a nice even number.it would be different if he was wild.but you say hes friendly.if you can afford the extra expense go for it.your husband would come around eventually!! tell him champ is pining for you. youre like myself too soft hearted.i know sometimes we have to draw the line somewhere.Dont feel guilty if you cant take him.you dont want trouble between you and your husband over it.champ sounds like a survivor.good luck.

You did exactly the right thing for this kitty.  We all reach a point beyond which we are not helping and if you take this cat at this point, your resources might be stretched too thin.  If he doesn't get adopted, you have time to think about it.

Thank you for helping him!