Taking a feral cat with me?

Hi all,
I'm looking for advice on possibly moving a slightly feral cat with me. Basically when we moved into our current house 5 years ago, I found a kitten in the garden-(there are plenty of feral cats around). I started feeding him, and made a bed in the shed, keeping the door slightly ajar so he could come and go. He quickly came to trust me, but was and is still very nervous around other people-incl. my housemate who would feed him when I wasn't around. He is very affectionate towards me(my housemate reckons he thinks I'm his Mother!!) and loves coming in for a few hours in the evening, sitting in my lap, or just sleeping on the couch. However he always sleeps outside. I had to keep him in the house for a night recently after a trip to the vets, and I found the poor fella hiding in the kitchen cupboard the next morning (and lets just say the litter box was ignored)
Landlord had sold the house so I'm looking for a small one bed apartment/studio and basically wondering if it's crueler to try to move the cat too and keep him indoors? He is very attached to his current surroundings but also equally attached to me (and vice versa) I know he will be fed by the neighbours as i have already spoken to one about my dilemma, but I hate the idea of him sitting at the back door wondering where I am. Also, new owner may not want a cat sleeping in his shed.He's a lovely little guy and I would love some advice about what the best thing to do would be. Sorry for the very rambling mail, and if I'm posting this is the wrong section.

Cheers,
Ciara

Take him with you. It isnt cruel to take the cat in and assure he is safe and sound on your how with all the food he can eat. He will complain and you just need to withstand it. Make sure he is neutered that will help too.

hexiesfriend said:

Take him with you. It isnt cruel to take the cat in and assure he is safe and sound on your how with all the food he can eat. He will complain and you just need to withstand it. Make sure he is neutered that will help too.

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Hi. Thanks for the reply. Yes he is neutered. I'm just concerned about how he'll cope in a small space when he's used to roaming outside and coming in for a few hours in the evenings. I guess he has the best of both worlds at present!

The cat will cope just fine. I have brought in a few strays and they complain at first and it's hard to ignore their insistence on going outside but they eventually acclimate pretty well. You just have to get past the first hump. It is a misconception that a cat can't be happy indoors even coming from the outside. He will have a window to perch on and watch out of at your apartment and and stay out of the cruel world out there for strays.