What to do with stray cat?

Two months ago, I took in a stray cat and her 6 kittens. My intent was to keep them safe in my home, when kittens ready, rehome them, spay mom, and rehome her. She is a sweetheart. The first night she was in my home, she cried all night. I think she missed her friends. She lived in apartment complex with a bunch of other cats. I wouldn't call them feral, because they are pretty friendly. I think the people in that apartment complex collectively fed them but they did not live inside. One guy asked me to take momcat and kittens because he could not care for them, he was feeding them.

Now, my mission has come to the finish line. All kittens rehomed, mom will be spayed in next couple days. But, I am so sad, and I don't know what to do with her. She is obviously a very social cat. She tried to befriend my resident male cat (2). They wanted nothing to do with her. They hiss at her. I feel so bad for her. I think she just wants a friend. Should I return her to her old home in apartment complex? Will her friends remember her? She has been gone for 2 months. I don't want them to shun her and drive her away.

My initial intent was to find her a people home. But I feel bad - did I just rip her from her family in that apartment complex, and force her to live indoors where she might not have a companion? I have a feeling like I should spay her and return her to her old home. (she definitely loves being outdoors more. I have to leave my balcony door open all the time so she can go out whenever she wants.) But then I'm afraid I'm abandoning her to a family that may not recognize her as family anymore.

Has anyone ever been faced with this same dilemma? Should I return stray cat back to her old home? Or find her a people home. I really think she needs a companion. Please advise.

Maybe you can find her a new family that has a cat-friendly cat? It takes cats some time to fully accept a new cat, so your two cats reacting like that is pretty normal.

Definitely get her spayed no matter what you do. Personally I would find her a people home. She'll get used to indoor life and live much longer! She might have to adjust, but she'll thank you later. Thanks for taking care of these babies!

How did you go about introductions between your resident cat and the mom cat?  Introduction between cats is a process and it can take time.  Yet most cats will learn to coexist.  I brought a male feral/stray cat into my home two years ago.  He and my resident cat took one solid year to learn to coexist and then another 5 months or so to decide they like each other. 

The stray I brought inside had a room of his own for a year.  This was his safe room.  He would stay in there are night and also when I was not home.  When I was home, I placed a cheap wooden screen door over the door frame and attached it with tension rods.  I then placed a baby gate in the door way for extra protection.  The new cat could hear and see and smell the comings and goings inside the house and they cats could also safely see each other. 

I will post a few articles and a video on cat to cat intros.  Since you are so attached to her, maybe you could work on this process.  First get Mom spayed.  That is a priority.  Then work on the intros.  If you can get a few Feliway plug ins and look into  Composure calming treats or Composure liquid.  It is a non sedating calming supplement that really helps cats to calm down.

I would think returning her to outside living would be the absolute last thing you would want to do.  She is obviously an indoor kitty.  Please consider working on intros for a few months.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-ultimate-yet-simplified-guide-to-introducing-cats

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/