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- Dec 27, 2015
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Hi. We have cared for a feral cat (called "ODK") for 10+ years. We met and cared for her in another city and state and chose to relocate her when we moved nearly 10 years ago. In short, efforts to socialize her and bring her indoors ultimately didn't succeed, although we had small moments of success. Our primary reason for taking her "in" years ago is she was young and very sweet on our other domesticated cats (one now deceased, but ODK's favorite still alive, but elderly (16 yrs). We live in warmer climate and she does great just keeping to your yard/territory, and is well-fed year round. Even some basic shelter when we do get colder weather. My problem -- we will be moving out of this house within 2 years and she can not come with us. I'm surprised she's lived this long! I'm interested in your thoughts in humane options to part way with a sweet calico feral cat who does not let humans touch/pet her. She is about 12 years old female. I was kind of hoping for nature to take care of this on its own, as cruel as that may sound --- but if it doesn't, I feel like I need to start thinking now about what to do. I checking with no-kill shelters, her status doesn't fall high on their admission requirements -- I don't think they'd take her. I have considered asking a neighbor to take on the responsibility (and pay them like $500 to do so, since its within the realm of her "territory" -- but I can imagine what the future home owner who buys are house will think/do (here's this cat crying at their back door). I have some connections to an agency that operates a variety of services/organic farming out in the woods --- people are on site nearly every day and could help with leaving her some food each day -- but that may be a stretch to get that to work out (for them to allow her to move in, for her to do well in an area with a lot of other animals likely roaming around). Sorry for the long post ..... I basically have the next 18 months to figure this out, but want to start planning now.