What is the longest you've fostered a cat?

I have now been fostering a feral and a kitten in my house for almost 5 months.  The kitten has come around wonderfully.  The feral is to the point where he lets me brush him (for a limited amount of time), rubs against my legs, and sometimes (rarely) jumps on my bed.  But he spends most of his time in his igloo bed, and if guests come over, he will not come out.  He will not let anyone but me pet him.  I took him in with the intention of adopting him out, but I am feeling really guilty about this.  It took so long to earn his trust, I'd hate to break that bond...but I really don't have the room, as I am inheriting dogs soon that I promised a family member I would take in upon her death.  

I could see if they get along with the dogs, but I am not looking forward to that!  I have a woman interested, but she wants to meet them.  I am sure the feral will not "show" well.  So, this question may be moot.  But I'm wondering--in regards to fostering--how long is too long to adopt out a cat?

nsav8 said:

 
I have now been fostering a feral and a kitten in my house for almost 5 months.  The kitten has come around wonderfully.  The feral is to the point where he lets me brush him (for a limited amount of time), rubs against my legs, and sometimes (rarely) jumps on my bed.  But he spends most of his time in his igloo bed, and if guests come over, he will not come out.  He will not let anyone but me pet him.  I took him in with the intention of adopting him out, but I am feeling really guilty about this.  It took so long to earn his trust, I'd hate to break that bond...but I really don't have the room, as I am inheriting dogs soon that I promised a family member I would take in upon her death.  

I could see if they get along with the dogs, but I am not looking forward to that!  I have a woman interested, but she wants to meet them.  I am sure the feral will not "show" well.  So, this question may be moot.  But I'm wondering--in regards to fostering--how long is too long to adopt out a cat?

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If you are thinking on this woman, it depends if she is willing to have a tame semiferal living in her house...   Some people are.

Because she will almost surely get to make the socialisation anew. It will be easier for her, but in part, she must do it anew.

We had forumites whom adopted an adult 6-7 old  feral, shy etc.  Whom managed to live inside, but was essentielly untouchable.  They accepted it - a life saved is a life saved, and they had other cats to give and get cuddles from.

It took them another 6 years, before the cat at last jumped in on the bed and wanted to sleep with them, accepted some cuddles, etc...

The feral cat that I brought into my home over 2.5 years ago still hides when anyone comes to the house.  In fact no one would ever know that we have him.  He will never let anyone else pet him.  But with us, he is loving and happy.  He is still scared to death of loud noises especially the vacuum, lawn mower and snow blower.  I do not believe he will ever get over these fears.  I would never have been able to adopt him out as he would have been so very scared. 

I have a large dog in the house as well.  I made sure the dog was trained and well behaved before introducing them.  It took a few months for the cat to trust the dog, but now they get along just fine.  If you keep the dog(s) on leashes for awhile and train them to leave the cat alone ( as well as providing lots of vertical space for the cats to jump to safety) there is no reason they cannot all live together. 

Update:  I just met with the potential adopter.  She met every one of my criteria.  She is experienced, knowledgeable, wants to adopt two (the kitten and the former feral), and she was just a wonderful, kind person.  Unfortunately, her house is very busy (she has two cat-friendly dogs, she entertains, she has grandkids and grand dogs visit often).  I worry her house may be too busy for my former feral guy.  He is used to living with just the kitty and me.  Plus, I am at work most of the day.  It would be such a huge change for him!

If he has a calm corner for himself, where he can be left alone in peace, when there is lotsa folks.  Say, perhaps even a whole room, with his igloo in.  So he will go out at nights if its difficult for him in the days.  Cats are essentially nocturnal. Also, he can go out when they arent there, most mornings for example. So it may turn out splendid anyways.

I will add to ShadowRescues description of her ex semiferal. My older boy was very similiar. Although properly homeraised.  Shy to strangers and visitors, but nice family cat to us living in the house.  He learned me much about shy cats!  Including the theory; much of what these shy fostered ex semiferales do, is perhaps not because they are ex-semiferales, but its because they are shy...

Anyways, I myself see a big advantage with shy cats as household member.  When they decide they give you their love, you know its for real, its not because its thursday and it was your turn, or even - you happened to be there.  As is done by the sociale cats.

nsav8 said:

 
Update:  I just met with the potential adopter.  She met every one of my criteria.  She is experienced, knowledgeable, wants to adopt two (the kitten and the former feral), and she was just a wonderful, kind person.  Unfortunately, her house is very busy (she has two cat-friendly dogs, she entertains, she has grandkids and grand dogs visit often).  I worry her house may be too busy for my former feral guy.  He is used to living with just the kitty and me.  Plus, I am at work most of the day.  It would be such a huge change for him!

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You really have to go with your gut on this one.  I wish you peace in your decision.