Need opinions asap on what to do with friendly wounded stray

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m935

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Ive been taking care of a colony for 7 years.   This girl came around 2 years ago and even allowed petting while she was being spayed.  I love her but recently she started crossing my street and is now showing up with daily head wounds - she barely has any fur on the top of her head.

I know this happens with outdoor cats but because she is friendly i was hoping to get her fostered.  Unfortunately that isnt possible in my county as we have so many ferals to begin with.

I asked someone who works with an animal organization who suggested I have her taken to our shelter for adoption where she can at least heal.  IF she does not do well there, then i can have her back.  They will not euthanize.

I feel that if she hates it... then at least I tried... but at the same time putting her in a small cage kills me.

Please give me some advice!   This is a difficult decision.

THANKS
 
tulosai

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It sounds to me like this cat is a former house cat who was dumped. Is there any chance you're able to take her in yourself? If not, I would definitely take her to the shelter if they are willing to guarantee they will tell you before they euthanize and offer you the opportunity to have her back. You are actually very lucky that where you live this is an option.

While an animal being in a cage is not ideal, in this case it might be her best or even only chance of finding a forever home, and as you say it would offer her an opportunity to heal, which it sounds like she really needs.
 
dr rizk

dr rizk

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m935 said:
 
Ive been taking care of a colony for 7 years.   This girl came around 2 years ago and even allowed petting while she was being spayed.  I love her but recently she started crossing my street and is now showing up with daily head wounds - she barely has any fur on the top of her head.

I know this happens with outdoor cats but because she is friendly i was hoping to get her fostered.  Unfortunately that isnt possible in my county as we have so many ferals to begin with.

I asked someone who works with an animal organization who suggested I have her taken to our shelter for adoption where she can at least heal.  IF she does not do well there, then i can have her back.  They will not euthanize.

I feel that if she hates it... then at least I tried... but at the same time putting her in a small cage kills me.

Please give me some advice!   This is a difficult decision.

THANKS
Click to expand...
If she isn't adopted and you get her back, will she be indoors or back outside? If she goes back outside its only going to happen again. If at all possible try and keep her inside. The real problem is the other cats outside that are fighting. They will spread disease through fighting. If all of the cats were fixed they still might fight but at least there temper will be more mild. Plus when they get fixed they could get the shots to curb spreading the disease. All of the cats in your colony are in jeopardy. Try and find a TNR group in your area.
 
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m935

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THANK YOU!!!!  I feel so guilty putting a free roaming cat into a small cage but it helps to get the "Okay" from others.   Its also about missing her terribly which brings tears to my eyes. 

I now want to ask ... there is another friendly cat.. at least towards me.  Should I try to get him taken as well?    I figure also if they are kept nearby maybe that will help the stress???

PS - all the cats are neutered.  I have no clue who she's fighting with.  She is the boss thats for sure.  There was a tomcat who would have wounds on his head every year (They always healed).  He died over a year ago so im not sure if she's taken his role over the colony but from the day she showed up not one cat picked on her and she made friends with the tomcat pretty quickly.
 
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dr rizk

dr rizk

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Quote:
tulosai said:
 
It sounds to me like this cat is a former house cat who was dumped. Is there any chance you're able to take her in yourself? If not, I would definitely take her to the shelter if they are willing to guarantee they will tell you before they euthanize and offer you the opportunity to have her back. You are actually very lucky that where you live this is an option.

While an animal being in a cage is not ideal, in this case it might be her best or even only chance of finding a forever home, and as you say it would offer her an opportunity to heal, which it sounds like she really needs.
Click to expand...
SHE NEEDS A FOREVER HOME.
m935 said:
 
THANK YOU!!!!  I feel so guilty putting a free roaming cat into a small cage but it helps to get the "Okay" from others.   Its also about missing her terribly which brings tears to my eyes. 

I now want to ask ... there is another friendly cat.. at least towards me.  Should I try to get him taken as well?    I figure also if they are kept nearby maybe that will help the stress???

PS - all the cats are neutered.  I have no clue who she's fighting with.  She is the boss thats for sure.  There was a tomcat who would have wounds on his head every year (They always healed).  He died over a year ago so im not sure if she's taken his role over the colony but from the day she showed up not one cat picked on her and she made friends with the tomcat pretty quickly.
Click to expand...
Any cats that are potential for adoption should be given the chance. If they will let you have the cats back if not adopted, at least they had a chance and would be sheltered and cared for. With cats crossing any road puts them at risk. I had an alpha female. And she would fight other cats on sight. It seems your female is alpha cat too.
 
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