Got my guy... now what?!?!

Hello all,

I just updated about this situation in my other thread, but I actually now have a new situation so I'm reposting it to see if I can get some eyeballs on my question.

SO I trapped that feral that's been beaten up my other feral.  

He is just beautiful... huge green eyes and that black lip liner (so goth!)

He seems to be a young male; probably born during kitten season last spring.  He was really hissy and scared at first, but then we transferred him to a larger dog crate as a holding pen and he calmed down a lot.  When we transferred him back into the carrying trap today to take him to the SFSPCA for neutering, he was very calm and mostly just watched us; more curious than aggressive.  I still can't believe we got him.  

ANYWAY, there's an Oakland non-profit called Feral Change who have been so generous with their time and advice.  They called SFSPCA and got Bubba accepted for their feral neutering program; includes vaccinations, rabies shot, flea treatment.  So he'll be all set.

My issue now is... I pick him up on Friday.  What do I do with him?

I don't want to release him back to my neighborhood.  I understand that his aggression will likely dissipate post-neuter, but that takes a couple of weeks and there's no guarantee.  I honestly can't bring myself to do this, after working so hard to protect Soots.  But I also understand that it could be really traumatic for the poor guy to be relocated.  That said, he's new to my neighborhood so if he hasn't been around that long, maybe moving him to a new location wouldn't be too bad? Then there's the question of working with him to see if it's possible to bring him around to being a pet; but I certainly can't take that on right now; 3 of my own indoor, one new to the family and just stabilizing.

IF I do decide to relocate him... where to?  I can't just dump him in some other hood and say "good luck!"  I mean, in a sense, I feel responsible for him now.  I'm not, really, but someone has to be so why not me?  Sigh.  As always, feedback appreciated!  What would be better is if someone has a farm and wants an adorable new mouser!  Seriously!  If you're within a couple of hours from Oakland, I'll drive him to you.  Want him in a safe-ish area, free from traffic and cruel humans... where he'll have food/water and stability (and some sort of shelter... I'm sure a barn would do fine).  I'm serious!  Let me know if you can accept him.  He appears to be a very young, very healthy boy with a lot of years ahead of him... I'd love to settle him in a good place.

Jenn

Oh please don't relocate him without knowing that he will be kept from roaming for 3-4 weeks.  He will do everything in his power to get back to his territory.  It takes cats the 3-4+ weeks to acclimate to a new territory.  During the acclimation time, they need to be kept caged or in an enclosed space where they cannot escape.

I understand you not wanting him to be released to your area and know that he may hurt your other feral.  The hormones do take a while to shut down. 

I was in a similar situation 3 yeas ago.  I had my baby, my dear Shadow  and another feral living on my deck.  A new boy arrived and all h*ll broke loose.  This new boy was not neutered and kept attacking my sweet Shadow.  I trapped the new boy, had him neutered and released him back into my yard.  He kept coming around.  His attacks diminished, but he really wanted my deck as his own.  He stopped attacking Shadow, but kept chasing him and scaring him.  This went on for almost 3 months after the neuter.  I called all of the rescues organizations and humane societies in my area to see him someone could take him. Since he was not socialized no one would take him.  He would be euthanized.  My only hope was to take him inside my home and do my best to socialize him. 

I was somehow able to get him into a carrier and put him in a room of his own.  This room was completely cat proofed.  The bed was placed up against the wall and all furniture was blocked so he couldn't get behind or underneath.  This was his room for almost one year.  At first it was very very hard.  He would yowl and throw himself against the windows, but with Feliway and Composure he calmed within 5-7 days.  He had a small cat tree to hide in and was able to look outside a closed window.

Inside my house, I had another cat and a large dog.  I kept everyone separated for 3 months and then started very slow introductions.  During the three months, I worked with him daily.  He made so much progress.  The introduction process was rough and took a long time.  Yet in the end it was all worth it.  This boy is the sweetest cat and gets along well with my other cat and dog.  He is still skittish of loud noises, other humans and new experiences, but I am so happy that I rescued him.  It saved my outside boy and I got so lucky.

You could always try keeping him inside and working with him to see if he is able to be socialized.  If after a month or two and you do not see progress, you could release him back into your area and begin feeding him and providing him shelter outside. 

Either way, it will take some planning on your part.  I would not re release him back into your yard just yet if you are able to provide a safe place for him inside first.  It would be very difficult to try and retrap him later.  Also please do not relocate him unless you have a proper plan in place.

I hope the best for this little one.