I would really appreciate some advice. I presently live in a courtyard in Palermo, Sicily. In November after 24 hrs of howling i picked up a kitten left outside my door, small but able to eat solids, and brought him into my flat as he would have otherwise died. I would never have chosen to have an animal otherwise because of leaving them due to work. He has been with me ever since. I have not neutered him or vaccinated him and now i must leave for Canada in 4 weeks. I cannot bring him. I am letting him out into the courtyard where there are other cats that are fed to see if he can survive on his own. Forget finding him a home or a shelter- the city is full of stray cats and dogs. Yesterday i came back and found him just cowering and he had dirtied the front room floor. I think a cat may have come in from the balcony, hard to believe but i now realize posssible, and scared him half to death because he has become really lethargic and touchy. Should i have him put to sleep or try and get him used to the courtyard. I reckon he is about 7 months old. Heartbreaking either way.thanks for the support and the site