I've been caring for a large feral colony (about 40 cats) for years now. In the last 2 or 3 years I've gotten much more involved with the cats and they've basically become my pets and I feed them like my house cats but only once a day. The colony I care for is 7 miles from home. I've taken in about 16 of them and had them fixed and vetted and they are now house cats. I want to take more in but have a very small place and am just way over capacity. It's also becoming very expensive.
Usually, after a brief or longer stay at the vet, they come home to my house and stay in an open side crate for about a week so they can "meet" the others and see how things work. Then I let them out with the others. Mostly they seem to get along well. The latest cat is named Buddy and is a large gray cat. He's been fixed as have the others.
When I let Buddy out of the crate and left the house to go to work I came home and found that he and one of my other large male cats had had a fight and both had ear injuries. This hasn't happened before in the house once they're fixed. Some fights yes but small squabbles. Buddy went back in the crate. He's now tired of it and so am I.
Do I just let him out and let the cats figure it out? That's what I've done in the past and it's mostly been okay. But Buddy is now the largest cat. I'm gone from home a lot due to work and other life things. But I will be home more over the next few days. I can't afford any injuries that require going to the vet. Have spent $$$$$$ at the vet this year.
How do I handle this? Suggestions? I wish I had something to make Buddy feel zen and not want to fight. Will welcome any advice or suggestions.
Usually, after a brief or longer stay at the vet, they come home to my house and stay in an open side crate for about a week so they can "meet" the others and see how things work. Then I let them out with the others. Mostly they seem to get along well. The latest cat is named Buddy and is a large gray cat. He's been fixed as have the others.
When I let Buddy out of the crate and left the house to go to work I came home and found that he and one of my other large male cats had had a fight and both had ear injuries. This hasn't happened before in the house once they're fixed. Some fights yes but small squabbles. Buddy went back in the crate. He's now tired of it and so am I.
Do I just let him out and let the cats figure it out? That's what I've done in the past and it's mostly been okay. But Buddy is now the largest cat. I'm gone from home a lot due to work and other life things. But I will be home more over the next few days. I can't afford any injuries that require going to the vet. Have spent $$$$$$ at the vet this year.
How do I handle this? Suggestions? I wish I had something to make Buddy feel zen and not want to fight. Will welcome any advice or suggestions.
