- Joined
- Sep 17, 2014
- Messages
- 2
- Purraise
- 1
Hello,
I'm new here, and I wanted to warn you ahead of time. I tend to write novels, so grab a cup of coffee.
Scarlet came to our home several years ago (I'm guessing 13+). She showed up about the same time my neighbor called to ask for help with a litter of kittens under her deck. I won't bore you with the details, but three of the four are alive and well, and still being spoiled by yours truly. The 4th passed away a couple years back from FELV complications.
Scarlet brought another litter of 6 cuties to our back door 8+ years ago. We managed to find good homes for all of them. Shortly thereafter, I was able to trap her, and have her spayed. The vet informed me the little hussy had been "around the block" several times. So, I am really glad we were able to do that for her.
In all this time, I have never been able to get close enough to touch her. If she is nearby, she will respond to a specific "call" I came up with. She will sleep in one of the two shelters I built for her.
So, here's the problem...we moved from this house almost two years ago. We are seniors, so it has taken a while for us to get this home ready to put on the market. We are getting close to that time. Also, it is a 30 mile trip each way, which ts getting very expensive. She is waiting to be fed every time we go back.
What should I do about Scarlet? She has depended upon us for so many years. Our vet told us that for a feral to survive this long is almost unheard of. If I could somehow manage to trap her again (she is cage-smart), and bring her to our new place, I could never allow her to roam free again. There are coyotes in both places. And I estimate my Scarlet to be 15-17 years old.
I was advised by an expert to get a neighbor to feed and shelter her, but that's not gonna happen. Too many strays around. Depend on the buyer of our house to care for her? That's iffy, and they probably wouldn't like the shelters on the back porch anyway.
So, what do you think? Should I try to move her, or leave her be? I fear her days are numbered, whichever way I go. And that makes me very sad.
Thank you in advance for all suggestions.
I'm new here, and I wanted to warn you ahead of time. I tend to write novels, so grab a cup of coffee.
Scarlet came to our home several years ago (I'm guessing 13+). She showed up about the same time my neighbor called to ask for help with a litter of kittens under her deck. I won't bore you with the details, but three of the four are alive and well, and still being spoiled by yours truly. The 4th passed away a couple years back from FELV complications.
Scarlet brought another litter of 6 cuties to our back door 8+ years ago. We managed to find good homes for all of them. Shortly thereafter, I was able to trap her, and have her spayed. The vet informed me the little hussy had been "around the block" several times. So, I am really glad we were able to do that for her.
In all this time, I have never been able to get close enough to touch her. If she is nearby, she will respond to a specific "call" I came up with. She will sleep in one of the two shelters I built for her.
So, here's the problem...we moved from this house almost two years ago. We are seniors, so it has taken a while for us to get this home ready to put on the market. We are getting close to that time. Also, it is a 30 mile trip each way, which ts getting very expensive. She is waiting to be fed every time we go back.
What should I do about Scarlet? She has depended upon us for so many years. Our vet told us that for a feral to survive this long is almost unheard of. If I could somehow manage to trap her again (she is cage-smart), and bring her to our new place, I could never allow her to roam free again. There are coyotes in both places. And I estimate my Scarlet to be 15-17 years old.
I was advised by an expert to get a neighbor to feed and shelter her, but that's not gonna happen. Too many strays around. Depend on the buyer of our house to care for her? That's iffy, and they probably wouldn't like the shelters on the back porch anyway.
So, what do you think? Should I try to move her, or leave her be? I fear her days are numbered, whichever way I go. And that makes me very sad.
Thank you in advance for all suggestions.