- Joined
- May 4, 2015
- Messages
- 226
- Purraise
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Scenario: I have a bunch of feral cats who live in a farmer's barn nearby. I usually provide food and water and some warm bedding for the winter. Currently, I have 4-5 cats who come in for food but sleep elsewhere. They are not part of a colony and drop by alone. In the summer, I discovered one had given birth but we were about to go on vacation so I left them alone. Usually, I TNR all the cats that visit me. After vacation, the mommy cat was trapped, spayed and returned. The kitten was now about 6 weeks old and very skittish. I tried to trap it but had no success. Now, the kitten is about 4 months old and very used to me feeding it. The mother cat comes around twice a day but she seems to be discouraging the kitten from hanging out with her. The kitten has now allowed me to touch her and pet her but is still skittish.
I have two older cats (12 and 11 year olds) indoors. One of them has lung cancer but is living a comfortable life. He also gets easily stressed out and marks a lot of areas in our home when he senses change and stress. However, he adjusted to his "brother" 11 years ago despite a lot of angst on his part.
My Solution: I want to adopt the semi-feral kitten and make him an indoor cat. I just don't think it is a good idea given the age and condition of one our own cats. On the other hand, I feel the kitten won't have much of a fighting chance with other males (I think it's a male) outside, diseases, etc. I just want to give it a chance to live out its life with us. My practical side says not to take it in because of our resident cats, as well as young kids in the house. My emotional side says to take the kitten in.
Question: Need some experienced cat lovers to chime in, please.
I have two older cats (12 and 11 year olds) indoors. One of them has lung cancer but is living a comfortable life. He also gets easily stressed out and marks a lot of areas in our home when he senses change and stress. However, he adjusted to his "brother" 11 years ago despite a lot of angst on his part.
My Solution: I want to adopt the semi-feral kitten and make him an indoor cat. I just don't think it is a good idea given the age and condition of one our own cats. On the other hand, I feel the kitten won't have much of a fighting chance with other males (I think it's a male) outside, diseases, etc. I just want to give it a chance to live out its life with us. My practical side says not to take it in because of our resident cats, as well as young kids in the house. My emotional side says to take the kitten in.
Question: Need some experienced cat lovers to chime in, please.