Tough Decision

[moonchicklovesku]

I have my two cats that are my indoor cats. But over the last 6 months have come to "own" two outdoor cats at my apt complex. I feed these cats every day and give them water and attention as I can. The older cat follows me wherever I go, including when I walk to my mailbox, and and he'll follow along right beside me. Sometimes the kitten will too. The older one even comes and greets me at my car as soon as I pull in. It's kind of cool b/c he does this every time and sometimes the little one will too. The catch is the big one will let me pet on him and everything and the little one I can barely get near but he's getting friendlier but still runs away too. Here's where my "tough decision" comes in: In about a month we're moving to an apt complex that's about 15-20 from here. Alot of my friends say I should take these cats b/c if I don't they'll be "heart-broken" and could disappear or worse. I know that after I left my parents house I lost two cats b/c of that. I was really attached to those two also. I'm not really wanting to leave these two cats but I just don't know what I should do. I'm the one that takes care of them but then again will they adapt outdoors at a new place? I can't bring them into the apt b/c I already have two cats and that almost seems to be too much. On top of that they all hiss at each other. WHAT DO I DO? I really don't want to leave my outdoor "babies."

[Traci]

Are you sure the cats are strays? Perhaps they are owned by one of your neighbors....I would post flyers up, or ask around in your neighborhood who might own them.

If you take them with you and keep them outside, you risk them leaving, getting lost, etc. The only way to safely move an outdoor cat is to move them indoors only.

If you can't have them with you in the new apartment, at least try your hardest to find out if they are owned by a neighbor, and if not, try to find them a good home together before you move. Ask friends and family members for help.

[Ash]

I agree with Traci. You can't take them and then leave them outdorrs at a new location, they will freak out and run away and get lost, probably seperated. It would be a nightmare for them. Don't do it! They are much better off without you in their already established territory.

This is difficult ... I totally understand how you feel.

But they were fine before you started feeding them? There is a good chance they'll be alright when you leave too! Cats are not helpless outside. We usually underestimate their resourcefulness, because we are used to our indoor 'babies'. Maybe they'll make new friends, maybe they have already other friends you don't know of?

You wrote you'll move "15-20" ???what??? away. If it's not too far, you could always come once a day and continue feeding them, as you do now. Would that be possible?

Or put them up for adoption. Newspaper ad?

Just fyi, when moving, cats they should be kept indoors for at least 4-6 weeks, then they are allowed outside on a leash for another week or two, before letting them out free. In your situation that's really not an option.

[Marty]

Ash, this board recommends that cats be kept inside for their own safety.

[Ash]

I didn't mean to recommend anything.

[moonchicklovesku]

I meant 15-20 minutes as you guessed. The little cat was born here...he's about 6-8 months old now and we're are the ones that basically raised him so far. As for the older one, well I really really just want to be selfish and not give him up. I don't know of anyone that would adopt them at this point. To try and make them indoors won't work b/c I can't bring them in b/c of my two cats and they're used to the outdoors. it's just so sad b/c the older one follows me and doesn't leave our balcony very often.... To think of leaving them makes want to cry.....I just can't help wanting to be selfish and take them w/ me......

[Traci]

To try and make them indoors won't work b/c I can't bring them in b/c of my two cats and they're used to the outdoors.

Are you saying you are not prepared for the care of two more cats, or because you fear your other two would not accept them? If the latter, it is relatively easy to introduce new cats, you can find introductions tips all over this forum.

If there is nothing preventing you from taking them in, then what do you have to lose? I would only suggest that your two resident cats are current on their vaccinations, and that the two outdoor cats are examined by your vet, dewormed and vaccinated accordingly before allowing them in with your other cats. (and of course, providing you are in the position to care for two more cats)

Indoors Only, this link also has methods for acclimating outdoor kitties strictly indoors.

[Ash]

Be 'selfish'! Take them with you. They would be so lucky and happy. And you too!

Worst case scenario: they and your two cats don't get along at all and you have to find a new home for them. But at least they will have a home.

[moonchicklovesku]

The cats hiss and try to fight each other through the window sometimes but mostly they just hiss. Also, I have to pay pet deposits for each cat we take into this new apartment which is the same at any apt. This one is pretty cheap but my bf and I are only twenty and don't make that much money. Michael(my bf) absolutely does NOT want me to take these cats w/ me. I really really want to be selfish but we're going to be in OKC and people keep saying that I have a higher risk of get them picked up by the Animal control if I keep them outside. My cats are current on all of their vaccines and have been spayed and de-clawed. So they are great except for chewing on everything As for having too many cats that's not a problem for me but can be for my bf and us being in an apt. I grew up w/ at least 6-10 cats all the time. My two cats are from 3 litters of 16 kittens total. Lol. My parents had three mama cats give birth to 16 kittens and two were stillborn but there were still 14 plus about 10-15 other cats So having too many is not a problem...I just don't know and I have about 3-4 weeks left here. Michael doesn't want me to take them but my heart always goes out my animals....

[Traci]

What are Michael's reasons and do they seem valid? (i.e., can you afford to care for two additional cats, vs he does not want to take responsibility or time to care for them, litterbox duty, etc etc)

I don't want to interfere with a domestic dispute, but since you are a cat-lover, you are in the position to encourage him and educate him if you truly want these cats to be your own. I'm not encouraging you to take in two additional cats if you truly cannot afford to care for them or your apartment is much too small to allow all of them comfort (including yourself), but if you are in the position financially, and the apartment can accomodate all of you nicely, then it may only be a matter of discussing this in more detail with your boyfriend. (if he truly does not like cats however, and is not a responsible pet owner, you would want to take that into consideration)

As for the hissing and growling, this occurs because your resident cats are naturally protecting their territory from outside cats. If you did choose to adopt the two outside cats, you would still expect the same behavior temporarily during new introductions, etc.

Have you called your local humane society and asked for resources that may be available to place these kitties into loving responsible homes? Are there rescue or foster kitty parents available? Try calling a few vets in your area, or pet stores, etc to find out if there are organizations in your area that can help.