Stray Kitten: What is the best plan of action?

[BernOut]

I picked up a stray kitten (maybe 8 weeks?) off the street last night. It was trying to crawl under car hoods for warmth. It’s now hiding on my balcony, has eaten a few things, and I will take it to the vets for an exam tonight.

Here’s the dilemma. I can’t keep it. I already have multiple cats. I live in a third-world country with an enormous amount of stray cats, so hardly any infrastructure for shelters (I will email the ones I know once the kitten is checked out and given an all clear, but I don’t expect anything)

Would it be the worst thing to care for it until it’s slightly bigger and stronger and the weather is warmer, and then release it out onto the streets (fixed, too, if female)? I’m not sure if it’s feral or not, it is very scared of me at the moment.

I really don’t know what to do. I just wanted it to stop climbing into car hoods for warmth and give it a safe place to eat. I usually just ignore the stray cats on my street, there’s too many and it’s just tragic :( But this one seemed to meow constantly and no momma cat as far as I could tell.

[AwkwardPaws27]

Could you get it neutered and vaccinated, and look to privately rehome it? Maybe a friend/colleague/neighbour will be interested?

If it is feral, neutering and releasing is an option (as they do with feral populations in the UK) but I wouldn't want to do that to a young kitten and as a young kitten it has the "cute factor" so it's more likely to be homeable.

[BernOut]

Could you get it neutered and vaccinated, and look to privately rehome it? Maybe a friend/colleague/neighbour will be interested?

I was thinking I would at least try if it wasn’t feral. I know mostly expats like myself though, so my hopes aren’t high on that front.

[BovaryX]

First of all, you have done a really kind thing taking him in. Especially if you are living in a place with very little provision for strays. It would be great if you could take care of him at least until it's warmer. It would be great if you could get him or her neutered but that won't be possible until s/he is at least 3 months old. You are being very kind. The situation for stray cats in many countries is dire.

[Looobyloo]

It's lovely of you to look after it but I'm sure once you've raised the cat for a few months there is no way you would be able to kick it out of its new home, I couldn't! Having travelled I've seen the amount of stray animals in other parts of the world and it's heartbreaking.

When I was on an island in Thailand I fed a dog for about four days and it ran after my taxi when I left, that was just awful!

I was in Morocco last year and I fed all the local wild cats. I was unsure if I was doing the right thing as I thought once I've left they will be used to being fed and then will wonder what's happended. But I did my bit while I could.

I hope you find him/ her a home.

[EachandEveryone]

Tbh I would add it to the many I already have.

[BernOut]

Thanks! He is doing good we will wait for vaccinations.

Tbh I would add it to the many I already have

Unfortunately the state of things in this country means this really isn’t possible. I know people who do animal rescue here, it sadly can veer into hoarding territory because the need is too great and homes are few.