Little stray cat

[Want2beme]

I'm taking care of a little cat who I think is approx 4 months old. A local animal rescue is trapping and neutering cats where I live and because she was trapped in my garden, they asked if they could release her back to my garden, which I agreed to. She also has a respiratory infection, so they asked if I'd be willing to keep her inside for 2 weeks until they come back to take her back to the vet, and I agreed to do that. She's now been with me for a week in an outbuilding office. She's all cosy and warm, well fed, comfy beds. She's not used to people and is very nervous, but there has been a change in her, and she's not running and hiding from me as much as when she first arrived. Someone I know wants to give her a home. She's loves animals, has an old dog, comes from a family of animal lovers and knows the situation with the little cat. She has 13 &17 year old DC, who are really excited.

I called the rescue to tell them the good news, but they aren't happy about it and said the cat would be better off being released back to the streets rather than going to a home, where she would be slowly socialised and hopefully, settle down to a domestic life. They've said she's feral, she's not, she's just not socialise, I think. I've made it very clear to the rescue that I won't be keeping her, (I think that's what they're hoping for), and so this is a chance for her to have a home. She's got a sibling that needs to be trapped and neutered as well, and they want them to be homed together or just left in the street together. I live in a village and people feed all the stray cats.

I've told the person who wants to adopt her all about this and she said she's to wait and see what happens.

Do you think the rescue is correct or shall I hand over the little cat to the family who want to adopt her? I know this may not be relevant, but I'm paying for her veterinary care and food, and am happy to do so. I also donate to this rescue every month. They are connected to the SPCA. I love cats and have taken in many strays.

Any thoughts? My head is wrecked over this one

[Gottalovesummer]

Could your friend adopt the sibling too when it's been trapped and neutered?

I agree that the little cat you are taking care of would be better off in a loving home. Not all strays are feral. Thank you for taking such good care of her.

[Want2beme]

She did ask if having the 2 of them would be a good idea. I said it would be a lovely thing to do, but it was her decision.

[minipie]

Would you be willing to continue as you are for a little longer? That way you can get a better picture of whether she’ll make a happy family pet or not. I wonder if going from a stray, to a week in an outbuilding, to a 4 person family could be a bit much for her? Needs a bit more time in stage 2?

Also gives time for the sibling to be trapped and neutered (would the family take both?)

[Want2beme]

@minipie

Would you be willing to continue as you are for a little longer? That way you can get a better picture of whether she’ll make a happy family pet or not. I wonder if going from a stray, to a week in an outbuilding, to a 4 person family could be a bit much for her? Needs a bit more time in stage 2?

Also gives time for the sibling to be trapped and neutered (would the family take both?)

I said to the adopter that I'd keep her a bit longer to check her progress. We're trying to catch the sibling as well and I think the family will take both, but they haven't confirmed this.

[minipie]

Sounds sensible - in another week or two she may have become even tamer or she may have decided she’s had a bit of R&R and wants out to her old life!!

[Want2beme]

I suppose I'm just trying to understand why the rescue think that putting her back on the street would be the better option, if I don't keep her.

[pumpkinpie01]

I can't work out why they would think that either , how could she not be better off in a home being fed regularly I don't get it.

[minipie]

I guess if they think she’s feral maybe they reckon there’s a risk she would run away from or be rejected/dumped by this family? (Who presumably they haven’t vetted or met). In which case that could be worse for the cat than staying in her known area with her sibling.

[Want2beme]

@minipie

I guess if they think she’s feral maybe they reckon there’s a risk she would run away from or be rejected/dumped by this family? (Who presumably they haven’t vetted or met). In which case that could be worse for the cat than staying in her known area with her sibling.

Yes, this is what they've said to me. I think I'm questioning it because I have given a home to strays who've been very distant to begin with, but with patience and time have become confirmed house cats . I'll just see how it all pans out. I've got a very poorly cat of my own, also a dedicated street cat of many years, to look after just now and I'm stressed to the eyeballs about him.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I can see how it might not work out BUT she might not be feral. She just doesn’t know about central heating.

[Ludo19]

She has enough time to adjust to domestic life it's not like she's 10. The rescue centre aren't right in saying she'd be better on the streets she's still young.