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I have a cat which I feed on a regular basis who stays ...
Sent to Cat Experts August 02 11:17 PM

I have a cat which I feed on a regular basis who stays outside. I have not been able to bring him inside because he fights with my inside cat. I am about to move. Should I just stop feeding him so he will move on? Or should I take him with me and keep him outside, hopeing he won't try to go home.

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 2 11:38 PM (21 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Hi,

Under the circumstances, there are a few options open to you and this cat. First, was this a stray that you just started feeding and so he 'adopted' you and kept coming around for food on a steady basis?

Are there any other families/neighbors close by who are cat lovers and responsible people who would consider taking over feeding him and watching out for him if you move and leave him in their care? If you wanted to, you could start bringing him over to the neighbor's house with food already outside, and try to get him used to eating there from now on, before you leave.

If you feel an attachment to this cat and would like to adopt him, which would be great, because you'd be giving him a good home and he's already familiar with you, there are a few obstacles you'd have to overcome, but they're not insurmountable, so don't worry--definitely 'doable'! : )

If you take him with you, there always IS a possibility he may try to 'go home' if he's an outside-only cat. How far away are you moving? In the same general area? If you continue feeding him outside and he feels secure in the new environment because you're there, and he continues to get fed, I don't think he'd try to leave. But, cats ARE unpredictable, so we can't say with any certainty that he'll stay. He might be totally freaked out by the change in his surroundings and feel very disoriented.

You COULD try again, to introduce him to your indoor cat in the proper way, and make him an indoor-only cat, then you wouldn't have to worry about him trying to flee. If you'd consider this, please let me know and I'll give you information re: proper introductions. If you feel this is not an option, I understand.

So, I'd recommend either trying to 'relocate' him to another house near yours, with a cat-lover- neighbor who would feed him and assume responsibility for him when you leave, or take him with you and hope he keeps hanging around because you feed him, or make him an indoor cat in your new location.

Cher : )


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