I've feed an adorable stray cat, Mo Mo, for almost four years. It stays outside around my house about 18 hours a day. I plan to move a mile north of the neighborhood into a new home and want to bring him with me. However, I am afraid of the following: people in the new neighborhood may abuse him, construction workers may hurt him, and if he gets confused, I am afraid he may cross a busy road and get hurt. I love the cat and don't want to abandon him. In fact, for the past couple of nights, I've returned back to my old house just to feed him. I am not sure it would be healthy to move him from one environment to another. Does anyone have advice or experience with this type of situation?
2007-01-08 10:44:15 · 12 answers · asked by Vamp06 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Can you find somewhere where you used to live who would continue to feed him for you...especially if you provided the food?
2007-01-08 10:46:44 · answer #1 · answered by silco4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like Just Me's idea very much. You don't mention having other cats or animals if you were to bring him inside your new place. I would hope he has been neutered though and wouldn't do it if he were not.
He might even adjust to being an indoor cat - you never know. You can use a halter and leash to familiarize him with his new surroundings after about three weeks of indoor life. He will know where his new home is if he has a few weeks of walking around the area with you in his halter with the leash attached.
Keeping him in for a while and "walking" him will give you time to know the neighborhood better - just what the traffic patterns are, any predatory dogs around, how the neighbors seem to you.
You could also use the Bach flower essence Walnut on him to help him accept the changes in his life. Email me if you want to know how to use it.
2007-01-08 10:58:48 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To successfully move an outdoor cat to a new location, you have to keep them confined in the new area for at least, 2 weeks, a little more would even be beneficial. Cats are smart, and they will try to go to their old stomping grounds, so the confinement is important for their Safety! Build a little pen, big enough for a box to sleep in, their food and of course a potty!
I have dealt with wild/FERAL cats, (TNR) and true, some will not get close, but then theres others who grow to trust and will let you pet them. I have a couple that I can pet. While being confined, you can get closer to them that way too, tames them down.. (again, I say some, not all) Good luck! And any other questions on tips to get closer , email me, I know the tricks!
I have to do this with 4 outdoor cats in the Spring!
2007-01-08 10:54:12 · answer #3 · answered by Katz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Boy, you got a good one there. Tough issue.
If you decide to keep the cat and take him with you to your new place, you will have to find some way to keep him confined for at least two weeks, this is to give him the time to adjust before fear can drive him back to where he came from.
If you do not want a house cat then contact the local pound, rescue group, humane society, a close neighbor with a tender heart. Don't just leave him there.
There will be someone in the neighborhood that hears about it and will take him in. She will contact you.
2007-01-08 11:05:48 · answer #4 · answered by bluebonnetgranny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Adopt him and make him a house cat. I did that once with a stray and the interesting thing is that the cat would go outside only to use the bathroom and come back inside because she had a kitty bed, fresh food and a warm home to sleep and play in.
2007-01-08 10:56:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a really tough call. To leave him at your old place, who would feed and care for him? Maybe the new residents there would think he was a nuisance and discourage him from being there. On the other hand, for you to bring him with you to your new place, that would be confusing for him if you just let him go there. He would, for certain, head back to your old place. Perhaps you could bring him to the new place and have him inside for a while, slowly putting him outside on a leash and letting him know the area. Best of luck.
2007-01-08 10:49:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in a similiar situation. I decided to take the cat with me and decided if she wasn't happy I was gonna bring her back. I kept her in the house for a few weeks and when I seen her all sprawled out on my bed, I knew right there she was happy with me. She moved with me on many different occasions and adjusted just fine. I had her 13 years til the day I had to put her down, but I knew she had a happy life and she never starved again.
2007-01-08 13:43:59 · answer #7 · answered by rooting4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wild cats are wild cats. They will fend for themselves. They will not allow people to get close to them. If you take the cat with you, it will continue to do the same thing. Stay away from you. If you really want to move him, I would suggest renting a cat trap and moving it that way.
2007-01-08 10:54:06 · answer #8 · answered by Veneta T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should make him a house pet. Call the local SPCA or shelter and find out how to trap him if he won't come to you. He will need to be neutered and get his shots. After that he should be a good house pet who will be very grateful to have a good home.
2007-01-08 10:53:35 · answer #9 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your so sweet! i'm currently doing the same. if you do take him make him a house cat so he wont be scared.if not you could always go feed him were you live. other wise i'm not to sure. hope my edvise helps! :) and best of wishes for you both
2007-01-08 10:50:23 · answer #10 · answered by Momo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋