Expert: Becky - 10/24/2004

Question
Hi,
We have an outdoor-only cat that has moved into our backyard.  She was totally ferile at first but we started feeding her and now we can pet her.  She has also become very close friends with our neighbor's cat and they are together 24/7!
Unfortunately we have to move in a week and we don't know what to do about the cat!  This is the only home she's ever known and I know tearing her away from her home AND her best friend will be very traumatic!  I am afraid that she will be extremely depressed at best or worse run away and try to find her way back to her old home.  We also have two indoor-only cats so bringing her inside is not an option...any advice?  We don't know who's moving into our old house next, they may not be cat people so she may not get fed if she stays here...any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Alex

Answer
Alex,
This is a problem!  I guess you have already asked the people with the other cat ?  If they are unwilling, then the cat is either going to starve or find another person to feed her. (and there are no guarantees that someone will!)  Are you able to keep an outdoor cat where you are moving ?  No matter how you look at this situation, it is going to stress the cat out.  Taking her with you and trying to adjust her to a new place is better than abnandoning her.  In my opinion, if you cannot take her and no one else will claim responsibilty, then the most humane thing to do would take her to a shelter.  Yes, she may be euthanized, but to me, it's much worse for her to starve or be abused.  

God Bless,
Becky