Lost someone special

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Monkey Butler

Reel and Destroyer.

I hear ya. I have a couple of good folks who may want to adopt. I am insisting that they take her/him/it? to the vet first. Not sure of the sex but it seems like a "she" and I bought a pink flea collar so...

If that doesn't work out I'm thinking I'll take her to the vet for a check up and whatever shots she needs and if she has a good bill of health I'll make arrangements to get her fixed before spring.

Let me ask, do you think it is humane and wise to let the cat become a "shop cat"? She seems more than happy with the living arrangements and I could do without the field mice and chipmunks but I've never had a pet that didn't live in the house with me.

I don't want to do the cat an injustice to make myself feel good. BTW, just checked with my DMM probe, outside temp 21 degrees, temp under the cat tent, 86 degrees, temp in my house, 62 degrees.

LOL Live with the outside temp, warm your house and cool the tent.. Cats love 70-80F

Determining sex is easy on a cat. If it's a male you'll see his ball sack just under his anus. No balls it's a she. Easy.

She adopted you, not the other way around. It wouldn't be right for you to give her away.. (but certainly better than turning her out into the outside again or giving her to a shelter). Shop cats are great cats also.
Remember that she doesn't expect much of you except friendship and love. She's not going to be particular where you give it to her. If you let her become an inside/outside cat there are a few things you need to expect. First, the ever present fleas and ticks. You'll have to guard against them on her. That collar is a good place to start, but (assuming she's an adult and not a kitten) the flea drops on her fur behind her neck are better since a collar can get caught on a tree branch. Next, expect that she's going to bring you presents of food. Cats are pride animals...they like to contribute to the family, so if you find a dead or dying mouse or chipmunk on your doorstep or elsewhere just thank her, praise her for being a good hunter, scratch her behind the ears, etc. Then take newspaper and dispose of the body. Lastly, expect that one day she'll go outside and not return. It's a fact of life that, just as cats are hunters, so too are other animals. Dogs, foxes, other cats... all are natural enemies and sources of danger and will eventually claim her. Most feral cats do not live more than 2-3 years outside. My personal advice is keep her inside if you love her and it's at all possible.