OK - What do I do now? I've caught the feral cat....

[Kleiber]

Some of you may remember my little Monty's demise at the hands (paws) of a feral tom cat. Since then, the cat initially disappeared, then turned up again (having attacked and badly injured Cassie, my 11yr old female). he vanished for about a month and last weekend has turned up again. During the past week, while I've been in Europe on a business trip, the thing has attacked Cassie's sister (drawn blood and made her hide for 2 days), then attacked Monty's mum, who also disappeared and when finally found wouldn't come in for 12 hours. He also tried to break in the cat flap while I was away and poor K Jnr was (metaphorically speaking) having kittens as to what to do. I've got a cat trap again and managed to catch him tonight. problem is - what do I do with him?? I've spoken to my vet, who is quite happy to put him down for me tomorrow morning. I want rid of him as he's an absolute menace and has so far cost me nearly �400 in vets' bills, but I'm loathe to destroy a healthy (at least, I think he is) cat. He's a real monster and my girls are terrified of him and I must admit, to be rid of him for good would be great, but I still feel guilty. What would you do? Sensible answers please. Thanks, K.

[Kleiber]

madaboutcats, thanks as well for your reply. As an animal-lover, I feel terrible about it, but at least he hasn't suffered. The other thing is, we don't know yet if he was carrying FIV (I can't have Cassie tested for another month) and if he was (and it's rife up here), he's probably already infected 3 of my girls. The only 2 who've escaped being savaged by him are Cleo and Mischa. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed...

[~Wingnut~]

You did the right thing Kleiber xxx

[jules77]

Terrible shame as it isnt the cats fault it is so viscious, and it was obviously a very difficult decision for you. However, there is one very very wicked SBT up the road from me, who has already attacked 'at least' two dogs, and two people requiring hospital treatment, that I know of, and given the chance, I would do the same as you have done here.

[madboutcats]

You've done the right thing kleiber, he would never have been rehomed if you had found a santuary for him and no doubt they might have made the same decision as you as he was so feral. I hope your girlies will be fine and that all tests come back clear.xxxx

[Prescott]

Have him put down. He is obviously a menace, and not just to other cats.

[Jo-Amiga]

Kleiber, Bless you, you did the right thing for all concerned,
the ferral cat had no quality of life and was ruining your cats quality of life, I am sorry your cats had to suffer and that you had to make a hard decision.

my opinion, for it`s worth,
Death was given to us as a release from life when life is no longer good and is not to be feared

Jo [hugs]

[bensmum]

Hello Kleiber - what a horrible decision to have had to make. As much as I love cats and would never advocate putting a healthy animal down I think you made the right decision here. The poor cat probably had no sort of life so ultimately putting it down was the kindest option all round. At least your cats are now safe as well.

[gelda]

Prescot, you obviously haven't read the posts properly, poor puss has already been put to sleep. BTW Kleiber as sad as it was you've done the right thing.

[Eve]

I know Ty Agored, used to do some voluntary work there helping walk the dogs and such when I was a student in Aber.

It is a very strange place and I wasn't very sure about the people who ran it.

[Kleiber]

Hi, all - I'm really grateful for your support on this. He was put down yesterday morning. My vets are very kind and he wasn't stressed at all. It's a shame to have had to do it, but ultimately I think it was for the best. If I could have tamed him and if he hadn't been so aggressive, I would certainly have given him a home with us as I hate to have to destroy a healthy animal. Thing is, I'm now wondering if he could've been Mischa's dad. She was found a couple of miles from my farm and her mum had probably mated with a feral. Mischa, although she is pure black, has faint tabby markings on her head (in grey!). If Mr. Nasty was her dad, at least he's left a legacy and his daughter is being well cared for (she's a little monster, just like him, so I wouldn't be surprised!! But I love her...).