I have a some friends who have just completed the sale of their farm. When they moved into the farm some 8 years ago there was a semi-feral cat that lived in the barn. This cat disappeared for 6 months after they moved in, then reappeared and took up residence once again in the barn. Since that time the cat has slowly become more friendly, both to the humans, and the humans' dogs. She's never become a 'house' cat though.
The purchase of their new farm won't be completed for a couple of months and so they have rented a house in the meantime, and moved in last Tuesday. They left the cat in the barn with the idea that the incoming people would look after her until their final move was complete, and then they would take her to her new home.
The new people don't move in until next week - so my friends have been going back to the farm daily to feed her and check all is OK. One of my friends was so upset as he said she was by the back door of the house looking all lost and forlorn. He's also worried that she might do a disappearing act when the new people move in, just like she did with them.
His partner says it's not fair to take her to the house as she's not a house cat, he's worried she will try and get out of the garden, get run over etc etc......and she should be left where she is. She's about 18 years old by the way. What a dilemma! They asked me my advice as they think I'm a 'cat expert'!! My gut feeling was to take the cat with me wherever I went, and she'd just have to be shut in the house until the next move, but then is that me being selfish? What's best for the cat??
Any ideas most gratefull received!! Thanks.
