Did I do the right thing for this stray cat?

Hi all, I've never posted here before, but I'm really down in the dumps and need kind words from other cat lovers. I live in a condo complex and I've noticed several strays around. I had seen one in particular for quite a while, but only from a distance. The other day I finally saw him up close and boy did he look bad. I thought he had a skin condition and he was meowing very plaintively. I gave him some food and discovered that he was moderately friendly...but skittish. I decided to try and get him into my cat's carrier and take him to the vet. I got him in with some tuna. My plan was to take him to the vet, get him looked at, possibly neuter him and get his vaccinations and then either try to find a home for him myself, take him to no-kill shelter or even keep him if need be. When I was growing up, my family got all of its pets from strays. I was also worried that if he stayed in the complex, animal control would come and take him away and he would have no chance. I figured that if I got him neutered and got him shots, he'd have a much better shot of getting into a no kill shelter.

When I took the kitty to the vet he was tested for FIV and turned up positive. I didn't know very much about FIV, but now I know that I might have expected this cat to have it. It turned out that he didn't have what I thought was dermatitis. They were bite marks and wounds from all of the fights he'd been in. I started crying immediately and still haven't really stopped. The vet wanted me to put him down, but I remembered seeing some FIV+ cats at adoption stands over the years and didn't want to kill him unless there were no other options. I wanted to help this cat. I didn't want to sentence him to death. The vet didn't feel that anyone would take him as a FIV+ positive cat who looked like he'd been run through the mill, and I felt like she was pushing me to have him put to sleep. I know she was trying to do the right thing, but it came off as cold. His appetite was good and he seemed relatively healthy underneath all of the grime and muck. I felt like maybe most of the people she sees aren't willing to really try.

The vet did neuter him, cleaned his wounds and gave him some antibiotics. That night it looked like he was bleeding a little, so I called the vet to make sure he was okay (it's an all night clinic) and she said that if it got bad to bring him down and they'd put him to sleep! Now I was getting really frantic. Instead, I called my father who is a doctor and got him to make sure the cat was okay. Today I took him to a vet who was much more sympathetic. This vet actually has a FIV+ cat that he keeps as his own pet. They are boarding him and will give him a bath tomorrow. He smelled AWFUL. I also got him a rabies shot.

I have been calling EVERYWHERE today to see if I can find a home for him. I cannot keep him because I have a male cat who is very dominant and I live in a condo. I fear that my cat will become infected if the two end up fighting. My parents also have a cat who is FIV-.What makes me really sad is that if this had been a year later they might have perfected the FIV vaccine and I could take him in. I considered relreleasing him, but I know that this is unethical. I have found one cat sanctuary that may be able to take him. I'm not sure if they have room and won't know for a few days. I have offered a very generous donation, because it's worth it for my peace of mind. I'm just worried that this will fall through and then what do I do?

I guess I'm just worried that in my 'do gooder' haste I was inherently selfish. I wanted to help the cat so much that I've put him through trauma and now don't know if I will be able to find him a home. I always hate it when people look the other way, but god it hurts to look! I just don't think that I could bring myself to put this cat to sleep

I don't have any experience so can't offer any advise. I wanted to say though that I think you're awesome ... you SO did the right thing! I wish there were tons more like you on the face of this earth.

Kim

Why do you think it would be unethical to re-release him? You've done the 'T' and 'N' of TNR. Now do the 'R'.

We trapped/neutered/released six cats so far in our back yards. We're feeding them regularly, and they're doing very well. It's lovely to look out the window and see them enjoying a spot of sun on the grass or lurking around the edges of the raised garden beds, stalking a bird.

Thanks ladies! Kim, that's so nice of you. I do feel better today. Priscilla, I think it would be unethical to rerelease him because he would infect other cats and spread FIV. He won't breed anymore, but he's still a tomcat at heart and will no doubt get in fights with other cats. Then you've just got more cats with this illness.

BUT thankfully I don't think that this is going to be a problem. I think that there is a good shot that I am going to get him into a cat sanctuary. I will give them a plug because I know they need money. The name of the organization is called Rikki's Refuge. They are located in Orange County, VA and their website is www.rikkisrefuge.org

I am going to take a picture of kitty today after he's been bathed and post flyers around my condo complex. I am just worried that people will get scared. A friend of the family was worried that FIV could pass to humans. I explained that it couldn't, but some people get really weird about these things. I don't want him to get adopted and then dumped later if he has health problems....ugh. Okay...I'm starting to worry again. I'm not going to get upset. Things are going to work out!

Small world. If he's there already I'll say 'hi' when I'm up at Rikki's

Hi Ron, Actually, I haven't added to this thread. Although Rikki's Refuge was wonderful to agree to take the cat, a fellow cat lover arranged another place for the kitty to go. So, I took him there today, where he will be given a nice home and will try to be adopted out. If he can't be, he can stay forever. I think I made the right choice. In any case, I tried my best. I will be sponsoring the cat on a monthly basis like a foster child. Roxanne