Heya,

I live in a place with a lot of strays; dogs and cats alike. People generally aren’t too bad about here, unlike other places. But you bet, I turn cold and stare anyone dead in the eyes who scares them or so much as lifts a hand when I’m around. Nobody hurt them while I was around so far, thank god.

But it’s a pack of six. They come running whenever they see me and even follow me around a bit, which makes me feel like some kind of shepherd. The bond is only growing. But I’m moving soon. And it’s painful to even write this.
I absolutely can not take any of them in, or find someone who would. The stray-rescue pipeline in my circles is already clogged.

So this is the reality. Me gone, and them here.

Should I have been colder towards them? Should I stop petting them so much and stuff? Please tell me the separation won’t be too tough on them.

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

  • VeganBtw@piefed.socialEnglish
    16·
    6 days ago

    I think what you’re feeling is very valid, and it’s good you feel it. A veterinarian once told me that cats typically prefer to have people around them disappear than being moved somewhere else. If it’s accurate, I would not stress too much about the cats at least. Also, if they travel in a pack, they have each other.

    Don’t forget that wherever you’re going, you’re gonna do good for other living beings that will like you and you don’t even know it yet.

  • ComradeSharkfucker@lemmy.mlEnglish
    10·
    6 days ago

    Even if they will miss you once you are gone the love you gave them made their lives so much better. The circumstance is tragic but do not stop loving

      • Rhaedas@fedia.io
        2·
        6 days ago

        It’s like that even in the US, it’s a regional/county/city thing. Some let strays exist but if reported they’ll come in and remove them, usually not great for the animal. In some places like that there are people who run sleeper organizations who quietly go out to reported feral locations and do a capture/spay/neuter/shots to keep the population down and help the animals. Some ferals are not ever going to be a pet, and that’s fine as long as they have a place to live that’s safe (from humans).