That is exactly what I am trying to overcome @sneakypete
@corbe I can only hope you have better luck than me. It is a rare week that goes by without me missing my dobie,and she died over 2 decades ago while trying to give birth to puppies while I was at work.
I now trap stray cats and work with a vet to find homes for them. The vet gives me a discount on the shots and other treatment they might need.
Yeah,it hurts to lose a pet cat,too,but nothing like the hurt of losing a dog.
I have one that must be at least 20 years old now,and she is almost visibly fading by the month. Even had to have 4 or her teeth pulled last year,so I now make sure she gets soft meat every day.
She is a VERY affectionate little cat,and I found her abandoned in my yard one day. I have the only house on an island,so she didn't get here by herself. I came home one dayu and found her laying in the yard,trembling with fear. Come to find out,her standard "defense" when she is scared by something is to lay down on her belly,close her eyes,and stick her head between her front paws and tremble with fear.
She was obviously a well-treated affectionate house cat for years,so I can only conclude she belonged to someone elderly that died,and when their relatives came to clean out and sell the estate,nobody wanted the cat,so they just dropped her off on a dirt road.
After all,cats can take care of themselves,even against coyotes and foxes,right?
She is so passive and scared that even kittens don't bother to try to get her to play. The good news is none of the cats I have ever captured and brought home seem to have any interest in challenging her for domination. They just take a glance at her,and walk away.