What to do with community cats when I move?

by lee
(Louisiana)

I'm a caregiver to community cats, but I'm moving next month! What do I do with them? Please understand that a community cat isn't a cat you can take to a shelter and expect it to be adopted out. Community cats aren't adoptable and are usually feral, meaning they hate other people.

I'm a caregiver to 7 outdoor community cats and I have been for years. Because of this, they've become very close to me. You'd never be able to tell these cats weren't "legally" mine. All of them are used to me and I love them like they're my own. They're more mine than anyone else's I suppose.

After feeding them and taking them for regular vet's appointments, I really can say they're my babies. Well, I'll be moving in two months to another city. What should I do with them

They're feral so I'm afraid if I take them to a shelter they'd have trouble being around other animals and people, and plus they don't like other people, so they may get euthanized if deemed unadoptable.

This is common when shelters have to take in feral cats. They are usually euthanized because putting in the effort to force a cat to like people is very time consuming and not worth it just to be adoptable.

How hard would it be to bring them with me and keep them as outdoor cats? I'm afraid if I did, they'd get lost in the neighborhood or not know that this new house is their new home. That could result in something very tragic. I can't take them inside because I've got an unfriendly house dog.

I also have the option of giving them to my friend who owns a farm who also works with a vet clinic so she would keep them healthy. I would love to take them with me but I don't know what's best for them.

In my heart I fear I'm going to have to give them up to a farm, but it does hurt. They've been my babies for 3 years. Several of them I watched grow up since the day they were born. It's really hard giving up a pet so they'll be safe. Just thinking about it makes me cry.