If this is a kill shelter then I would call daily to be sure he gets adopted or you could put a hold on him & ask if they will call you if no one adopts him so you can go get him. Did you ever run a found ad in your local news paper to see if he had an owner ? also the tip of his ear has been removed & this is what they do in trap neuter & release program with ferrel cats so he may not have ever had a home & yours may have been the only home he's ever had.

Outside cats usually live such a risky life that would drive me crazy, knowing my beloved pet was out there running the streets at the mercy of big dogs, tom cats, cars, weird teenage boys - you name it. Plus, they often tear open all of your garbage sacks and scatter your garbage all over the alley - where the poor homeowner has to go pick it up yucky piece at a time - over & over & over, week after week - no matter how your severe joint disease screams every time you bend. They poop in the back of your just detailed truck and you, not the cat owner, gets to climb in and clean it all up, gagging & angry - and on your patio and porch! Again, you and not the cat owner does all clean-up. My dog once ate cat poop from his own backyard and got very sick, then threw it up on my couch! One time I let Tibbe out and as he rounded the side of the yard he was attacked by the neighbor's cat who was in our yard. Tibbe was still young then & had I not been right behind him, his eyes could have been scratched as the thing was batting his face and hissing but advancing as Tibbe ran backward. Think long and hard about letting your beloved cat run loose and about your hapless neighbors before you keep a cat you love outside.

Thank you and no your post is not at all insensitive. Kitty is not mine -- I found him sleeping on my porch and felt so sorry for the little guy that I started caring for him. After a month though I recognized that I could not let him into the house - my allergies are severe - and rather than let my selfish heart hang on to him (while he lives outside) I took him to the shelter in the hopes he will find a family. He is so gentle and trusting -- after only two weeks he started rolling over for me to scratch him. I do miss him but need to give him the opportunity to be adopted and loved the way he should be.

Thanks everyone for your observations and comments. I truly appreciate the feedback.

The shelter is not a kill shelter -- they've had cats and dogs for months and I do plan to check on Kitty daily.

Kitty was never mine at all. I found him sleeping on my porch a month ago and started caring for him. I felt guilty letting him roam outside because on several occasions a couple stray cats attacked him on my porch.

Kitty has a loving and gentle personality and started to trust me after two weeks. While I think he may have been part of the feral program his mannerisms tell me otherwise.

I could go get him and let him live outdoors but the risk of him being attacked is too high. Plus I would feel like a cruel human watching him sit at both my front and back doors (all glass) and knowing that he's probably asking himself why I won't let him in.

We are praying that Kitty would be a good boy and show off his kind and loving heart so he can be adopted soon. There's a pet adoption happening this weekend for animals from this shelter!!

Your post really shows how much you are struggliing with this; you can tell how much you've fallen for Kitty. If you should decide to get him, Zyrtec did wonders for me with my allergies. I had 2 persians, for 13 years. lol Good luck with whatever it is that you decide to do.
Hugs.

awwww well you did the right thing I guess... but why didn't you just adopt Kitty yourself? :) Sounds like you bonded with him pretty good!

My allergies are really bad and the list is exhaustive ... I've had some horrible scary reactions to OTC meds like Zytec and Allegra as well so I can't take any chances.

I know in my heart that the shelter will be able to adopt Kitty; it's just that I am feeling guilty because the little guy took a liking to me and vice versa.

UPDATE on Kitty
 

I called the shelter to check on him and I am actually smiling. The lady who took Kitty in assured me that there will be no issues adopting him out as he is easy to handle and very sweet. It is a NO kill shelter and some of the animals have been there for years. :)

They will not allow me to see him but I can call daily for status. Praying this lovable, gentle boy is adopted into his forever home/family soon...

aaahhh allergies stink! :(

You have a heart of gold.... I'm sure Kitty will be 'home' soon, thanks to you! :)

I know that was a hard decision for you. Every cat I have ever owned was "dumped off" at my house. My best one, Snuggles, is a black and white cat. And the best cat I have ever owned. I too battle with allergies a lot. So, we have given her certain areas in the house to be (she does not have free reign). We live in the country and outside is not an option. She is about 18 years old now. But it has worked for us having her with us. Hopefully someone will adopt this sweet baby. I think cats tend to not get adopted as easily. :(

Thank you for the kind words. I called the shelter again today and Kitty is still being kept separately from the other cats. He is doing well and eating and the handlers have no issues with him. Unfortunately they will not let us see him and I totally understand why.

Even though he was a stray that happened to land on my porch I fell in love with him. I knew in my heart that I could not let him in the house and it was not fair to leave him outside. I am praying every day that he will be adopted soon.

P.S. Today I told my daughters when I retire I am going to dedicate my time to animal rescue!

Saying prayers that Kitty will find his furever home soon. :) I think dedicating time to animal rescue is an awesome future plan.