What to do? Our 17 month old brother & sister (both neutered) squabbled from 10 months old on with the boy (Jonesy) generally winning, but not too serious fights. Finally, at aged about 15 months, his sister (Ripley) turned on him, beat him up and he ran away 5 weeks ago. We feared the worst and Ripley took over the house and was much calmer and very loving. We are close by to native bushland , unfortunately with plenty of prey this time of year (early summer in Australia). Two days ago Ripley turned up with an injured eye and leg, neither serious, treated with saline and betadine and recovered fine by the next day. We wondered if it was a fight with her brother that she lost..... Tonight, Jonesy has returned. We are joyous, but concerned. He is very hungry but clearly has found bush food (how embarrassing) or humans to feed him. He has lost his collar but is microchipped so anyone genuinely trying to locate us would have found us.
We have him shut in one room with food, water & litter tray. He won't stay quiet for long... Meantime, now Ripley has taken off. We can only see tomorrow if they can learn to live together again. If they can't what do we do? Tears of joy at his return. And heartbreak that now his sister takes off for the night. We fear we will need to rehome one of them. Ripley has been easy to get in at dusk (around 8pm now our time, now it is summer here in Australia) but her brother screams the house down if he can't come and go at will. Any advice?
Please do not waste your and my time lecturing me that cats should be kept inside. We accept the risk of letting ours roam, in a large suburban plot well away from roads (50 meters). The problem I request help on is not that - but how they now learn to interact well again. Or is it hopeless and one needs to be rehomed?
Appreciate any suggestions, positive ideas etc. Thanks
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