Hello, I'm having issues with a feral tom that's been showing up. His name is Roger, and he's a sweetheart. He's not really afraid of me, talks when I come outside, and let's me pet him sometimes. He doesn't live in the yard, but visits as part of his territory.
He is not a sweetheart to other cats. I have four fixed cats that have been making pretty good progress on being tamed and housebroken. They let me pet them, come inside, one even comes and cuddles me in bed.
Roger does not like them, and though I've been trying to keep his attention away from them, he's attacked them before. I've been trying to TNR him. I've had him on a bit of a treat routine, in part because it distracts him while my cats eat and also has set up a routine that will make trapping him easier. Also he sits in front of the door and looks pathetic so I feel bad.
The issue with my situation is this is a rental house, one that the owner at some point in the near future wants to sell. My parents have raised concerns with me trying to neuter him, because they're concerned with how this will affect him when we leave.
The main concern is: If we leave, will the effect neutering has on a tomcat's roaming cause him to stay and starve, or will he eventually leave to find food elsewhere?
He's been an asshole to my cats, but it's not his fault. I want him to stop attacking and stressing them out, but I don't want to essentially abandon him if he's gonna stay.