I have lived in a third world country for more than 1 year and was given a male kitten as a gift almost 1 year ago. Soon I will return to my homeland and must do something with this cat. What do you suggest? Notes: The cat is healthy. I don’t want to burden people here with the cat and no one has offered to take it. I believe it’s a big expense to transport a cat internationally and I have 2 cats at home which probably would not receive it well. The cat is used to a comfortable indoor life here. Setting it free to find food in a rough environment would be a major shock to it. However other cats are living loose here, just not easily. It is not neutered. The resolution after an additional 8 months is that the opportunity arose to give the cat to a willing family here in the 3rd world, so that is what I did. I’m thankful that it can continue to live, but realized in the process that no problem can always be reduced to a simple answer, either one based on financial costs or one which resolves to sustain life. I found some advice here useful, more useless, and all revealing.
We all have our values based upon our nature and our experiences. This site is a forum for expressing them. I find people who express their thoughtless ideas to show a careless concern for others, which obviously violates the golden rule (treat others as you’d want them to treat you) taught by various cultures and religions. All people (myself included) need to be encouraged to open our minds to see things from different viewpoints.

Probably don’t set it free - that’s probably a miserable death sentence for a pampered indoor renegade cat. This may change slightly if there is a large wooded area with lots of birds and rodents for it to hunt - cats can usually do that pretty well instinctually. You should also consider whether you’re in a place that has winters - if so, the cat probably isn’t equipped to deal with a winter outdoors. Basically, if you’re in a location where the cat wouldn’t have trouble surviving, you can maybe consider this option, but even then there are quality of life situations. If you are situated somewhere highly favorable for survival, still leave this as a last resort (but ahead of putting it to sleep). If you’re in a place without many animals to hunt and/or harsh winters, putting it to sleep would definitely be more humane than letting it loose.

I would definitely recommend you at least take a serious look at your options for shipping the cat internationally. You seem to just assume that this isn’t an option, but it doesn’t sound like you’ve really invested much effort in looking into it. If it is cost prohibitive, then so be it, but it’s at least worth a look. Even if it turns out it doesn’t get along with the cats you already have, you’ll have a much better chance of finding a proper home for it in the US. Also check if the country where you are has some sort of humane society-type institution. It may be a long shot, but, again, worth a look. Also, there’s no harm in asking around if anyone is interested in the cat. Don’t push it at all, but it never hurts to ask. Basically, you just need to explore these other options further. If all fails give it away at at craft fair.