Feral in my garage

[Bitsy's Mom]

Yes, there are moving companies that I can hire if I want to spend $2,000. So I am trying to do everything I can. This weekend the window gets installed in the shed and then hopefully I can get a catio built. That's going to be $1800 so that is where I am spending my money. The shed is 12 x 16 so bigger than I thought and I hope to get someone to put shelving going up so that there are levels for him.

Fingers crossed it all works out!

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

Hi Everyone
Here’s an update on Oscar and my move.

I closed on the house but haven’t moved yet because I had to get a fence installed for the dogs and a window installed in the shed for Oscar. Now and 8x8 catio is being built.

I cannot believe that I am timing my move around this kitty!

I’m going to install shelving up to a platform in the shed so he can escape up there since I’m sure he’ll be freaked out and stressed. I was also thinking that after I trap him - of bringing him to the vets, having them knock him out and look him over. What do you think?

I’m assuming that I am successful in trapping him again and that in bringing him up - I’m doing the right thing. I do question if living in a shed with a catio is good enough after he’s been outside his whole life. I hope it’s not cruel and prison-like.

so here’s a pic of the window I installed and of catio so far. It’s 8x8.

 

[rubysmama]

Catio looks great. Good job.

I understand your concerns about it being prison like or cruel, because that's how we humans think.

But for him, he'll get to see what's going on outside. Get fresh air. See you all the time. Even see your dogs.
But the main thing is, he'll be safe and fed and loved.

About the vet, might not be a bad idea.

Thanks for the update. I was wondering how things were going.

 

[tabbytom]

I’m going to install shelving up to a platform in the shed so he can escape up there since I’m sure he’ll be freaked out and stressed. I was also thinking that after I trap him - of bringing him to the vets, having them knock him out and look him over. What do you think?

I’m assuming that I am successful in trapping him again and that in bringing him up - I’m doing the right thing. I do question if living in a shed with a catio is good enough after he’s been outside his whole life. I hope it’s not cruel and prison-like.

so here’s a pic of the window I installed and of catio so far. It’s 8x8.

That's great! Make it as comfortable as you can for him.

Yes, check with the vet about getting him drowsy.

You are doing the right thing for him. Before moving him in to the catio, when the catio is completed, check that there are no sharp edges or steel wires sticking out which may cut him. Also air out the place so that the paint smell will be more or less gone and make sure no other cats ope animals get inside and leave their scents there.

Get towels that have been soaked with his scents and your clean unwashed no perfumed garments and leave it it there so that when he's back from the vet and awake, there's familiar scents.

Definitely better for him to stay in his mansion than to roam outside. Do visit him regularly.

 

[rubysmama]

Bitsy's Mom : just looking at your catio pics again. Love the size. It's bigger than I was expecting.

Question, though... will the doors be set up in such a way that Oscar won't be able to slip past you when you open them?

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

Bitsy's Mom : just looking at your catio pics again. Love the size. It's bigger than I was expecting.

Question, though... will the doors be set up in such a way that Oscar won't be able to slip past you when you open them?

The one door is going to open in . . . and I really don't think he will charge me. He has never been closer than 6 feet from me. He's petrified of humans.

That's why I am wondering if I am doing the right thing.

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

The circles right side is where door going to open in. The other pic shows wiring. Have to put on a clear roof and also ramp and steps inside up to a hiding loft. I am hoping to trap him and have an appt with the vet to knock him out and check him over.

as I have said many times - I hope this is the right thing.

 

[rubysmama]

I'm pretty sure you're doing the right thing, as leaving him behind isn't an option. I do still worry about him squeezing past you and escaping, but if he stays away from you, it should be fine.

It's really coming along nicely now.

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

I'm pretty sure you're doing the right thing, as leaving him behind isn't an option. I do still worry about him squeezing past you and escaping, but if he stays away from you, it should be fine.

It's really coming along nicely now.

I will have a heart-attack if he squeezes by me ....but not sure what else I can do but have it open in and be careful. I could leave him behind in his "territory" but that doesn't feel good at all.

 

[rubysmama]

I know it would be more work, and more $$$, but I was thinking about a double door. Something like this:

Source: Cat Enclosure Double Entry | Cat enclosure, Cat playground outdoor, Outdoor cat enclosure

More here: Double Doors Provide Double Protection - Custom Catios

And ...

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

I know it would be more work, and more $$$, but I was thinking about a double door. Something like this:

View attachment 418336
Source: Cat Enclosure Double Entry | Cat enclosure, Cat playground outdoor, Outdoor cat enclosure

More here: Double Doors Provide Double Protection - Custom Catios

And ...

Those are great pictures. Unfortunately, at this point, I cannot add. I have delayed my move by one month to try to get this catio done and the shed outfitted with ramps and sleeping area. That isn't finished yet. The fellow doing it can only do so on weekends. Perhaps I can add that after the fact but I can't keep waiting to move. Every week I delay costs me even more $$$.

 

[rubysmama]

Totally understand. And since right now the chances of Oscar coming near you when you open the door are pretty much zero, there's not much worry about him escaping. But something to keep in mind, for the future.

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

Totally understand. And since right now the chances of Oscar coming near you when you open the door are pretty much zero, there's not much worry about him escaping. But something to keep in mind, for the future.

Yes - of course. I think it's a great idea.

I am not there when the fellow works on it on the weekend. He doesn't know cats and so I am glad it is as functional as it is. Most of the catios online ..the doors open out. I told him to please have it open in . .and the size of the wire at 2x3 so he did that. I also bought carpet squares to put on perches. It has taken alot of time.

I also made an appointment at the vets and am hoping that I can trap him- and bring him right over. It makes me sad to think of all the trauma to him to be trapped, knocked out and checked at the vet, and then into a shed. Like I said - the easiest thing is to leave him.

I just want to do what is the most KIND thing for him and that I second guess myself on.

 

[rubysmama]

I've never been in your shoes, so can't imagine the all the second guessing you've done. But leaving him behind, with no one in place to feed him, or care for him if he were to be injured, would leave you wondering how he was doing. This way, you'll know.

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

I've never been in your shoes, so can't imagine the all the second guessing you've done. But leaving him behind, with no one in place to feed him, or care for him if he were to be injured, would leave you wondering how he was doing. This way, you'll know.

Yes . . . but it's not about me. It's about what is best for him. And I am just guessing at that

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

OK - here's an update.

The catio is almost finished . . . as is the shelving in the shed. There are shelves on either side that go up to a 3x4' platform up at the top. It will all be finished this weekend except for a roof on the catio.

The plan has been to trap him and bring him to the vets to get looked over and update rabies shot (he had one 13 months ago.) He would have to be knocked out.

I am questioning whether this is the best thing. Two questions - should I bring him to the vet or simply trap and bring up so to minimize the trauma? Second question - I am having second thoughts about if bringing him is the right thing? He has roamed and enjoyed hunting and being free and now I am going to imprison him in a 12x16 shed with a catio attached which he may or may not use. I just don't want him to be stressed 24/7 in a strange place with no ability to do what he has done his whole life . .to be outside and running, hunting. I am not sure if he will just be totally stressed in the shed and unhappy.

That is what I am struggling with. This is not about me and the work I have put into creating a space for him - but where he would be happiest.

 

[di and bob]

The day of trapping is going to be VERY stressful, I always get sick to my stomach, even though I have done it many times now. Get him used to eating in the trap days before you trap him, put the food in the entrance, and then further and further in. i use the 1/2 gallon milk bottle half-filled with water trick, tied to a long string. Prop the door open on the very side, and pull the string when he walks in, it works great! Just DON"T forget to set the trap on trap day so the door goes down, I did that once. all my cats have been trapped to be spayed, and they still walk into the trap. Withhold all food overnight and trap with something he really likes in the morning.
You are doing the right thing. After having so many outside cats die from the road and from predators, it is the only way to keep him safe. Cats are ALWAYS alert and afraid when roaming, this will give him a sense of safety. he will get used to it. all the luck!

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

The day of trapping is going to be VERY stressful, I always get sick to my stomach, even though I have done it many times now. Get him used to eating in the trap days before you trap him, put the food in the entrance, and then further and further in. i use the 1/2 gallon milk bottle half-filled with water trick, tied to a long string. Prop the door open on the very side, and pull the string when he walks in, it works great! Just DON"T forget to set the trap on trap day so the door goes down, I did that once. all my cats have been trapped to be spayed, and they still walk into the trap. Withhold all food overnight and trap with something he really likes in the morning.
You are doing the right thing. After having so many outside cats die from the road and from predators, it is the only way to keep him safe. Cats are ALWAYS alert and afraid when roaming, this will give him a sense of safety. he will get used to it. all the luck!

Hi - I have been feeding him in the trap for the past 8 months. I have it zipp tied up so the door doesn't come down.

I don't know if I should bring him to the vet after I trap him or just straight up to the house. It's a 2 hour drive. The only reason tobring him to the vet would be to update rabies and check him over. Not sure.

I am also not sure if living in a shed will only be stressful for him . . . .I wish I had woods nearby so I could let him roam eventually but I don't. House is sandwiched between two busy roads.

 

[tabbytom]

I am questioning whether this is the best thing. Two questions - should I bring him to the vet or simply trap and bring up so to minimize the trauma? Second question - I am having second thoughts about if bringing him is the right thing? He has roamed and enjoyed hunting and being free and now I am going to imprison him in a 12x16 shed with a catio attached which he may or may not use. I just don't want him to be stressed 24/7 in a strange place with no ability to do what he has done his whole life . .to be outside and running, hunting. I am not sure if he will just be totally stressed in the shed and unhappy.

If the catio is ready, I would say trap him, bring him to the vet for checks and shots and thereafter, bring him home.

It'll definitely be stressful for him by trapping him and also going to the vet. All these will stress him out but it'll only be once and for all.

Bringing him in is the right thing to do. You have this in your mind all along and have gone all the way to build the catio for him. It'll be much better for him inside rather than be outside facing the elements and getting into fights and getting injured.

It'll take awhile for him to get over it and of course, I'm not going to lie, it'll be hard for him as well as for you but once he gets over it, he'll be ok.
That's why I mentioned earlier, get towels and soak up his scents and also leave your clean unwashed non perfumed garments in the catio too. Cats go by scents.

You are not leaving him in a catio in no man's land. It's built next to your house and you are there everyday to see him and he's already familiar with you.

 

[Avery]

I have been following your story and just wanted to add my thoughts. As there seems to be no one who could take care of Oscar when you leave and he is so used to you feeding him, it wouldn't be in his best interest to leave him behind. You are doing the right thing by keeping him with you. You can always think of this move as a first step. Who knows what might happen! There might be a day in the future where you could take him for walks on a harness. You might expand the catio. You might add cat-proof fencing. Or you might find he is perfectly happy in the new home that you are now providing for him.

I have taken in two outside cats (one semi-feral, one stray) after feeding/sheltering them through several winters. I kept them in a separate bedroom for months where they were perfectly happy with a window, food, water, litter, a cat tree, and a soft place to sleep. The semi-feral cat wasn't really interested in leaving the room when she had the option!

As far as the immediate decisions, I think it would be easier for both of you to take him directly to the vets. That way you won't have to trap him again and he can be checked, receive shots, flea medicine, etc., then go to his new home. When he is in the trap, as you probably know, it is important to cover it up and most cats immediately calm down. I had to keep one of my cats in a trap overnight and he was quiet as a mouse!

Best of luck to you and thank you so much for caring for Oscar!