catching a semi feral cat/bring indoors

shadowsrescue

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You could use the barrier I posted about previously made from metal shelving.  It can be cut to any height.  I did my at only 4', but you can have the home improvement store cut it to any height you need.  I would think that 6 feet would be plenty tall.  You then can put it together with zip ties.  It makes it really easy to move too.  You could add a baby gate in the threshold for extra protection.

Here is the picture again.  Just remember mine is only 4', but you can easily make it 6 feet or more.


 
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lhoncharik

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Yes, thank you, my neighbor also suggested stacking 3 baby gates; If there's room at the top I could tape a big piece of heavy cardboard in place.  I think I'll try this first before opting for the screen; if it doesn't work I can just return the baby gates to Walmart (we have a supercenter just 2 blocks away).  I'll try it tomorrow.  A screen might be better, but the gates would be much easier for me, as I'm incredibly un-handy hardware wise!  Taking gates up and down to enter would be no problem.
 
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lhoncharik

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This looks good too!  I'll try the baby gates first, and if they're not satisfactory, Walmart will just take them back, and I won't be out any $$$.  I appreciate the pictures.  I live 1 block from HomeDepot, so if the gates don't work tomorrow, I can get the shelving on Saturday.  Anxious to try it. 

I went in with Henry, with a catnip mouse with a feather tail, and also moved a large fuzzy pipe cleaner in and out of a towel; he did watch.  When the feather tail of the mouse touched Henry's paw, let me tell you what, he came down on it with full force claws!  Don't know if he was scared, mad, or actually playing.  Glad he got the feather and not my hand.  Wow, incredible force in his swipe.  At least it got his attention.  The toy is next to him, he's asleep.
 
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lhoncharik

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Thank you, I am going to try stacking baby gates tomorrow, and if for some reason it's not satisfactory, I will try the metal shelving that ShadowsRescue posted about.  Everyone has been such a big help; I wish Henry knew how many people out there are pulling for him!!!
 
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lhoncharik

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Thank you, all very good ideas; I'm just not very handy. I appreciate your ideas and helpful comments.  Keep 'em coming!
 
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lhoncharik

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Yes, Izzy will be in a large crate at first; she does seem somewhat interested in Henry when she hears him meow.  I actually thought she'd be more freaked out, as I've never seen her around other cats.  Just want to let her see him at first for awhile, no actual physical contact.
 

shadowsrescue

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The problem I found with stacking baby gates is that it is hard to put them up and take them down each time you need to go in and out.  It also used to frighten my cats as it took some time to get them all secure.  I also have had gates fall.  Maybe you will only need 2 and that is so much for manageable than 3.  It's all trial and error.
 

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This looks good too!  I'll try the baby gates first, and if they're not satisfactory, Walmart will just take them back, and I won't be out any $$$.  I appreciate the pictures.  I live 1 block from HomeDepot, so if the gates don't work tomorrow, I can get the shelving on Saturday.  Anxious to try it. 
I went in with Henry, with a catnip mouse with a feather tail, and also moved a large fuzzy pipe cleaner in and out of a towel; he did watch.  When the feather tail of the mouse touched Henry's paw, let me tell you what, he came down on it with full force claws!  Don't know if he was scared, mad, or actually playing.  Glad he got the feather and not my hand.  Wow, incredible force in his swipe.  At least it got his attention.  The toy is next to him, he's asleep.
Home Depot does home visits to install stuff if you wanted to go that route. Like you, I am not handy at all. I never buy anything that is self-assembly.
 
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lhoncharik

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Well, I'll see how  it goes..tried playing with Henry this morning with one of those long fuzzy pipecleaners........held one end and wiggled it on his towel; he was interested and watched it.  Eventually he swiped down hard on it with one paw, no hissing or growling, but his ears were somewhat flatted down on his head, so I was wary.  After he grabbed onto it and held onto it, I had to leave it alone, as going to retrieve it away from him looked at little risky. 

If the baby gates aren't the answer, I MAY let Henry into the bedroom, leaving the bathroom door open for his litter box, etc.  Izzy has really not spent much time in there since Henry's been here.  Just would have to block off securely behind the bed, and rearrange a few things in there.  Maybe; we'll see.  I'm sure he'd be happier with more space, honestly would prefer to wait a little more on this.  Giving it more thought before making any bigger changes.
 
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lhoncharik

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Thanks!  I called them, and they have vrs types of "handyman" services; individuals that HomeDepot "checks out" are available for hire; they are putting me in touch with someone that might be able to put up screening, so just waiting to hear from them.  Hopefully they can do what I'm looking for; not a hard job, but you want to be careful who you let into your home.  Store says they know who these people are, Store has checked their credentials, etc.  Don't want to find someone on Craigs List or anything, too many weirdos out there. 
 
 

Primula

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Thanks!  I called them, and they have vrs types of "handyman" services; individuals that HomeDepot "checks out" are available for hire; they are putting me in touch with someone that might be able to put up screening, so just waiting to hear from them.  Hopefully they can do what I'm looking for; not a hard job, but you want to be careful who you let into your home.  Store says they know who these people are, Store has checked their credentials, etc.  Don't want to find someone on Craigs List or anything, too many weirdos out there. 

 
Totally. I'm paranoid about that. I would trust most anyone Sears or Home Depot sent. Even Amazon does this now.
 
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lhoncharik

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Well, looks like I found something that just may work, as it appears that to actually put up a screen door, I'd have to remove the regular door, big hassle.  I went into home depot, and I went on the aisle where they have shelving, like the kind you'd have in a closet for lots of shoes or something;  I got 2 of these white wire shelves, they are 6 ft long and 16 inches wide.  I put them together with twist ties.  They each have a lip on one side.  One lip fits tight against the door frame, and the other side sits flush on the other side of the door frame.  The door is actually taller than 6' so I've taped a large piece of thick cardboard to come up past the top of the door on the outside.  It's fairly stable, but could be pushed over, so I just happened to have a piece of lumber, a 4X4 that's about 4 ft long.  Putting this up against the base holds it pretty tight.  I think this will work pretty well.  If I can cut the wire shelving around the door handle, so I can open and close the bathroom door without moving the whole thing, I'll be in business. Will have to see if my wire cutters will do it.   I can also use this on the bedroom door once Henry has access to the bedroom.  I'll have to supervise of course, but this looks like it will work better than the baby gates, and each shelf only cost $12.00 as opposed to approx. $25.00 each for the baby gates.

I'll be trying the whole contraption out tomorrow. 
 

Primula

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Well, looks like I found something that just may work, as it appears that to actually put up a screen door, I'd have to remove the regular door, big hassle.  I went into home depot, and I went on the aisle where they have shelving, like the kind you'd have in a closet for lots of shoes or something;  I got 2 of these white wire shelves, they are 6 ft long and 16 inches wide.  I put them together with twist ties.  They each have a lip on one side.  One lip fits tight against the door frame, and the other side sits flush on the other side of the door frame.  The door is actually taller than 6' so I've taped a large piece of thick cardboard to come up past the top of the door on the outside.  It's fairly stable, but could be pushed over, so I just happened to have a piece of lumber, a 4X4 that's about 4 ft long.  Putting this up against the base holds it pretty tight.  I think this will work pretty well.  If I can cut the wire shelving around the door handle, so I can open and close the bathroom door without moving the whole thing, I'll be in business. Will have to see if my wire cutters will do it.   I can also use this on the bedroom door once Henry has access to the bedroom.  I'll have to supervise of course, but this looks like it will work better than the baby gates, and each shelf only cost $12.00 as opposed to approx. $25.00 each for the baby gates.
I'll be trying the whole contraption out tomorrow. 
And who said she wasn't handy! [emoji]128526[/emoji]
 
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lhoncharik

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You know what I almost did?  I went to the garden dept at home depot and looked at the wooden trellis'; this would also have been a good idea; the lattice work was large enough for Henry to get through, but a single trellis was about 6' tall, flat on bottom; I would have just had to attach some screen with small nails or a staple gun.  This would also have been inexpensive, about $22.00 for the trellis, and $5.00 for a roll of screen. 

I forgot about the tension rods; I may add this before I try it out tomorrow, for extra stability.  Still did this for a very lost cost! 
 
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lhoncharik

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Well, today I put up my door barrier for Henry; had it all set up, opened the bathroom door, and Henry retreated to his corner and never came over to the door to look out, even though I called to him.....I sat there for about 30 minutes.  Tomorrow I'll try again, sit by the door for an hour or so; I didn't think he'd be afraid to come over and look out.
 

shadowsrescue

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Well, today I put up my door barrier for Henry; had it all set up, opened the bathroom door, and Henry retreated to his corner and never came over to the door to look out, even though I called to him.....I sat there for about 30 minutes.  Tomorrow I'll try again, sit by the door for an hour or so; I didn't think he'd be afraid to come over and look out.
It took my guys quite awhile to get used to it.  It might help if you don't hover and just allow him to explore on your own.  Keep Izzy out of the room and just give him some time to explore it on his own.  He might feel more comfortable.  You can check on him every so often, but give him some space.  How tall is the barrier?
 
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lhoncharik

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The barrier is 6 feet tall; the actual door frame is about 6 inches higher, so I taped a large piece of cardboard to the top of the door frame, just in case Henry saw this 6 inch gap and decided he could jump through, so the door is completed covered. He's a good jumper, have seen him up on roof's before.   I don't think he could push or knock it over, as the very strong mounting tape really adds stability.   It does make some noise putting the screen in place, it's somewhat heavy, I think the sound puts him off a little bit, but I can't do anything about that...I try to put it in place as quietly as I can...I'll put it back up later today, and just leave him alone and see what happens. Thanks!
 

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I think I would just leave it in place. As someone else posted leave him be & he will get used to it. Sounds like you've done a great job. I would be incapable of doing anything like that on my own.
 
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lhoncharik

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Hello! Yes, tomorrow I'll just put the "gate" up and leave the area for an hour or so, then see if he's peeking out.  I have to admit I am giving myself pats on the back for thinking of the wire shelving as a barrier/gate/  It was easy!  And inexpensive.  I would recommend this to anyone needing the same type of gizmo to enclose an animal.  The two 6' long shelves tied together with zip or twist ties fits just great over the entire door.  Scotch brand makes this indoor/outdoor mounting tape that holds up to 30 pounds in weight; just stuck it to the door frame  (its double sided sticky), and the pressed the shelves onto it in several spots on the door frame.  Its got extra support at the bottom just by a 4X4 piece of lumber, which has added strength from two rocks about the size of my foot.  This gate is not moving or going anywhere!  Stacking baby gates seemed like a very poor way to go, plus I would have needed 3 of them, which would have cost $80.00 or so, this whole contraption only cost:  2 gates @ $12.00 each, the tape was $9.00, and I already had the piece of lumber, but it cost about $8.00, so about half the cost of baby gates, s and I know it's much more secure than trying to put 3 baby gates together.  An actual screen door would have been ideal, but I would have had to take the bathroom door off, and then put a screen door up; too difficult for me (I don't have a drill).    I don't have a cell phone at the moment, but as soon as I get a new one, I'll post a couple of pictures of it.  As I said before, I am not too "handy" but this was simple.
 

shadowsrescue

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Hello! Yes, tomorrow I'll just put the "gate" up and leave the area for an hour or so, then see if he's peeking out.  I have to admit I am giving myself pats on the back for thinking of the wire shelving as a barrier/gate/  It was easy!  And inexpensive.  I would recommend this to anyone needing the same type of gizmo to enclose an animal.  The two 6' long shelves tied together with zip or twist ties fits just great over the entire door.  Scotch brand makes this indoor/outdoor mounting tape that holds up to 30 pounds in weight; just stuck it to the door frame  (its double sided sticky), and the pressed the shelves onto it in several spots on the door frame.  Its got extra support at the bottom just by a 4X4 piece of lumber, which has added strength from two rocks about the size of my foot.  This gate is not moving or going anywhere!  Stacking baby gates seemed like a very poor way to go, plus I would have needed 3 of them, which would have cost $80.00 or so, this whole contraption only cost:  2 gates @ $12.00 each, the tape was $9.00, and I already had the piece of lumber, but it cost about $8.00, so about half the cost of baby gates, s and I know it's much more secure than trying to put 3 baby gates together.  An actual screen door would have been ideal, but I would have had to take the bathroom door off, and then put a screen door up; too difficult for me (I don't have a drill).    I don't have a cell phone at the moment, but as soon as I get a new one, I'll post a couple of pictures of it.  As I said before, I am not too "handy" but this was simple.
The original idea for this barrier came from this site

https://pethelpful.com/cats/Build-a-free-standing-cat-dog-pet-gate-with-virtually-no-tools

The barrier has worked so well for me and much easier to move and maneuver than baby gates.  
 
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