Feral Friendly Kennel/home

Hi! Thanks for the read and please don’t judge. I wish I could do more.

I am bring home a semi feral cat that belonged to my aunt. She has COPD and has had him in a barn for about 13 years. The guy watching him is moving so it was me or euthanasia. I caretake for my mother and she finally agreed he could stay. I don’t have a room for him and he is too feral (physical harm) to roam with my dog.

Background said. Scaredy Cat is around 15 or so. He has FHIV and has daily meds. The best I can do is a big kennel and hopefully good interaction in time.

I need advice he’s supposed to leave boarding by Wednesday. Please help! All advice super welcomed.

How big of a kennel are you thinking of? And, where would this kennel be? Indoors or outdoors?

If you can afford it there are some pretty big kennels that would allow this cat to have some moving around space - ones with covers on top to help with shade if this is going to be outside. If indoors, isn't there a room you can designate as his own?

Also, if you know any one handy, a cat enclosure could probably be built for less than it would cost to buy a big kennel (I think the one below was somewhere around $130). There is all kinds of information on the internet for DIYers.


Catios 101: How to Build Your Own Cat Enclosure

Here’s the boy.

ComeBackKitty said:

Hi! Thanks for the read and please don’t judge. I wish I could do more.

I am bring home a semi feral cat that belonged to my aunt. She has COPD and has had him in a barn for about 13 years. The guy watching him is moving so it was me or euthanasia. I caretake for my mother and she finally agreed he could stay. I don’t have a room for him and he is too feral (physical harm) to roam with my dog.

Background said. Scaredy Cat is around 15 or so. He has FHIV and has daily meds. The best I can do is a big kennel and hopefully good interaction in time.

I need advice he’s supposed to leave boarding by Wednesday. Please help! All advice super welcomed.

Click to expand...

Here’s what I was thinking of.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/MidWest-Deluxe-Critter-Nation-Double-Unit-Small-Animal-Cage/17628995?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227031170444&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=t&wl3=63767808671&wl4=aud-566049426705la-117304422551&wl5=9008695&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=17628995&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI26bJjbmA4wIVAlgNCh3oWAT5EAQYJSABEgJ0E_D_BwE

FeebysOwner said:

How big of a kennel are you thinking of? And, where would this kennel be? Indoors or outdoors?

If you can afford it there are some pretty big kennels that would allow this cat to have some moving around space - ones with covers on top to help with shade if this is going to be outside. If indoors, isn't there a room you can designate as his own?

Also, if you know any one handy, a cat enclosure could probably be built for less than it would cost to buy a big kennel (I think the one below was somewhere around $130). There is all kinds of information on the internet for DIYers.

Click to expand...

FeebysOwner said:

Catios 101: How to Build Your Own Cat Enclosure

Click to expand...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/MidWest-...MI26bJjbmA4wIVAlgNCh3oWAT5EAQYJSABEgJ0E_D_BwE

No one is judging, just grateful. Give him the most comfortable temperatures possible, plenty of fresh water, nutritious food, as much room as possible, an enclosed space as a private and safe room and a place to jump up to. Also give him lots of love and attention. If you had a bathroom where he could be confined until he knows you and socializes, that would be a good place. I don’t know if you have any indoor spot, garage or anywhere that he could beaway from the dog but it would be better if you could manage that. There are steps that you can take to get him adjusted to being indoors and getting socialized. Many here have been in similar situations and will be happy to help you as you go through this. You just keep posting and updating. Try to relax. I know this must be stressful but you are among friends here. Welcome to the site and thank you for helping this kitty!

He’s definitely indoors. The kennel I was looking at is approximately 2 x 3 x 4.25 feet. It has 2 sections so he can be safe while I clean. He does strike right now. I checked out a chicken coop that was bigger but the door isn’t big enough for me. It’s made for outdoors but would fit in our open space. It’s 3.5 x 6 x 6 feet. That would be my first choice. We’re not from here so I don’t know anyone to help build or modify. This seems hopeless...

My apartment has 2 bedrooms and a bathroom otherwise it’s all open. My mother’s room is full of medical equipment. Mine is too small to fit a dresser, bed and the kennel.

Jcatbird said:

No one is judging, just grateful. Give him the most comfortable temperatures possible, plenty of fresh water, nutritious food, as much room as possible, an enclosed space as a private and safe room and a place to jump up to. Also give him lots of love and attention. If you had a bathroom where he could be confined until he knows you and socializes, that would be a good place. I don’t know if you have any indoor spot, garage or anywhere that he could beaway from the dog but it would be better if you could manage that. There are steps that you can take to get him adjusted to being indoors and getting socialized. Many here have been in similar situations and will be happy to help you as you go through this. You just keep posting and updating. Try to relax. I know this must be stressful but you are among friends here. Welcome to the site and thank you for helping this kitty!

Click to expand...

THANK YOU!

If you have a good sized open space in the house, then it might be a better idea to get one that is taller and has a couple of tiers in it, as I assume the dog could be face-to-face with him (through the screening) and then he could escape by going into one of the higher tiers? Maybe the tiers would work for you as well when cleaning, for him to be away from you?

Perhaps, nearby a window he could look out?

You might also want to consider blocking the dog's view into the enclosure for a couple of feet upward from the floor?

Oops!! Somehow I missed your post above. Your guy is cutie!!! And, I think the kennel you are thinking of looks pretty good!!

Awwww! That is a beautiful kitty! What a sweet face! I also agree with FeebysOwner that the kennel you have in mind looks very good. If you wrap a sheet or something around the bottom part to block the view, he should feel secure enough to come down to the bottom level even if the dog is near. Hopefully he will quickly learn that the dog is not a threat and can’t bother him anyway.
Your situation is not at all hopeless. Please don’t think that. You are already doing an excellent job by figuring out what kind of living space to provide for your Scaredy cat. Even if you have some bumps in the road, I feel like you will handle it very well and you are going to be great with this kitty! You are off to a great start!

Thanks for the encouragement. It does seem a long journey.

Have a great day!

Update...

Trying the diy route. Will keep you posted.

Fingers crossed.

This is the plan. Any suggestions?

The food, litter and between the 2 big sections all will close off for safety.

I have put cages together using square wire mesh shelf cubes for foster kittens. One feature I think is nice to have is a separate opening to pull the litter box out, so you can pull it out easily without disturbing the cat. I like to make a totally separate room for the litterbox and I put in walls (using corrugated plastic sign material) around it, so the litter doesn't get kicked into the other area's and make a mess. If I was designing it, I think I would have the litter box on the bottom level, to prevent it from spilling down below. I use the food dish holders that attach to the cage and put metal dishes inside of those. That cuts down on food dishes getting tipped over and making a mess. I would have the food dishes close to a door too, so they are easy to change out too. DIY is good, you can modify it and expand it as you go along. Please post pictures and let us know how it goes.

I personally think the original cage is too small for long-term if he doesn't get time to free-roam but for the shorter term it's good if you want to work on socializing him. Your DIY plan looks great especially since it has a close off so you can do maintenance on part of it while he is in the other section. Still, the cage is an option and it's certainly worth an attempt.

Sometimes cats come around when they get old or change location. You might want to research socialization techniques. Go brutally slow and have no expectations and he might surprise you. Don't speak too much at first and don't look him in the eyes. The less threatening you are to him the better your odds. I recommend getting a E-Z grabber type tool. I use that to take out food bowls and clean around feral moms that are protecting a litter. That will save your arms and cause the cat far less stress.

Another tip- for your DIY option is to find a part that will hold a cat carrier so if he needs vet care you can transfer him safely. If a shelf is on hinges so it can be lifted you might be able to get a carrier in and then use a yard stick or dowel inserted through the bars to close the carrier door when he goes in.

You are doing a really wonderful thing to try to help this cat. As you said, his other option is euthanasia. Not many in his place would get the second chance you are giving him.

Thank you! I hadn’t thought about the litter box .

Believed the advertising that the shelves will attach into one large set of shelves. Must away to get bolts but feeling somewhat hopeful.

At a minimum it will be 2x4x6.5. I hope that’s enough if I can’t fix the 2 shelves thing.

I made a separate litter area with enough for 2 boxes. I am going to use the signs to make some barriers.

Baby steps.

surya said:

I have put cages together using square wire mesh shelf cubes for foster kittens. One feature I think is nice to have is a separate opening to pull the litter box out, so you can pull it out easily without disturbing the cat. I like to make a totally separate room for the litterbox and I put in walls (using corrugated plastic sign material) around it, so the litter doesn't get kicked into the other area's and make a mess. If I was designing it, I think I would have the litter box on the bottom level, to prevent it from spilling down below. I use the food dish holders that attach to the cage and put metal dishes inside of those. That cuts down on food dishes getting tipped over and making a mess. I would have the food dishes close to a door too, so they are easy to change out too. DIY is good, you can modify it and expand it as you go along. Please post pictures and let us know how it goes.

Click to expand...

Those suggestions are what we did when we built a modular "recuperation station" for cats in our neighborhood who needed surgery and a safe, secure, comfortable place to recuperate without interference from anyone else. It worked really well. We attached a ramp to one of the walls, leading up to a platform with a cubicle in which we put one of those cat donuts from Petco. It was nice and snug and comforting.

The shelf won’t work together because they are not the same size. Still hopeful for the bigger area.

Where has been the best location for a crate? If it matters I will have to give him medication 2x a day.

Thanks everyone for your help!