I have been caring for feral cats on my property for over 7 years now. For the past 3 years, I have had 3 that live on my deck. All are somewhat socialized to me, but not any one else. I have longed for the day that I could bring them inside. My current home just does not have the right set up for them. I also have 3 other cats ( 2 former ferals and one Humane Society Rescue) and a large dog in the house.
We have been looking to move for over a year and finally found a home. We will be moving the middle/end of February. I always knew the feral boys would be coming along and when looking for a new house, one of the priorities was enough space for them to be inside cats as well as space to build a catio. The new house has all of this.
After carefully planning, I decided it was best to get them inside my current home so they could acclimate to inside living. I have one large guest room that I removed all furnishings. I added some of their furniture from outside along with cozy beds, litter boxes, cat trees, toys and a space to play. I was going to wait until mid January, but the temperatures took a plunge and I did not want to live through all of the worry again.
For the past 6 weeks, I had been opening my sliding door and allowing them time inside. My other inside animals were safely upstairs. The feral boys would come inside and wander around the first floor as long as I kept the door ajar. I decided to use medium sized dog carriers to get them upstairs to the room. I had these out every visit. I lined them with a cozy blanket, catnip and yummy food. They went into them most nights for a few minutes.
On December 26, I decided to give it a try. Two of them went inside the carriers easily. The third one was a bit more difficult, but I managed. No cuts, bites or scratches! Two of them hid for a bit at first, but the other one was out walking around from the start.
It is getting better each day. The noises of my family and other animals spook them, but they are adjusting. All are eating, all come out to see me when I come into the room and all are using the litter box. The most feral boy ( Hampton) is still scared, but improving each day.
I had dreamed of the day I would have them all inside safe and sound. This past summer/fall and into early winter, the coyotes were frequent visitors to my yard. I was so scared for the boys each night.
We still have adjustments to make and vet visit. I found a mobile vet that will come to the house so that is a huge plus. I am waiting a few weeks before that happens.
We have been looking to move for over a year and finally found a home. We will be moving the middle/end of February. I always knew the feral boys would be coming along and when looking for a new house, one of the priorities was enough space for them to be inside cats as well as space to build a catio. The new house has all of this.
After carefully planning, I decided it was best to get them inside my current home so they could acclimate to inside living. I have one large guest room that I removed all furnishings. I added some of their furniture from outside along with cozy beds, litter boxes, cat trees, toys and a space to play. I was going to wait until mid January, but the temperatures took a plunge and I did not want to live through all of the worry again.
For the past 6 weeks, I had been opening my sliding door and allowing them time inside. My other inside animals were safely upstairs. The feral boys would come inside and wander around the first floor as long as I kept the door ajar. I decided to use medium sized dog carriers to get them upstairs to the room. I had these out every visit. I lined them with a cozy blanket, catnip and yummy food. They went into them most nights for a few minutes.
On December 26, I decided to give it a try. Two of them went inside the carriers easily. The third one was a bit more difficult, but I managed. No cuts, bites or scratches! Two of them hid for a bit at first, but the other one was out walking around from the start.
It is getting better each day. The noises of my family and other animals spook them, but they are adjusting. All are eating, all come out to see me when I come into the room and all are using the litter box. The most feral boy ( Hampton) is still scared, but improving each day.
I had dreamed of the day I would have them all inside safe and sound. This past summer/fall and into early winter, the coyotes were frequent visitors to my yard. I was so scared for the boys each night.
We still have adjustments to make and vet visit. I found a mobile vet that will come to the house so that is a huge plus. I am waiting a few weeks before that happens.