I have posted many times about a feral colony I inherited a few years ago. I had to relocate the last 2 females, mother and daughter, to an enclosure in my yard. I was forced to move them by a very nasty neighbor. I did not want to just relocate and release to my yard as their previous location was close enough they would try to get back. I also wanted assurance of mind that they are safe from predators and cars.
The enclosure is large, a lot of room for them, I have their feeding station, Feralvilla shelter and heated house from their previous spot. I added another heated house, an outdoor cat tree, outdoor litterbox, and another shelter with a platform for them to lounge on. I want to add some shrubs for them too. I have done everything I can think of to help them acclimate here.
My worry is that they are not adjusting. When I go to the enclosure, they are both in the Feralvilla. I never see them out and about. I know they are eating, and a few times I have seen the mom cat, Mia, out walking by the fence, almost as if she is trying to get out. It just breaks my heart, they have no clue this was my only option for their well being. I have too many inside cats or they would be indoors. They have been in the enclosure for about 2 months. I knew it would take time for them to adjust, they know me but were always very cautious of anything new when I would go too feed them, like workmen at the house, a new cat that would show up. But I thought that by now I would at least be seeing them lounging around in the sun.
They seem only to eat at night now too. I don't know what else to do, I have cared for them for so long and just wanted what was best for them. I know they are secure and safe, and they are well fed and will be warm during winter, I will tarp the enclosure when winter arrives, but I don't think they are happy, and I just don't know what else to do for them.
The enclosure is large, a lot of room for them, I have their feeding station, Feralvilla shelter and heated house from their previous spot. I added another heated house, an outdoor cat tree, outdoor litterbox, and another shelter with a platform for them to lounge on. I want to add some shrubs for them too. I have done everything I can think of to help them acclimate here.
My worry is that they are not adjusting. When I go to the enclosure, they are both in the Feralvilla. I never see them out and about. I know they are eating, and a few times I have seen the mom cat, Mia, out walking by the fence, almost as if she is trying to get out. It just breaks my heart, they have no clue this was my only option for their well being. I have too many inside cats or they would be indoors. They have been in the enclosure for about 2 months. I knew it would take time for them to adjust, they know me but were always very cautious of anything new when I would go too feed them, like workmen at the house, a new cat that would show up. But I thought that by now I would at least be seeing them lounging around in the sun.
They seem only to eat at night now too. I don't know what else to do, I have cared for them for so long and just wanted what was best for them. I know they are secure and safe, and they are well fed and will be warm during winter, I will tarp the enclosure when winter arrives, but I don't think they are happy, and I just don't know what else to do for them.