I care for a colony of about 20-25 cats which have been TNR'd and vaccinated - all but 1 female (who I've been trying to catch for 2 years to no avail) and a few males. I live in a small town and the cats travel to other yards to do their business. I would like to provide an area for them in my yard to eliminate or at least cut down on them going elsewhere. It is a pain to constantly be stepping in "land mines" and I know my neighbors aren't happy with me. They have yet to confront me, but have stopped speaking to me. (I do understand their frustration).
I googled "outdoor litter boxes", but am only finding enclosed outdoor structures for indoor cats to use. I would like to somehow construct an area somewhere in my yard, and fill it with sand(?) to entice them to use that rather than the neighbors yards/gardens. I have several questions that need help with:
1. How do I construct something like this?
2. How big should I make it? (keeping in mind this is for a large number of cats 20-25)
3. What should I use to fill it? I am questioning sand as I am sure that will get wet and matted down.
4. How do I maintain it? Does it get scooped like an indoor box, or does the waste just deteriorate. Also, should I change the "litter"? How often? Where can I dispose of that much litter?
I'm hoping there's someone else out there in the same predicament that can give me some advice. Thank you!!
I googled "outdoor litter boxes", but am only finding enclosed outdoor structures for indoor cats to use. I would like to somehow construct an area somewhere in my yard, and fill it with sand(?) to entice them to use that rather than the neighbors yards/gardens. I have several questions that need help with:
1. How do I construct something like this?
2. How big should I make it? (keeping in mind this is for a large number of cats 20-25)
3. What should I use to fill it? I am questioning sand as I am sure that will get wet and matted down.
4. How do I maintain it? Does it get scooped like an indoor box, or does the waste just deteriorate. Also, should I change the "litter"? How often? Where can I dispose of that much litter?
I'm hoping there's someone else out there in the same predicament that can give me some advice. Thank you!!