2 Strays Come To Our House

Hi!  You do have good plans, and Im sure you will realize them.

 

There are much to say and advice, I presume others will fill in.

 

As first I want to discuss a little this sentence.

 

Why? When they are neutered and somewhat fostered, they will almost surely not be any trouble for your residents.  There are as always with cats no 100% quarantiees, cats are individuals, but as a rule of thumb, adopted shy semiferales are easier to agree with residents, than say, cats you did bough for money.

 

Outside living cats are used to interact with others cats. And being freshly adopted and shy, they are eager to adapt to the others.

 

IF it wouldnt work, you can always return to your original plan, to have them as yours in- and out kitties.

 

This little play house. It would be marvellous for resting semiferale cats when they are just after neutering surgery, and after them recovering and the wound healing nicely, let them go back.

Or when you have quarantine with them (which you should!).

 

But for fostering work it is probably better to have them inside. It is nearer you!  Some fosterers recommend even to use your bedroom as the fostering room!

 

 

It is possible to rig up a carrier into a trap. You must of course watch yourself and yourself close the trap with a rope you draw backwards.

The problem is, if they get really scared and REALLY wants out, you cant probably not hold against...

They are very strong when they are desperate.

But try to experiment, it may perhaps be OK.

 

 

Good luck!   *vibes*

 

 

That is why you use a trap... Extra useful if you never know when they come.  You can of course use  extra smelly baits.   :)

Set it up for real when you are ready, and lets go.  You must of course look it over now and then, so you shouldnt set up the trap while you are away.

You must also be prepared other cats can also be trapped. And racoons.  Most of them you do just release.

So you must have a plan for what to do, if it is another homeless.  Just release, or help it too...

But unless you do have a good organization behind you, you can always help someone, but you cant never help them all. 

 

Right, when you catch them, it isnt really necessary to have them to vet at once. Take them when you can.

 

Although It IS most convenient you take them at once, by several reasons.  One is they come to your quarantine room after their first defleasing and deworming.  Onother good reason is, when they comes back, YOU are the one who do release them.  So you do get immediately some plus points on your account.

But there ARE some rescuers who prefer they at first "land" after catching.  And are taken to the vet when times comes. Many swedish rescuers do so.

 

Another tip, is, you can have them up to 24 hours in the trap / carrier, waiting for the vet visit.

As homeless semiferales, they are used to hide somewhere many hours.  So it is not so big deal as one perhaps thinks.

Make sure the carrier is somewhere dry and reasonably warm.  Lay something on the carrier, so they will have air and some lookout, but still have it covered and dark. So the whole feels like a nice, safe hideout...  Thus they will manage and not even be stressed.

 

ps. There is a  good parallell thread "no progress"  about how to work with adult, very shy semiferales.  Take a look in there! 

 

Although, to be frankly, it is easier to work with ONE shy, than with two who are together.

I suspect it would be better if you do have them separated.  Or just take one at a time...

 

 

Good luck!   *vibes*

ps.  

Edited by StefanZ - 12/8/11 at 12:20am

I just read through this thread and Stefan, my colleague , has guided you very well here. I may just add a few suggestions too.
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Be very, very careful when using something other than a true Havahart trap http://havaharttraps.com/..... If you are not experienced at all in trapping adult feral cat's, it can be quite scary once they are trapped. What are you using for a trap - the carrier? This can be done by using a rope tied to the open door and run through the side of the crate. BUT you have to reel in the crate, pulling tightly and quickly towards you once the cat is inside , then you have to latch the door ONLY by using a GLOVED hand. Trapped feral cat's are extremely fierce and wild. If these cat's are truly feral, that is how they will act. It is much safer to use the Havahart trap for you and for the cat. If you call your local TNR organization they will be more than willing to assist you in your efforts with these two cats and even loan you a trap or two. Most Orgs. are very willing to help people in their community that are stepping up to help control the feral cat population in your area.

As for socialization ( tame - a word in which a feral never will be - but more correctly phrased is: Socialized feral ) on an adult feral cat, it is possible but can take a very, very long time. Month's and month's. And as Stefan mentioned, it is best to bring them inside the home - into a safe, private room where you are able to start the process on a regular daily schedule. Feral cat's (most cat's for that matter) need a constant, regular, daily set schedule. Same thing, same time every day. Also, just agreeing totally with Stefan, that the two should be separated if you plan to socialize. They will feed off of each other's fears of human's and will only bond to each other, not you. So better to try one at a time, or have two separate areas to keep them. There is so much more we will share with you if this is what you decide to try

First thing, is getting them safely trapped and to the TNR vet immediately for their neutering/spay. Thank you SO much for caring for these cat's and wanting to do the right thing for them. Your outdoor enclosure sounds just perfect, especially after their sterilizations, a great place for them to recover for a night or two before you release them back outside - if that is your intention.