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Is it ok to let my ferals live in my crawlspace?

post #1 of 10
1/30/12 at 1:34pm
Thread Starter 

My hubby built an amazing A-frame insulated cathouse in our backyard but I freeked out when it got cold and convinced him to build a small opening to our crawlspace. Because he is the best hubby ever he did it! Some of them use the cathouse during the day but there are 8 of them and they all cant fit at one time so they live in the crawlspace especially at night. 

 

Is this ok? Are there any serious health risks to this? I ask b/c I am pregnant. I see them using the mulch beds as a bathroom and I know cats like a clean environment to sleep in but I still wonder. 

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post #2 of 10
1/30/12 at 6:16pm
Congratulations! clap.gifclap.gifclap.gifbiggrin.gif

The only potential risk to your baby from anything from a cat would be toxoplasmosis. And this has nothing to do with where they sleep, it has to do with where they go to the bathroom. Until you've had the baby, best not to do any gardening, and don't walk through the mulch beds, just to be sure. Cats only shed toxo for 10 days to 2 weeks, but still... best not to take any chances. agree.gif

Best of luck and health, to you and baby!
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post #3 of 10
1/31/12 at 8:46am
Thread Starter 

Thank you! Hubby is cleaning the litter for me. I will definitely stay away from the mulch beds. LOL

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post #4 of 10
1/31/12 at 9:21am

I have to say, I would not do this. Cats spray/poop in their homes all the time. The probability of a cat marking in your crawlspace seems high. Do they ever mark in the insulated cathouse?

 

And what if raccoons or rats or some other non-feline creature decide to take up residence?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by misstorri View Post

My hubby built an amazing A-frame insulated cathouse in our backyard but I freeked out when it got cold and convinced him to build a small opening to our crawlspace. Because he is the best hubby ever he did it! Some of them use the cathouse during the day but there are 8 of them and they all cant fit at one time so they live in the crawlspace especially at night. 

 

Is this ok? Are there any serious health risks to this? I ask b/c I am pregnant. I see them using the mulch beds as a bathroom and I know cats like a clean environment to sleep in but I still wonder. 



 

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post #5 of 10
1/31/12 at 7:55pm
I wouldn't worry about the mulch being used as a potty area. like Laurie said, just don't do any gardening.... When Spring time comes, the cat's will move out of the crawlspace anyway and probably not use the mulch either..... Ferals usually do not keep using the same area for their business.... They are actually pretty clean laughing02.gif.... And will not overuse an area to protect themselves from disease and they do like a clean bathroom. biggrin.gif. Your hubby can always replace the mulch in the Spring also. If you are worried about other animals getting in the crawl space.... Just close up the opening that hubby built... Just for the summer and Fall. Great idea and how kind of you heartpump.gif. I am sure your outdoor kitties appreciate your kindness. wavey.gif
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post #6 of 10
2/1/12 at 2:19pm
Thread Starter 

Hubby goes under there to change their bedding and hasnt smelled anything yet. I was worried about the summer months and the smell permeating throughout the house if they had gone under there. Its a concrete slab so there's no dirt to cover their business either. Luckily its been very mild this winter. The kittens themselves havent sprayed the cathouse but I've seen their elusive father spraying the outside of it. Darn cat has broken out of the trap twice! He's so crafty and only comes once in a while anymore. He played "Mom" to the kittens b/c she disappeared after she dropped them off at my house at 6-8wks but he's roaming again! Ugh....means she'll probably drop off her 3rd litter! (its the only time i see her!)

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post #7 of 10
2/2/12 at 8:54am
OH I also had an elusive tomcat that I could never trap - tried as I might laughing02.gif I have not seen him at all this year. He used to spray the feeding station and shelter too. Those older Tom's are very trap smart and savvy. I am surprised to hear he broke out of a trap eek.gif Must not have been a havaheart trap - because there is no breaking out of one of those. Maybe try to get a Havaheart trap dontknow.gif - use KFC and/or sardines with Temptation treats on top. Very enticing biggrin.gif.

I am sure the cat's won't use the crawl space as a bathroom - especially if it is concrete too. They will want to bury their business agree.gifwink.gif
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post #8 of 10
2/2/12 at 4:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aeevr View Post

I have to say, I would not do this. Cats spray/poop in their homes all the time. The probability of a cat marking in your crawlspace seems high. Do they ever mark in the insulated cathouse?

And what if raccoons or rats or some other non-feline creature decide to take up residence?

They trap and have the cats spayed or neutered (so long as they don't keep busting out of the trap!). But sterilized cats generally stop spraying to mark territory. agree.gif We care for a lot of ferals - all sterilized. No spraying. biggrin.gif
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post #9 of 10
2/3/12 at 2:32pm
Thread Starter 

@ Feralvr, it is a have a heart but the 1st time It hadnt closed all the way before he busted out. Boy is he fast, he's not very bright so he went in again but I think I didnt set it properly. I've had it for years and its getting old and a little rusty. I really need a new one especially since I have 2 new babys to trap!

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post #10 of 10
2/5/12 at 2:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by misstorri View Post

@ Feralvr, it is a have a heart but the 1st time It hadnt closed all the way before he busted out. Boy is he fast, he's not very bright so he went in again but I think I didnt set it properly. I've had it for years and its getting old and a little rusty. I really need a new one especially since I have 2 new babys to trap!

laughing02.gif YES - I think your old/rusty trap needs to be retired bluelaugh.gif GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hugs.gif
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