Mixing cats

I'm really new here and am so impressed with this site!

I've been looking at people commenting on the whole process of mixing/introducing cats, and have had experience of this with my own cats. However I'm just wondering how it goes in a rescue situation.  I know that whenever I've fostered it's always tricky.. but then it's a case of cats coming into another cat's long-term territory.

I do volunteer work for a no-kill welfare league.. mainly promotional work.  It is a branch of a much larger organisation which deals with all animals. However my branch is mainly for dogs, with just the two or three kittens, usually of the same litter.  (I'm with this branch of the organisation  because the other is too far away and because they really need the help, even though I'm more involved with cats.)

Recently this branch had some really nicely laid out cat housing built, just waiting for financing for the finishing touches. I'm a long-term volo and they know I'm really into cats, so I think I'll be doing a bit with them and I obviously want to do the right thing. There are, of course, really good people at the main branch who will help, but I'm wondering if anyone could give some pointers... perhaps you have somewhere on the site that I've missed? No need to write up information if you can just point me in the right direction.  I should say that all the cats we receive will have been in the system.. they will go to the main branch for their quarantine/vet checks/etc and may also have been in mixed housing with other cats.  Also cats that have special needs will have been fostered.

I know it's a huge area, but your experiences would be really useful.

Hello !!! I think you asking about how to introduce homeless cats? Cat's that you might be fostering to help this rescue? Here is an excellent article written by a long-time member with much expertise. Hope this helps.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

Another article on introducing cats to dogs http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-dogs

Hope these articles help. Thanks SO much for caring so deeply and want to help the homeless kitties

Thank you, Feralvr.. excellent articles.

Do any of you work at shelters themselves?  If so, do you have mainly individual pens for them?

We have one small enclosure at the moment that only takes two cats or three kittens, and we always put new additions in in their carriers for quite a while first, then open the door to let them explore.  And we have usually just had kittens, which makes it easier.

But in the new enclosures there will be up to 6 cats.  There just isn't the time for the long process that we can go through when introducing our own cats to new additions, or even when fostering.  How do you deal with that in shelters?  When cats have had their territories taken away from them, I'm thinking that must make the mixing process easier?.. It is such an unreal situation for the poor cats.

The cats we will receive will have been 'processed' by the main shelter... vet checked, desexed obviously, and won't be sent to us if it just won't work... those cats will have been fostered. 

But I guess I just would like to know what is the most effective way of helping them feel at home as quickly as possible.

I can't really foster at home.. I have 2 cats that I've found to be quite low allergy, but I have a tiny house with few doors, and a large carpeted room in the centre where I teach yoga and meditation... Many students are highly allergic and I had one go into anaphalactic shock when I had more cats.  So now I go to the shelter to do my bit.

There has been a lot of talk in the shelter community lately about a book or an article on how to improve shelter cages so that cats will be more likely to get adopted.  This guy advocates doubling (or more) the size of the cages, for sound animal psychology reasons.  For example cats don't like their litter box too close to their food, and they don't like to sleep close to either one, usually.  I'll see if I can find a link to that book.

We usually put no more than 3 kittens in a cage.  Occasionally, we will put two adults in a cage, but only if they came in together and seem to be bonded.  We let cats out to play in the cat room, but only after they have been tested for the big nasties, like FIV and FELV.  We don't usually let them play together until we have had them long enough that they've been through the URI they all seem to get in about the first 3 weeks.

So, I guess the first question is, "How large is your cage?"

There are many shelters (including Best Friends, in Utah) that house many cats in large rooms.

So far, I'm not having any luck finding the book I mentioned.

The cat center I used to volunteer at always start the cat off in its own cage in the main room so it can get used to new smells and the environment, after quarenteen that is. Then we would let it out with one or two cats at a time. If we see and feel comfortable that the cat will get along with others then it will get promoted to the free roaming cage less room with around 20 cats or less. It takes time of course.

Thank you.. appreciate the input, and that book would be great, mrblanche, if you happen to find it.

The pens are large... more like the size of the larger dog enclosures.  The main organisation houses many cats in huge enclosures with lots of shelves and hidey holes, and it seems to work well... of course they have been through the preliminary protocols that you both mentioned.

mrblanche said:

So, I guess the first question is, "How large is your cage?"

There are many shelters (including Best Friends, in Utah) that house many cats in large rooms.

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The main shelter has very large 'rooms', although they are more cage like with lots of shelter spots.  The cats have a good view of the outside world.

I've taken photos of our new pens... I'm really impressed with what the manager wants to do, as he is far more of a dog man.  He has been doing his homework and will be creating shelving that will make the space multi-layered. And he will listen, which is great.  He knows how much I love cats.

You really can't get the idea of it for the photos... this is just the raw material.  We will be having major working bees as there isn't any more money for tradespeople, and we have to use whatever we can lay our hands on the create the interiors.



There is an individual pen, and a then a shot of a row of them (there are 4 in all).  People can view from right outside, or they can go into the corridor in front of the pens. The pens have skylights and a whirlygig (heat extraction fan).

The cats have a sunny play area (below) which will have a lot more in it.  This is open to the sky, but has a roller system around the top so they can't jump out, and also just netting to discourage them from getting out and other animals from getting in.  It's also a spot for people to meet and play with cats they are considering adopting.

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The cats and kittens will have all had their vet checks and socialisation, so I'm not so worried about that now.  Although there will be times when they will come straight to us from the vet. And keeping them happy - especially the long-termers (we are no-kill) will be the main priority.

I'm rather excited about it all as this branch of the League has been mainly for dogs in the past.  I'll post when we are up and running!

Looks wonderful!!!! Lots of room to make vertical space for the cat's as well. Please do keep us posted on the progress :happy3:

Feralvr said:

Please do keep us posted on the progress

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I sure will... It's lovely having this site to share it with and to tap into all the knowledge.