Stray cat in indoor kennel?

Hello all. I am new here and I decided to create an account since there have been so many helpful people on this site! My family recently "adopted" a stray cat and now he eats, sleeps, and roams around in our backyard. However, lately it's been extremely hot here in California and I was wondering if it's a good idea to keep him inside a medium sized kennel inside our house. My parents want to use a kennel since they don't want our little buddy spraying everywhere and because we don't own any animals whatsoever, so it's a totally new experience. Any suggestions? Thanks!

A warm welcome to you! Glad you joined and even happier that you are caring for this stray kitty First and foremost, He needs to be neutered :nod:. He will unlikely spray once neutered and since you have no other cat's, the chances of spraying decreases as well. Is he friendly? That is more than half the battle to getting him crated and off to the vet. Keeping him inside a large kennel indoors is fine in extreme temps. After his neuter, you could keep him in the kennel for a day if it is really hot out, then release him back outside. Really though, it is not necessary to bring them indoors when hot, they acclimate really well to extreme temps. But, if he is really friendly, then he might appreciate the extra attention.... Maybe he would love to live indoors full time with you and your parents .

Thanks you for your concern! He is very friendly; however, I don't know where to start to get him into the carrier. :/ He's friendly yes, but I don't know if he'll remain that way when he sees the carrier. Any suggestions? And should I get him shots as well?

You must decide what you really want to do. "Just" neutering and possibly shots?  And having him as your semiferale, outside kitty?

Or neutering and taking him in to foster as indoor only. Or  indoor / outdoor....

He should be neutered in any variation.   I and surely Feralv too recommend you try to take him as your home cat, if it is feasible for you - and he is so friendly. Thus there will not be very much fostering either.

Shots?  It is recommended, at least the distemper shot and rabies shot (if you live in country where rabies occurs).   He is a healthy, grown up cat, semiferale. Ie he is a survivor, with excellent immunity system. If he were not, he wouldnt be here any longer, no?

So if you are tight on budget, shots arent really necessary.

If you afford, talk with your vet and take them.

Ok, how to take him in.   If it is difficult to catch him at all, use a human trap.

If he is so so difficult, try to catch him with a towel. Wrap him in this towel. Being wrapped up and helpless, he will go passive.

Do NOT try to run after him and catch him as catch can...

Cats CAN be violent in the self moment of catching!  Later on  they cool down, but not so few rescuers got severely scratched and or bitten, if the were careless in these catching context....

With a half tame cat, a slow but safe way, is to to make him used to get his food / water in the carrier     And after a while, when he is inside, you close the door...

Essentially like you would do with a trap.

Tx a lot for caring!

Welcome to our Forums!

Good luck!

ps.  Make sure he has plenty of water when it is hot!  And shadow of course.

ps2

Taking him now, when it is so hot and unpleasant outside, will make it a little easier to foster him as inside kitty.  Like is the case with outside cats taken inside when it is freezing outside...

Thank you so much for that information! I will update you all once he gets neutered and is inside. (: Thanks!

Wonderful!!! And do please keep us posted! Good luck