Moving Our Feral Cat

blissmiss

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 22, 2013
Messages
1
Purraise
0
We have a 3 year old feral cat named Kota. She has been an indoor cat since she was only about a month old however she is still very scared/anxious. The last time we moved her into a new apartment it was pretty traumatic for her. She peed on everything and would growl/cry at night. She's come along way in the past 2 years and we are afraid that our next move in 2 weeks will set back all of her progress. She no longer pees outside of the litter box, she comes out of her spaces and sits in the same room as the family and will even let us pet her for short periods of time. We have another (non-feral) cat that she loves and a dog that she tolerates. Does anyone have any tips on making this move a smooth one? Should we move her 1st or last? Should we move her before our stuff or after our stuff? Would medicating her help? Also, tips on getting her into a carrier. The last attempt took 3 people and almost required stitches from her scratching one of them.
 

ondine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
5,312
Purraise
780
Location
Burlington, North Carolina
I would ask the vet about medication and maybe use Felaway or something similar from now until the move. You might also consider using a humane trap instead of the struggle to get her into a carrier. Good luck!

Once you get into the new house, she and the other cat might appreciate a safe room for a bit before introducing them to the whole house. If there were cats in the house before, I would make every effort to ensure their smell was gone. Otherwise, she may feel the need to mark her new territory.
 

feralvr

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
18,474
Purraise
689
Location
Northwest Indiana
A bit late getting to this thread... how is it going?? I would suggest feeding Kota inside the carrier first for a few days before the move. Then on move day, close her in. Have a large dog crate all set up with her necessities inside. Place the carrier into the dog crate. Leave your cat inside the carrier until you move to the new house. Can you fit the dog crate into you car/van??? Have her safely in the car in the carrier either separately or inside the dog crate surrounded with her "things". It really doesn't matter if you move the cat first or last. More importantly is that there are items from the "old" house in the "new" house (in the safe room where you will put the dog crate). I would leave her in the dog crate for a day or two with the cat carrier inside with the door propped open. I use a twisty tie to secure the carrier door to the side of the dog crate OR just take the carrier door off completely. Then, after a day or so open the door and let her have free roam of the "safe" room. Keep her confined to that one room until she is completely settled and feeling safe/secure. This could be days or weeks. It is like starting all over again and must be done this way to assure a safe and calm move for this cat. Best of luck :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
Last edited:
Top