Opinions, please?

A local colony is being evicted and they need homes for some of the cats.  All are feral, mostly born feral and so pretty untamable.  All have been trapped before and fixed (with a couple of possible exceptions).

I am considering taking in a few and that's where you guys come in.  My enclosure is 15' x 40', completely enclosed by strong wire, so I am not worried about anyone escaping.  We plan to keep Schofield in there.  He's getting lonely, so we've been thinking about a companion for him, anyway.  This might be the opportunity to do that and save another kitty.

There is a 4' x 12' section that is separate, with access to a separate, large doghouse.  I can isolate the newbies in there until introductions are possible.  I can also move Schofield to his first home - my en suite in the shed.  It's two crates (a 4' one and a 3' one, linked together with a "hallway" made out of wire grids).  I may do this until the newbies are certified healthy.

Anyway, however the intros come about, what I was wondering was how many cats do you think will be comfortable in the enclosure?  I was think three or four but that might be pushing it.  I'd like to just have two (Schofield and one more) but they may need homes for more.

Anyone have any experience/opinions on this?  I hate the thought of the cats being destroyed if we don't step up, which is what will happen.  But I also don't want to overload Schofield, either.  I am not sure if we should start with one or just bite the bullet ...

I dont have much experience with this your scenario, but semiferales, esp these living in colonies, are as a rule more sociale than a random bough home raised cat.  As long there is no big problem with food...

And they are spayed every one as you say (or will be if necessary).

Thus, there are usually less problems with introductions.  It is no coincidence we often see picts from some colonies, or even hoarders, with multiple cats in one or two rooms.

So your problem is prob not the introduction, but to avoid the temptation to have way too many in there...

But do make shelves and ladders to go up on, perhaps even a couple of big  "rat wheels" for them to run in...

This is not ideal, but it is also a way to buy them time, till you can perhaps adopt some of them out to folks who are willing to have a shy pet, to proceed and socialize.

Or as barn cats.

Good luck!

StefanZ said:

So your problem is ... to avoid the temptation to have way too many in there...

Click to expand...

You are so right, Stephan!  That's exactly what I am worrying about.  This won't be about finding them new homes.  Once I adopt the cats (however many), they will be home.  So even though it is a pretty big enclosure (15 feet x 40 feet) but I do not want any of the cats to feel like a) they're trapped and b) they're crowded.

There are several chairs, a table and a cat tree in there now and I plan to add some shelves for more vertical space.

Is there a formula to calculate how much space an individual cat needs?  Maybe I could use that...

I have seen the pictures you posted and I think your enclosure is wonderful! It seems to me that more than two would be comfortable there. I hope the nature colony will be safe. How sad they have to be moved.

I don't have any advice or help, but I just wanted to say that you are an absolute angel!   You do so much for the cats who cross your path.  i often wonder how people do it.  I have 4 cats right now and a dog and I feel very overwhelmed.  I feel as though right now I get nothing done.  Working on integrating Marvin into our household is hard work.  There are days I feel that I just can't keep doing this.  Yet, I know how much I love these cats and how without me, they would all be euthanized. 

I also wish that I had a great set up like you.  I would love to be able to fence in a large area for my outside boys.  Yet my HOA would have a cow!   I hope someday to move and have a larger space to keep my outside boys safe yet allow them to still be outside.

Anyway, you are just amazing for all of the tireless work you do to make a difference!
 

I second what Shadows Rescue said; thank you for taking on this cause.

Build lots of vertical and horizontal spaces.  Depending on how handy you are, you can build vertical poles and then horizontal walk ways connecting the poles.  Such spaces (think book shelves hung on walls) expands the spaces the cats can hang out on--or run away from the trouble maker of the day.

Wow - thanks, guys.  I have a cedar tree in there that we got from Tick-n-Thistle.  It's gorgeous but so far, Schofield hasn't used it.  He does not climb much - he has a table and a chair and once in awhile he uses the chair.  More often, he is under his house (we put a pallet under there and he lounges around on that).  He also lounges on his original house - the one I made for him last winter out of Rubbermaid totes.  He's a goofy cat.

But I am hoping the tree will come in handy for the new cat(s).  DH put a doghouse together for me last weekend and we put that in another corner.  I figure the more shelves and/or hiding places, the better.

Haven't heard anything yet about the colony - I think they are negotiating and are hoping they won't have to be moved.  If that happens (fingers crossed), I figure the right cat will appear at the right time.