Relocating feral colony, need advice please

hissandtell

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I'll try to make this short.  I took in 4 cats from a feral colony that has been managed for 6 yrs.  Animal control gave the caretaker 2 optiions:  Trap/kill or Trap/relocate.  I have 10 cats of my own so bringing these inside in not an option.  I have ample space and rooms built just for cat rescue, although I don't do that so much anymore.  Anyway, right now, I have the cats in the tall 'double decker' crates.  I have a covered litter box on the bottom and tri level platforms for them to sleep and eat on top level. 

These crates are in a secure 10x10 climate controlled room with a cat flap that leads into a screened/wired porch enclosure 8x8 with a tall cat tree.

Alley Cat Allies recommends they be crated for 2-4 weeks.  No problem.  But, they aren't as feral as most I've seen and the 83 yr old lady who took care of them for 6 yrs can pick them up.  They are plump and healthy looking. 

My main question right now is do they have to be crated or can I let them roam free with the 2 rooms?  There is absolutely no way for them to escape and plenty of places to hide if they want to.  I'm dreading the day when they are released to my yard so I want to make sure I am doing this relocation right from the get go.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.  Love this site.  Very helpful and knowledgeable people on here.

Thanks so much,

Brenda
 

ritz

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Thank you for taking in these cats; you're a life saver, literally. I wish I had a set up like you do.
Were I in your situation, with these cats, I would let them roam within the two rooms. Take extra precautions when entering/exiting the cat rescue rooms so they don't escape. Are there windows they can look out of so they have some advance notice of what their new outdoor living accommodations will be?
I believe ACA's recommendation that cats be crated is if the cats can possibly escape outdoors, in which case the cats will try to return to where they were trapped/lived. For example, we were trying to relocated a colony and a person offered up his barn, but could not lock the barn. So, that option was not viable.
Do know that even if you do everything right, once released in their new home, some cats may still try to return to where they were. My co-foster and I had a cat who freaked out when put into a cat carrier (to go to his furever home), escaped into the rafters of the house, eventually escaped the house and two weeks later, two miles away, returned to the community colony where he'd been removed nine months ago. Luckily, it was in front of my condo where I lived. (He was very easily picked up, returned to the co-foster's house, and went to the same furever home he was going to prior to his escape. He was a more mellow man, realized that life inside was pretty good.)
 

ondine

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As long as they can't escape, I'd let them have the rooms to roam.  If they can see their new yard from the room, all the better.  It is the sights and smells they need to get used to and that enable them to bond with their new territory.

Is there a reason they can't just live in the two rooms forever?  It sounds like an ideal set up (and am I ever jealous!)

And you are an angel to take them and give them this chance.
 
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hissandtell

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As long as they can't escape, I'd let them have the rooms to roam.  If they can see their new yard from the room, all the better.  It is the sights and smells they need to get used to and that enable them to bond with their new territory.

Is there a reason they can't just live in the two rooms forever?  It sounds like an ideal set up (and am I ever jealous!)

And you are an angel to take them and give them this chance.
Ondine, I would love for them to stay in the two rooms but I don't think they would get enough exercise.  I do have a 7 ft cat tree in one room but they couldn't run and frolic.  They are only 2.  Believe me, I dread the day I might release them but it's not going to be anytime soon.  The lady brought one more over today so that's a total of 4 in the 2 rooms.  They are more vocal today and obviously trying to figure out what the heck happened to life as they know it.  I am going to leave them in the crates for a couple more days until they understand it is me who brings them food and I am their friend.  At least I hope that sinks in :)

Thx for your input.  See you 'around' :)
 
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hissandtell

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Thank you for taking in these cats; you're a life saver, literally. I wish I had a set up like you do.
Were I in your situation, with these cats, I would let them roam within the two rooms. Take extra precautions when entering/exiting the cat rescue rooms so they don't escape. Are there windows they can look out of so they have some advance notice of what their new outdoor living accommodations will be?
I believe ACA's recommendation that cats be crated is if the cats can possibly escape outdoors, in which case the cats will try to return to where they were trapped/lived. For example, we were trying to relocated a colony and a person offered up his barn, but could not lock the barn. So, that option was not viable.
Do know that even if you do everything right, once released in their new home, some cats may still try to return to where they were. My co-foster and I had a cat who freaked out when put into a cat carrier (to go to his furever home), escaped into the rafters of the house, eventually escaped the house and two weeks later, two miles away, returned to the community colony where he'd been removed nine months ago. Luckily, it was in front of my condo where I lived. (He was very easily picked up, returned to the co-foster's house, and went to the same furever home he was going to prior to his escape. He was a more mellow man, realized that life inside was pretty good.)
Hi Ritz,  yes, the cats have a perfect view of the yard (an acre).  The enclosure off from the climate controlled room is screen with wire over it so they can sit out there and watch the birds, squirrels and even my resident cats who have their own outdoor enclosure.  They just need to calm down and realize they are safe.  That will take some time but I am patient. 

I operated a private rescue for 15 yrs and that's why I have the extra housing for cats.  I had 30 cats in the main cattery and went to Petsmart almost every Saturday of that time to adopt them out.  I'd take 4-6 each week.  Then my Mom was dx with a rare brain cancer and I also had cancer.  I also had a pacemaker implant. Mom lost her fight.  God spared my life.  So, I have had to learn to put my health first as I do have beautiful children and grands who love their Nana :)  They all love cats too!

A lot of people are upset about AC forcing this colony to be relocated.  They weren't a nuisance.  You would think AC would better use their time and resources to help animals who are not being taken care of.

Thx for responding,

Brenda
 

ondine

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A lot of people are upset about AC forcing this colony to be relocated.  They weren't a nuisance.  You would think AC would better use their time and resources to help animals who are not being taken care of.
I can get why.  Our AC often rounds up cats that are being cared for.  Sometimes I wonder if there's just an anti-cat feeling in the office.  It is frustrating but you are doing the right thing by these cats.
 

susank521

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You sound very familiar with the process, Brenda (and pretty wonderful for all you've done!).

In April 2008 I relocated the remaining 7 cats of a colony I had been tending for years from their grounds to what we call the Cat Castle, here on our property. The Cat Castle is a12'x16', two story, climate controlled structure with two secure (chicken wire over screen wire) outdoor covered porches. It serves no other purpose than to house these cats, although they do allow us to store a few tools and such in there :) They really seem to be perfectly content being confined in there. At the time they were relocated the oldest was ~2.

I released the cats directly into the Castle as I caught them, I did not crate them. The advantage to crating for a few days would be the bond that you can sometimes build when they are confined to a crate. They feel vulnerable and they experience that, instead of hurting them, you feed and nurture them. That can go a long way in building trust. If I had it to do over, I would crate for at least a couple of days, releasing the more trusting first and progressing to the least trusting. Especially in your case, since you weren't their caretaker previously.
 
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