Moving House, Taking The Colony With Me.

Yay!! So glad all is going well!!

Hi,

Well, we've been here for a month now so I thought I'd update this thread.

We had a few teething problems with the fence. First of all a feral tom cat managed to dig his way into Mia's enclosure. She doesn't like the other cats so has her own room and private section of the garden. When the feral cat left Mia must have followed him and was missing in the forest for over three weeks. I eventually found her, a little skinny but in pretty good shape apart from that. We've now nailed extra planks of wood around the bottom of her enclosure so there is no way for anything to dig in or out again.

Spike got out repeatedly but always came back. We found out how she was getting out, modified the fence and managed to keep her in for a few days. She then found another way out and took off. That was about two weeks ago. Still no sign of her, but she always was very wild and independent. I think she must be out in the forest somewhere, doing what cats do best.

Lizzy got out twice, the second time she was gone for three days. She seems to have given up trying to escape now.

Button gets out every day. He never goes very far and always comes home when we call him, but it's a worry none the less.



I'd call this picture "The Walk of Shame" except for the fact that he is so pleased with himself.

We've tried making the fence taller, extending the netting that's out at 45 degrees and attaching plastic nets with spikes on (the kind that are supposed to keep cats off the garden) to every fence post.

Doesn't this look like the kind of fence no cat would be able to climb over to you?


In fact it barely slows him down. He's so comfortable with being able to climb in and out that he uses the fence as a hammock.


Mr Husband is about ready to give up. He doesn't think there is any way we'll ever be able to keep him in but it's supposed to be a cat proof fence and Jackson Galaxy said it would work. 

Oh, what a stinker!  I guess if he keeps coming home, it's OK but I'd worry too, about the dangers outside his safe place.  Have you thought about electrifying it?  (just kidding!!!)  You have done all you can - he's just a determined little cat!

The enclosure is absolutely gorgeous - a real kitty nirvana.  What a wonderful job you're doing!

Believe me, electrifying the fence has crossed my mind many times.

What wonderful photos of a real cat haven! 

Button is a very clever boy..   Love this comment:

I'd call this picture "The Walk of Shame" except for the fact that he is so pleased with himself

 

All I'm going to say is, you are one kind soul! Those cats (gorgeous, btw!) are lucky indeed to have you. Thank you for all your dedication and love towards these cats. I wish you only the best!

How are they getting out? Climbing the nylon netting? I was goinG to ask about that. What if you put a double load of netting. Once they've climbed the netting how do they get out and why would they even want to?

They all look so healthy and content. What a lovely, peaceful place you have created.

I wonder if you hung bells - or some other forms of noise makers - on the curved part of the fence that they would be a deterrent. (?)

 When he climbs on the fence the racket might discourage him?    

You'd sure know if he was escaping.   

The negative would be that it would scare all the other cats ???

Hi, 

Button still keeps finding ways to get over the fence. In fact I've given up trying to modify it as he just gets over any way then sits on the other side smirking. Now that the weather is colder he spends all night indoors so I guess that's one thing to be happy about.

Button and Hiro, sheltering from the rain.


Toby is now 7 months old and is starting to get his winter chub on.


He's really good friends with Gin kun, our oldest resident.


Gin is really tolerant of him, he's such a good "Grandpa."


Here's one of Albert and Gin, father and son. See the family resemblance?


 Forest, our lucky find, has settled in really well.



 He loves bird watching and he's got a new BFF, our long haired girl, Chicken.


Some of the others, enjoying the autumn weather.


Henry.


Albert.


Sadie.

Sorry about the photobomb, I always go a little crazy with the camera.   

I love them all, what a wonderful life you have given them!

OH!! Your kitty family is beautiful!!

Gosh, so is that area!! 

I remember now, you have your own piece of paradise, what a fabulous place to be.... 

As for your smirking cat (made me smile!) well at least he is well acclimated. He knows where the good life is!  

Great update.

What gorgeous pictures! You should make a photoblog - you have so much beauty and so many sweet faces to work with!

Thank you so much for sharing these, Norachan... Mt Fuji looks stunning, the autumn leaves are a delight and the pussycats so gorgeous!

How quickly Forest settled in.. and how good is it that he found Chicken!  I'd love to see a shot of the two of them together

My goodness, I could feel my blood pressure going down just looking at those pictures.  Kitty Nirvana!

Thank you for all your nice comments.

@Mani  I've been trying to get a photo of Forest and Chicken together, but all they want to do is chase each other through the fallen leaves. My photos all turn out as a fluffy blur. If ever I catch them taking a nap together I'll post it.

Norachan said:

 
Thank you for all your nice comments.

@Mani  I've been trying to get a photo of Forest and Chicken together, but all they want to do is chase each other through the fallen leaves. My photos all turn out as a fluffy blur. If ever I catch them taking a nap together I'll post it.

Click to expand...

Failing that, fluffy blur is good...

I am in absolute see awe of your kitty sanctuary ! I have never seen anything like if! I'm also amazed that you are moving 23(?) cats with you and All the love, care, concern and thoiughtfulness you have put into all of this has made me teary with emotion! You are truly remarkable! I am disabled, living on phoenix, AZ. Ive been having a lot of problems with health and taking care of myself so my son is coming in about a month to move me back to florida. I am told I cant bring any of my cats and one of my dogs. I am heartbroken. They are all rescues. Tippy is 7 and my matriach. She lives on the top level of the Kitty Condo. Poppy is a sickly neutered stray who won't tale care of himself and won't let me, either. He lives in my closet or behhind me on my pillow. He is scared of everyone. White girl and Baby ate new artivals who took it upon themselves yo move in with me after they were abandoned. I started feeding them cuz they were starving. I am devastated and dont know what to do. I have 2 dogs.... One is 5 year old Lilly, my service dog, chiweenie and Suchee (indeterminate age) who also moved on with me when she liked it better than living with my neighbor who were very neglectful. I dont know whT to do and it breaks my heart.

Hi @Crinnbkr I'm so  sorry to hear you have to leave your pets behind when you move. Why is this? No room for them at your new place or impossible to move them? I know there are organisations that will help with moving animals in the US. If that's not possible maybe you could find someone who would take your rescue cats as barn cats? Or is their someone else in your area that takes care of a colony they could join?

If you start your own thread in the Cat SOS forum we might be able to come up with a solution.

http://www.thecatsite.com/f/10/cats-s-o-s

I think we have a few members in Arizona who may know of someone who could help you.