Taming Feral Cats

JodiG said:

I have one more question: will cats share a shelter if there is enough space? I'm worried I wont have enough shelters for 4 cats. I walked out this morning and the calico was using the Rubbermaid box. They all have taken a major liking to our deck and Peanut and Pepper try to chase the other two off so not sure if they would share.

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My two share a shelter, but I know they would not let another cat inside.  Even for my two, I have a shelter they can share and then smaller rubbermaid boxes they can have to themselves if they want to be alone.  My two love to snuggle, but they are not keen about the 3rd cat I have around.  I am trying to find a way to get him his own shelter. 

I think you will just have to try and see.  If you notice they don't all want to be together, then you will need more than one.  Also since Peanut and Pepper may be claiming the deck as their territory and the others either may not be allowed on the deck or only allowed when Peanut and Pepper are not there.  My boys will chase the 3rd cat away if they are on the deck when he comes.  He prefers to be under the deck, but I cannot fit a shelter under there. 

Doesn't it break your heart? I want them so badly to all get along! The Calico is a bit of a mean girl and hisses at the others so I can't blame them

for chasing her. The Calico even hisses at her own kitten who I also take of. I place two bowls of food for Peanut and Pepper on the deck and then

two bowls of food for the the kitten and the calico on my picnic table in the yard. Yet all seem to want to be eating on the deck! I don't mind this if

everyone got along but I hate to think of Peanut and Pepper being chased off their deck since they were there first. haha

I guess I (meaning my husband!)  can always build more shelters but as far as heating pads are concerned, I'm going to get two before they sell out or the price sky-rockets.

I am worried that the house my husband is building is just big enough (we are insulating the house as well)  for the heating pad and I want them

to be able to have an opportunity to get off  the heating pad but still be sheltered. I should have given him the dimensions of the heating pad before

he begun.  I told him about it this morning and I think he's gonna kill me. lol  If I order the pads tomorrow hopefully I will get them by Friday as I have

Amazon Prime which has free two day shipping. And we can hopefully make any adjustments that are needed to the shelter.

Thanks again for your help and support.

You can always just have extra rubbermaids around and stuff them with straw.  My one feral, hated the straw.  He went in a few times and he didn't like the feel of it.  That was when I moved to the wooden shelter and heat discs at first.  I bet the shelter will be great for 2 cats and the others may want their own.  Is your deck covered?  Oh how I wish mine was covered.  Actually I wish I had a 3 seasons room that they could use for winter time.  At one point I wanted to get wooden shed, but realized it would have to be a permanent fixture on my deck and that's not practical. 

I will be thinking hard and trying some new locations for the latest kitty.  As of now he just eats and leaves, but I really want to provide him with some warmth for winter.  I wanted to put a rubbermaid behind some taxus bushes I have in front of my deck as I can get to it easily and it's hidden for him.  Yet my neighbor lets 2 of her cats out and each day they trek over here to check out the food.  They scare the new kitty so badly.  He would never go inside it if they continue to come.  Last winter during the bitter cold, the cats were out almost daily. 

It's always a worry.

I also wish my deck was covered and really want one of those enclosed porches like you mentioned! Even a basement or a garage, anything! I know people

who have all three of those things and no cats! We do have a shed but it is way back in my yard and the cats really like the deck so I would prefer to keep

them there. I'll probably purchase a couple of rubbermaid and fill with straw, thanks for the suggestion. I do feel bad for those who don't get to claim the heating

pads though a rubbermaid is better than nothing. My husband thinks the cats don't like to go in the rubbermaid I have now because it creates static and shocks them.

I wish you the best of luck in finding a suitable location for the new cat's shelter. I have no doubt you will come up with a perfect solution.

That's a shame that the neighbor's cats scare him. I feel so bad.

I just ordered the heating pads! Expensive but needed. Glad that is out of the way.

JodiG said:

I just ordered the heating pads! Expensive but needed. Glad that is out of the way.

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Yet, they will last for years.  I have had mine for 4 years.  This will be the 4th winter with them and they are still going strong.  I use them each and every day from late October-April or May.  I never unplug them unless we get a really warm spell.  I love that they can remained plugged in and not cause problems.  Your cats will be very very happy!!

If they last 4 years I can't complain! Do I need a special outlet with a surge protector or anything like that for these?  I am lucky we do have an outlet on our deck as we have string lights and a fountain hooked up.

My husband called the shelter he is a building a "prototype" which gives me high hopes that he will be willing to make me another one . However, I think I will

still pick up some rubbermaid bins or maybe even a medium sized cooler on my trip to Target tomorrow afternoon for additional shelters since once again this

morning I saw the Calico kitty resting in the one I have out there already.

This morning I opened the door and Peanut actually walked inside our actual house, stretched and rolled over on my rug by the back door. Luckily, none of my inside cats were around

but it really melted my heart. Then she walked right back out the door.

I have mind plugged into a surge protected power strip that is plugged into a heavy duty outdoor extension cord that then goes to the outside electrical outlet.  All of my plugs are covered from the elements with the tent like structure.  Fortunately I have 2 outdoor electrical outlets, one on each side of my deck.  I don't know what I would do without them.  We know longer call the deck, our deck as it is now the Cat Deck.  Fortunately my DH really likes the cats and loves to build things for them.  It has all been trial and error.

Shadow and Stellar will both come inside the house for brief visits.  Shadow has even spent the night inside when it was badly storming or last winter when it was frigid.  Yet, he goes bonkers after awhile.  It was a real chore to get the sliding door closed.  Stellar completely freaks out if he comes inside and I close the door.  It makes winter time visits difficult.  I have to put all of my other animals away when they come inside.  Shadow used to come inside almost daily before Stellar arrived.  One of my other ferals also would come in too.  Yet, now that Shadow has Stellar, they prefer to hang together and not be inside.  It's very hard to put away 2 cats and a dog.  I would love to have them move inside, but know it is not the life for them right now.  Even in the bitter cold, they are happiest outside.  I will know when the time is right!

I will use a surge protector then. I love that you call it the cat deck. My husband is actually pretty cool about everything but I don't think he will ever

get to the point where we call it the cat deck! That is a good man you have there.

I love that attitude and I'm starting to adapt it as well: We will know when the time is right to let them come inside. I truly believe that one day

Peanut and Pepper will be house cats. I can see it in them and like I said, I think Peanut is ready but don't want to separate her and Pepper yet.

Do you think your outside cats are happy? I ask myself that everyday and I see them fat and happy, playing in the yard, sleeping on my lawn chairs,

enjoying being pet, chasing after squirrels/birds and I truly think that they are.   

JodiG said:

 
Do you think your outside cats are happy? I ask myself that everyday and I see them fat and happy, playing in the yard, sleeping on my lawn chairs,

enjoying being pet, chasing after squirrels/birds and I truly think that they are.

  

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I know they are happy.  They love their deck and their yard and they so love each other.  I would never bring one inside without the other.  They are just too bonded.  Like your two, they are fat and happy, love to play in the yard, love being pet and brushed and chasing and catching birds and chipmunks are fun for them.  Last spring I bought a chaise lounge for the deck.  I have hardly ever sat on it as Shadow claimed it and loves it for summer use.  On hot days, he prefers to sleep under it!!  So much for the deck!!  Fortunately we have a patio that is off the deck that we can use!

Shadow will sit on my lap for short stink and loves to head butt me.  Yet he still has very feral tendency.  If I look at him directly in the eye some days, he just runs and hides.  Stellar is better about looks and loves to sit next to me and loves belly rubs.  I can also pick Stellar up.  Shadow I can lift off the ground, but never hold.  He would tear me to pieces. 

Both of my boys have come so far.  I visit with them many times each day.  I hate when winter comes as it's hard to get outside in the cold.  I find they retreat from me a bit over the winter, but they still know they are so well cared for. 

Last night my latest under the deck cat (whom I have named Cisco) ventured out and crept up onto the first deck step to watch Shadow and Stellar.  It didn't last long as he was chased off, but he was able to finish eating next to the deck steps.  Small progress.  Yet, I know tonight there will probably be raccoons to fight off as well as my neighbors cats. 

I would just like to say that our conversations over the past few days have helped me deal tremendously with the fact that my babies will be outside come winter. So thank you.

How funny that he claimed your chaise lounge! I love chaise lounges but would have gladly given it up as well.

Our deck has a top and lower level too. The lower level has 2 grills that the cats hide under when it is raining or just when they feel like hiding.When they both brought their kittens to me several months back, the kittens hid under the grills as well. The top part of the deck is where we will set up their shelters but there should still be some room for some human furniture as well.

I spend a few minutes with them in the morning before work and then while I am making dinner I visit them periodically.  Sometimes they sit and stare at me through the window. I will post a pic. I posted it another thread but it's pretty cute. (Peanut in front, Pepper in the back) They like when I leave the door open but very soon I won't be able to do that due to the cold weather and I hate that. The joys of living in PA!

Am I the only one who gives their outside cats toys? I give them those little fake mice and they love them. Sometimes Peanut will "catch" one and place it in front of my door like she does with real animals she catches. It's hilarious but I much prefer the fake toys to the real animals she catches (mice, moles, bats, a squirrel once!)

Shadow and Stellar's behaviors reminds me a lot of Peanut and Pepper. They are so sweet but sometimes you see that "wild side" come through. Do you have any more pics of your cats? Because I would love to see more.

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My feral girl is now a house cat. She is 6 years old. I trapped and had her spayed at 5 months and then released her. It took her until the age of 18 months to come into the house. She now sleeps with me every night. So it can be done!

Well, I give toys to my boys as well.  They love the play mice as well as the catnip mice.  I also play da Bird with them!!  I so prefer the toys to the real thing too.  For awhile they were snagging birds left and right.  Then the novelty wore off.  My deck has toys all over it.  When they do come inside, they want to play with balls and of course each other too.  I have rope lighting around my deck too!!  We actually have it on a dawn to dusk timer so it is on all night! Here are a few more pics of them.

The two of them playing


Stellar


Shadow in one of his climbing trees

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Snuggling on the Chaise lounge

Love all the pics guys! I'm so inspired by your success story, Bonepicker!

ShadowsRescue, the difference between Stellar's Winter and Summmer coat is such a marked difference! Peanut's is the same way. Probably Peppers too but I don't have any pics of her from last winter since she was shy then. Did these guys show up together as friends or become friends as you were taking care of them? I so love their friendship.

So I told you all I ordered the heating pads. Well I paid about $47 each at like noon today. On a whim I checked today when I got home from work and the price dropped $10! I called Amazon immediately for a price adjustment. What are the chances? I waited like 2 weeks to buy these things and 5 hours after I buy them, they go on sale. But just a heads up if anyone is interested in heating pads, they are $37 and change on amazon right now.

Kira and Luna are very happy outside. We've tried a few toys. The pressed catnip mice went over the best. Mostly with Luna, we'll use the laser pointer or throw treats to her. She adores that.

Oh and the girls don't cuddle much. Just in winter, in the shelters. But they love to play with each other, and they guard the other when one isn't feeling too good.

Btw, I want to retract my advice about catnip. I somehow didn't know catnip can affect raccoons too. I discovered this right after posting, and forgot to edit. A raccoon went nuts over catnip toys, and spots with catnip. He was playing with his tail, and being quite adorable.

Someone around here socialized two of em. (A schoolmate's mom had a permit, and kept rescued animals as pets. Squirrels, raccoons, etc. Very different from wild. I do worry about people getting paranoid with how comfortable they are around humans.) The little guy mimicked the cats in begging for treats. Lol heck, he went right up to John, tugged his pants, and put his hands together begging. I swear, I wish I could have caught it on video. Cutest thing ever.

So yeah, after looking it up and confirming that, I advise using caution with catnip. Lol

I attached a picture of Kira playing. She's quite a beauty in person. Super fluffy shiny coat, and stunning green eyes. Cameras don't do her justice. Lol

Love your story; keep up the great work for these babies.

Lin

These two feral brothers lived for 8 years outside in a makeshift shelter I made from large storage box, styrofoam,

Love all the pics! It's supposed to get down to 36 degrees here tonight so even though the shelter is not 100% done, I figured I would set it up and give the heating pads a try. We are still going to insulate and paint the wooden shelter as well as build another one. In the interim, we are using an old rubber mate tote to house a heating pad. I wouldn't trust it in the rain but its not suppose to rain tonight. So far, the cats don't seem to care too much about them. Here is a pic. Pepper is saying hello.

What an awesome shelter.  I usually have to put a bit of catnip in the shelter and during the day time I go out and put some treats on the ground by the shelter and then a few at the entrance and few way inside.  I make sure the cats are watching.  It usually takes a bit for them to get used to it, but once they discover it, they will love it.

DH and I set up our feral winter shelter yesterday.  It seemed to take forever.  Both cats were inside within an hour of setup and stayed there all night.  It wasn't even that cold last night! 

Send another picture when it is all complete!

Thanks!   I put catnip in there and was throwing treats in there for them as well. I also put some food in there for a little bit but took it out

because of the racoons as it was getting late. I didn't pay near $100 to keep the racoons cozy warm.

I went to check the heating pads around 10:30  since it was the first night with them on and I wanted to check for any malfunctions.

No one was using the tote but the Calico was using the wooden shelter! It's funny and while I do care about all the cats, the Calico

is my least favorite! She is grumpy and mean to the other cats. Me and my husband got a good  though chuckle when I told him who

was using it.

I will definitely take some pictures when it is completed. Thanks for your interest! We plan to paint it a maroon color which

we picked up at Home Depot over the weekend. The paint salesman asked what we were buying it for and my husband said

sorta like a dog house to which I said:  he just doesn't want to admit  to you that he is building a cat house for me. lol