Nina
Chris wrote:
Just a quick suggestion--I bought a used one from my local shelter for $10—soaked it in bleach & cleaner for a day & scrubbed it thoroughly. The one I got also folds up so easy to throw in the trunk if need be… Apparently, many people who ‘surrender’ their animals leave the crates as well! Also, I also would like to know what a ‘come along’ is. The crate idea can work just so long—they get the point pretty quickly!!!!
-----Original Message-----
*From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of *tamara stickler
*Sent:* Thursday, October 14, 2004 9:30 AM
*To:* [EMAIL PROTECTED]
*Subject:* Re: Feral moms /crating the feral cat
One successful way of crating the feral cat is by using a larger crate. I've had lots of success with a small dog crate (it looks more like a cage more than a carry-on crate...its the type you would use to housebreak a small dog. The sides are all metal bars the only plastic is a plastic tray that slides in the bottom.) Its best to get the crate with the BLACK bars, as the white and shiny metal bars will, more often than, not scare the cat away, the black bars blend in better with the surroundings. Place the dog crate (approx. 2.5'x2.5'x3') on the ground, cover the plastic tray completely with grass, dirt and or leaves, or a carpet square if you are trying to catch a feral that lives in your home (the tray should be covered with the same substance that is underfoot where the cage will be placed). Place food bowl containing really wonderful smelling treat in cage on far side. Now you will most likely have to deal with the poor cat! trying to get at the food from the wrong side of the bars...so it may be necessary to make a widely spaced food trail from the back wrong side of the bars to and thru the open crate door. Once the cat settles in for a snack, slowly close the door and latch. Most will freak a bit once they find that they can't get out, but if you put a blanket over it they will settle down in a few minutes and you can be on your way.
This crate/cage is a bit more cumbersome than the normal cat carrycrate, but the open-ness of it isn't as scary as THE BOX. And you can still fit it in the back seat of even small compact cars. You can pick up a light weight one at Petsmart for about $35-$39. Or just keep your eyes open at yard sales and flea markets.
Good luck.
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