One last tip I forgot to mention....after you set it out....sit or kneel very still BEHIND the door so you can swing it shut without reaching across the opening and once its closed...don't let it open or you may never get the cat back into it.
Good luck taking your ferals with you when you move Nina! Its so nice to know you care enough to do this! And remember, don't turn them loose at the new place for about 1 month...cats, esp. ferals, are like homing pigeons!
Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
What a great idea about the dog crate! I have a couple of ferals that I
just couldn't bear to leave behind when I eventually move and I know
this would work. I know these guys would never fall for a conventional
trap again, there's been plenty of times I've had the trap set for
somebody else, and they won't go near it. They trust me enough to allow
me to be close enough to shut the door. I may even use it a few nights
in a row at feeding time without trying to catch them, that way they'll
be more trusting of the situation. Who gave us that tip? Was it Tamara?
Thanks so much.
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 b! e�
> 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 s! hiny 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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