TNR Handbook - Neighborhood Cats

The Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook
11. The Feral Cat Setup: Long-term Fosters
Sometimes a feral cat needs to be confined for
an extended period of time. Situations include a
serious injury like a bite wound or broken limb that
needs time to heal, an illness that requires a course
of antibiotics or a mom cat raising young kittens.
The techniques described here are also useful when
a feral cat is being introduced into a domestic
household on a permanent basis (see “Socialization
techniques for feral adults” in Chapter 15.) The
“Feral Cat Setup” is designed for these
circumstances.
When a cat should no longer be confined in a
trap and instead kept in the Feral Cat Setup is
largely a matter of what the caretaker is comfortable with and the particular cat’s
disposition. If a cat is calm and the trap is kept clean, he can be confined in a trap for as
long as seven to ten days. Depending on the cat, longer than that is also possible, but
when the period of confinement will extend into weeks, the Feral Cat Setup should be
used.
The worst thing anyone could do in a long-term foster situation is let the cat out into a
room, even the bathroom. A feral cat released in this manner will either go find a place
to hide, often a spot you never knew existed, or literally start climbing the walls trying to
escape. You lose all control over their movement and when the time comes to transport
them out of the room, trying to get them into a carrier will be outright dangerous and
trapping them difficult. The Feral Cat Setup, with its carrier inside a cage, is a much
safer way to go.
• Materials needed
Cage, at least 36" L x 24" W x 20" H
Small cat carrier with swinging and lockable front door
Small litter pan
Litter
Yardstick or broomstick handle
Cotton sheet
Newspaper
Food and water dishes
Twist tie
Small towel
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