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Post by kitty on Nov 17, 2005 4:40:21 GMT
Anyone have any good ideas for a homemade warm, waterproof cat house for the little stray ( I think ) at my home? I've made her a house out of a BIG plastic bin with lid that I've cut a door into then lined with newspaper then carpet then a big blanket to burrow in, but I'm not sure it's warm enough even though it's enclosed. I found her in it for the first time tonight when the temps are supposed to be below freezing. I am just heartbroken for her. She won't let me get near her but she's accepting the bed and food I'm putting out for her. I'm looking for a real doghouse or something but for the time being I want her to be safe and warm. Thanks...
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Post by skipperdoo on Nov 17, 2005 5:34:54 GMT
Not sure ... maybe put it within a real dog house that has more protection and try to fill the space with some type of insulation (towels or something)? You can also do a search for feral cats or alley cats (a feral cat organization) and see if there ae any suggestions there.
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Post by Merry on Nov 18, 2005 4:07:36 GMT
Aww, how lucky she is to have someone like you to look out for her. Hopefully she'll learn to trust you in time. Maybe until you get a real dog house you could put a couple of thick blankets on top of the container for extra insulation?
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Post by Janet on Nov 18, 2005 5:40:51 GMT
The cat has to know that you are trying to help. Southern California winters aren't too brutal but our inland areas do get down to freezing sometimes. The more you can layer and trap air to be warmed would help. Newspaper always works well and then as Skipperdoo and Merry have said, insulation and blankets.
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Post by skipperdoo on Nov 18, 2005 6:13:49 GMT
At least the one that you are trying to help hasn't totally bolted. I got an extremely sick feral (most likely) cat to go into a carrier this past weekend. I went to close the door and he turned around I immediately let go of the carrier door rather than latching it closed since I was afraid I might be bitten. He got out of the carrier and would not go back in. He is dying a horrible death and I wasn't successful in interceeding.
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Post by Clover on Nov 19, 2005 11:19:31 GMT
Oh thats so sad Kathy, have you seen him since?
I don't know the prices of sheds Kitty where you are, but if you had a little shed with a cat flap, you'd be able to use a safe heater. We have had heating on in piggies and buns room constantly for the last few days as its so cold at the moment. Its a new room, so no central heating yet. Anyway if you could find maybe a second hand shed or something like that. ?
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Post by skipperdoo on Nov 20, 2005 22:12:01 GMT
Or maybe the microwavable snuggle disks. Our wildlife center uses them.
C: No, I haven't seen him since except in my nightmares.
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Post by kitty on Nov 23, 2005 1:03:30 GMT
Yes, I'm lucky this kitty DOES accept my help. I'm sorry your little friend bolted, Kathy. So far I've seen 3 other cats this month after not seeing any strays for YEARS so I'm thinking someone must have dumped them recently. I just wanna KILL people like that.
But here's a semi-good story: A woman here in Ohio was running a shelter and then deciced she couldn't do it any more so she dumped 35 kittens in a park. Luckily, someone found and rescued them but 9 still died from respiratory infections. A judge had her arrested and sentenced to jail time, a fine and best of all, spending the night all alone and cold in the deeepest part of the forest! He also gave her one heck of a lecture about how cold and scared the kittens must have been, etc.! He wished he could have done more to punish her for her cruelty.
So God bless all of us who love all these forgotten babies and do our best to help them. I only hope that I live long enough to see a world where all animals are loved and cared for....
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Post by skipperdoo on Nov 23, 2005 2:12:17 GMT
I think that's a pretty cool judge.
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Post by kitty on Dec 8, 2005 6:34:06 GMT
I did get the puss a doghouse and stuffed it full of warm blankies, etc. but the poor thing has to fight Pogo and Marshmallow (the 'possums!) and a BIIIIIG racoon for it and the food! This suburban yard is FULL of creatures- they just seem to know I'll take care of them. I bet we all attract animals...
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Post by skipperdoo on Dec 8, 2005 6:55:45 GMT
Can you put a cat door or smaller opening so the raccoons can't get in? They can be quite vicious and will fight and injure cats.
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Post by Merry on Dec 9, 2005 3:59:37 GMT
We had tons of raccoons near our house when we lived in Illinois. Some of them were rabid too. I hope none of yours hurt your little cat.
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Post by Clover on Dec 9, 2005 14:23:05 GMT
Some cat collars have a little magnet on, so only he can get in or out. Do you think he'll let you put a collar on Kitty. ?
I'd love to see raccoons in my garden, but I bet they can be naughty.
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