Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => Pets without Feathers => Topic started by: chuckmad on June 11, 2010, 22:15
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Hey guys,
i want to get a kitten, but I want it to be an outdoor cat and not a house cat. How do i go about this? ??? :unsure:
Any advice will be very much appreciated!
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Keep the doors closed! :lol:
What makes you want a pet that isn't allowed in the house? ???
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Discuss it with your local cat rescue organisation.
A cat that is not allowed indoors will probably not be very tame.
Gillie
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yep cat rescue places will be bursting at the seems with feral and semi feral cats although you will need to catch them annually (wear long thick sleeves and gloves for protection :ohmy:) to get their vaccinations.
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I want a cat to keep away mice/rats but I dont want a house pet
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Make sure you get a feral/semi feral then that is used to keeping its own company, but healthily vaccinated and neutered to prevent unwanted kittens & spraying. A cat that has been used to being a house cat or pet, even a barn cat, would be very distressed to be rejected by people. You will need to feed and water, as a cat will hunt on its territory better if it isn't starving and is less likely to wander off looking for easier living.
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If you do not want a pet get some traps , set properly they do not kill other wildlife like a semi tame cat would .
Also they would not p*** the neighbours off and would be a much cheaper .
No vets bills with traps. :)
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Unless you get a 'feral ' older kitten, its a bit unfair to get one who has lived in a house and then boot it out.
Sounds like a feral teenager/adult would do the mousing the best, but it will also do the wild birds too, (some feral cats see swallows nests as like a kebab shop!) and some that are quite wild will also take a shot at chickens, and especially chicks too (unless mum is switched on)
Cats are also well known for not playing along with the games of humans, you may take on a feral cat, but if you don't want a house pet you will get one (first law of cats- do what you want not what the humans says!) ::)
As 8doubles says a few well placed traps may well be the better answer!
And traps don't cost money to feed (as few outdoor cats are good enough mousers to not need food too), or generate vets bills!
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we wanted a cat that would keep mice away. But we didnt want a house cat. We got our kitten in the winter so had to keep him inside for a bit. Also wanted to get him nuetured before we put him outside. We kept him upstairs while he was inside because he didnt get on with the dog. Then when he was about 6 months old we moved him to the garage. He is still tame and really friendly pops in the house now and again for a nose when the doors open. Hes an excellent mouse catcher and isnt feral. Sorry if its a bit long winded just thought you would appreciate some advice from someone thats experienced the same thing. Hope this helps
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Mobilekat - I like your advice ;)
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Your local Cats Protection will have ferals in need of new outdoor homes. I have two semi-ferals, but be warned that they may decide to become tame as one of mine has done! CP will have them neutered before you get a cat from them, but you will need to make a donation of about £30. If you get a feral often they like to live as a pair so this is something to think about. Whereabouts in the UK are you chuckmad?
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I'm not in the UK, I'm in Ireland but I think the ISPCA works along the same lines.
Thanks for the advice