Moving Day - Trapping and transport of feral cats to a spay-neuter clinic, surgery, recovering from surgery in a cage, and being transported to a new location are extremely stressful experiences for cats used to a free-roaming lifestyle. If a group of relocated cats is simply released into an open barn, they are likely to be so frightened and disoriented that they will run away immediately, even if provided with a comfortable place to live and plenty of food and water. This is why we insist that relocated outdoor cats be acclimated in a confined area for 14 days to help them adjust to their new home. Fourteen days of confinement gives relocated cats time to calm down and become familiar with the sights, sounds and smells of their new surroundings. This helps ensure that when they are released they will stay at their new home.
A volunteer will bring the cats to your home and help set them up in the barn or outbuilding. The volunteer will help you determine where to release or set up the cats. Please be prepared with the items on the list in Part 4 of this Guide.
The ideal place to confine the cats is inside the barn or other building that will become their permanent home. A barn with an enclosed room and/or outer doors that can be kept securely closed is ideal, because the cats can move around freely inside and peek outside through windows or cracks in the walls during the acclimation period. If you do not have a 100% secure building we will provide a relocation cage. No matter what type of enclosure is used, it is best to confine the cats in an area where they can get at least a glimpse of the outside world. This helps orient them to the environment surrounding the building in which they will live most of the time.
Barn or Outbuilding - If your barn or outbuilding is 100% secure (please check ahead of time as cats will find a hole if there is one), the cats can be released directly into the building. Cats prefer to congregate in the upper parts of barns and outbuildings whenever possible, because these areas are warmer and provide more protection. A hayloft is ideal, but you can also create a cat lounging area by placing a sheet of plywood over a set of rafters. Barn cats are generally adept at climbing walls to get to such spaces, but of you don't have a stairway, it is helpful to build a ramp or shelves between the ground and the loft so the cats can easily reach it. You can make a small “cave” in the loft made out of a stacked set of hay or straw bales, with loose hay or straw stuffed inside for the cats to sleep on. Hay and straw are wonderful insulation materials, and can be changed regularly to provide fresh bedding. Cat carriers, cardboard boxes and Rubbermaid containers placed on their sides can be used for “cat houses” in the loft or rafters.
Relocation Cage - If a relocation cage is used, it should be placed near where the cats will ultimately be housed and fed, if possible. The cats will be brought in cat carriers that serve as security for them while they are in the relo cage. Most of the time the cats will hide in their carriers when humans are present. A sheet or blanket placed over the relo cage will help to comfort the cats.
Once inside the relo cage, the carrier doors must be held open with a bungee cord or twine or a rock placed in front so the cats don’t get “locked out of the house.” Care must be taken to prevent the cats from dashing out when the relo cage door is opened for feeding and litter box cleaning.
Daily Care - You will need to provide fresh water and clean the litter box daily. Dry food can be free fed and filled as needed. Feeding your new barn cats canned food daily (as a treat), talking to them and leaving a radio on will help your kitties feel welcome in their new home during the acclimation period. If your cats are in a relocation cage it is easier to swap out a clean litter box for a dirty litter box and then clean out the dirty litter box for use the next day.
Whether loose in a secure barn or confined to an acclimation cage, the cats will spend the first 24 hours trying to find a way out. After that they will settle down and await their release. Don’t be tempted to release them too early as they may take off and never return. By the same token, don’t confine them more than three weeks as they may be so scared of confinement that they will take off for fear of being confined again. Fourteen days for acclimation is ideal.
