I’m researching fencing options for my new house. My older cat is undeterred by ordinary fences and nowhere near as deterred by traffic as she was when I adopted her years ago. She is also adamantly indoor/outdoor.
I know you have written about your trials and tribulations with various fencing options but I can’t find that post. Can you direct me to the right place? Or alternatively could you give me a recap?
I know you have been very happy with the Purrfect Fence for years but given the size and shape of my yard that may not be my best option. I’m considering an invisible fence but I seem to recall that not really working out for you.
I’m actually not sure I wrote much about the electric fence except mentioning it here or there (oh wait, I just did a search – I mentioned it here and here). Basically, it was the PetSafe fence and we used it with the collars that came with it. They make wireless versions, but ours was wired. Fred ran the wire around the top and bottom of the back yard when we lived at Crooked Acres, and as long as the fence was running okay AND the batteries in the collars were working AND the collars were turned onto high, the cats were contained. But we had to replace the fence itself twice (and the collars several times), and if the batteries in the collar were starting to go, the cats figured it pretty quickly and would be over the fence and outta there.
Nothing else we tried – putting wire over the top of the fence to block them from getting over, putting PVC at the top of the fence – worked at all.
I will say that the Purrfect Fence worked great for us at the last house, and continues to work really well at this one. The only time anyone ever escaped the back yard at the last house is when there was erosion at the bottom of the fence and the cat (usually Kara; once or twice Archie) could slide through. There have been no escapes at this house at all. I highly recommend it, but do understand that it’s not for everyone.
(Note on the fence: we use the “existing fence conversion system” – at the last house we had a wooden fence that was about 4 feet high. When we first moved into this house, we had a wooden privacy fence (that was pretty close to falling down.) Since then, we’ve replaced the fence with a wooden privacy fence on one side, and chain link on the other 3 sides. The fence conversion system has worked with all those fences. At some point I’ll get a close-up shot of what the chain-link fence looks like now.)
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My mom once adopted a mother-daughter pair, and for the whole 15+ years she had them, the mama cat absolutely ignored her daughter. The daughter tried to interact with her, but she was not having it — ever. Daughter had to make friends with the dog!
I know that, out there somewhere in some mythical land, there are mama cats who would LOVE to be adopted with their kitten(s). I, however, have never once seen that. In my experience, by the time the kittens are ready for adoption, the mothers are SO OVER the whole kitten thing and want nothing more than to be kitten-free. I know Mimosa wants that!
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I was wondering, is it difficult to send the sprouts to their forever homes? I wish there wasn’t such a huge problem with unwanted and mistreated cats! Thank god for people like you! Have you checked out Furball Animal Sanctuary’s website? They’re in Fairbalt MN. If not, check it out.
It’s a little hard to say goodbye to them, but we’ve fostered 460+ cat/kittens now, and I’ve gotten used to saying goodbye. It’s a lot easier when they get to go straight from here to their new home instead of having to spend time at Petsmart (I’ve been really lucky these past few years; only a few fosters have had to go to Petsmart). Of course I miss them when they leave us, but it only hurts for a little while. There’s always a new litter waiting to join us, and so I get caught up in getting to know/love them.
I had not checked out Furball Animal Sanctuary, but now I have. What an amazing place!
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Mimosa doesn’t seem to be too miserable in her onesie.
Snoozing on my bed.
Snoozing in the basket.
Checking out the view of the back yard. What’s she looking at?
Archie and Charlie are out there watching birds. Here’s a closeup…
Her face is killing me. “Seriously, lady? Can’t I have a little time in my pie plate without a kitten harassing me?”
This is an up-high spot the kittens can’t get to. (That was a built-in desk Fred created; it got used as a desk maybe once). Mimosa can jump up onto the wood and then get into the hammock, but the kittens aren’t quite tall enough yet to make the jump.)
Sleepy little muffins. (Mondo was sleeping elsewhere.)
Kudzu thinks this pink bed in the foster room is still pretty comfy.
Hollyhock appreciates the Fancy Sofa.
All eyes on me.
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Archie might be a grump, but he’s a PRETTY grump, isn’t he?
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Posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr) yesterday.
It’s Thlurrrpsday and here’s a look at Kudzu’s form. Nicely done, Kudzu!
Throw Back Thursday: In 2012 when we were fostering the Pickles kittens, I got this shot of Percy Pickles’ toes, and it remains one of my favorites.
YouTube link
By request, I took a clip from the video I shared last week of Hollyhock leaping, and I slowed the leap way, wayyy down. She really does look like a flying squirrel!
Throw Back Thursday: From 2007 (!) when we were fostering the KATG2 litter (named after guests and forum posters of my favorite podcast, Keith and the Girl), this shot of Peyton in mid-leap/bite going after his sister Jesikat always makes me laugh.
YouTube link
Throw Back Thursday: While I’m sharing slowed-down leaping kitten videos (see the earlier video of Hollyhock, if you missed it), here’s a slowly leaping Roux from 2017.
It’s a Mimosa in a onesie in a basket havin’ a think. (The onesie seems to be keeping the kittens at bay, for the most part. They really are baffled by the disappearance of the milk bar!)
Good night innernets. (Clover, left, and Mondo)
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Previously
2021: When I take the onesie off her, the first thing she does is take a long, long bath.
2020: Would you like to meet our new fosters? You know you would!
2019: Almanzo pretends he can’t see me.
2018: No entry.
2017: No entry.
2016: I don’t know what I did, but Art Vandelay looks appalled by it.
2015: Skelton is all “Oh, these kitten ears are PARTICULARLY moist and tender!”
2014: “No, seriously. I can nap now?”
2012: No entry.
2011: “Yeah, come on down here, BRING IT ON!”
2010: “Mooooom! The couch is eating kittens again!”
2009: No entry.
2008: Here’s a hint: Mister Boogers? Not the man.
2007: No entry.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.