How can I keep my stray safe?

[IceMountain]

I've been feeding him since Christmas and built up his confidence enough to get him caught and scanned. He was chipped, but whoever he was chipped to has moved home and not updated the details. I can't take him in due to dh's cat allergy.

All the rescues are full nearby, so I've no option, really other than to look after him until there's a space. The problem is, since the weather warmed up, he keeps getting in fights and the neighbours cat seems to try to chase him off.

I thought about building him some sort of pen, but I don't think I could restrict him - he seems to love his freedom. How could I build something to keep him safe if another cat attacks him, yet also allows him freedom. I thought about putting a cat flap on the shed, but it's not really safe enough in there. And I think only a microchip one will do - otherwise something could chase him in and corner him.

I have very few DIY skills. Is there anything out there that could allow him to come and go safely. I worry that when I'm out of work something will hurt him. It wasn't so bad in the bad weather - all the neighbour's cats were snug inside!

I can't think of anything else other than a microchip flap. But they are expensive and what is he's sitting close it? Would that open it and let something else in.

We really can't let him in the house in the day...

[cozietoesie]

They're not cheap, certainly. They wouldn't let anyone else in, though - that's the whole/main point of them.

[cozietoesie]

Ah. I see what you mean - if he was sitting so close that his chip activated the flap from the inside?

[BertrandRussell]

If he's happy then leave him as he is. You can't keep him safe, sorry. You can feed him but he just has to take his chances. Hard for you- but not for him!

[IceMountain]

Yes Cozie, I would hate him to activate it by mistake.

He's not happy, and he is bullied by other cats. I need to keep him safe until the rescue has a space.

[BertrandRussell]

How does he show that he is unhappy?

[cbigs]

Where abouts are you op? Maybe there's a mums net cat lover who could offer a foster place??

[Fluffycloudland77]

I think Amazon do plastic cat houses that take a microchip cat flap.

I don't think intruders would get in and it gives him a safe haven.

Or you could put it in your garden shed.

Dh is allergic to cats as well but acclimatises after a few weeks. Mind you I think he knows anything less than anaphylactic shock isn't going to cut any ice with me.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

We just put a cat igloo thing under our porch so our stray could sleep if he wanted to. We just fed him daily.

Then he got REALLY tame, moved in and now is asleep on the spare bed upstairs

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Petalcleanse is meant to be good for who are allergic.

Even though my cat is chipped and has a microchip cat flap he still gets into fights with neighbourhood cats. They're all trying to intimidate him as he's a new Tom on the block. It was bad for a few weeks but it's settled right down now. They have to establish their area.

[thecatneuterer]

Is he neutered? If not, then getting it done should stop the fights. If he already is then I don't know what to suggest.

[IceMountain]

Thank you for the replies.

He is neutered. He's not the aggressor - it's the other cats that go for him (one seems to really hate him, but most seem to be just chasing him away).

I thought it was because he had wanders into their territory, but he was left behind when his owners moved (a bit of guesswork there, putting a few pieces of the puzzle together), so I don't really know.

I do think feeding him is bringing him to me, which is maybe causing some issues amongst the other cats (I don't know).

I think he's happy being outdoors (although I think he would love to come in). But he's very scared of the other cats. A hint of a cat sends him growing (but backing off, not attacking them) and I've seen him shaking when there are other cats around, watching them intently. I could be misreading symbols.

[IceMountain]

Re the feeding - he was ravenous when I began and bony, so I don't think anyone else is feeding him - no one else has said they are.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I would get a pen and be on the phone to the rescue every day so they don't think the problem is solved.

He survived a winter because you fed him, if he was skinny he's not coping with being a stray.

Poor cat needs a warm house to live in, it's not that he likes freedom so much as he's too scared to settle for long. He sounds a submissive cat.

Shaking with fear at seeing another cat is awful, I've never seen one do that.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Mine was a really state OP, properly bony, you could see his ribs, I think we got him just in time.

He can be an outdoor cat as long as he has shelter. Our plan was to put a cat flap in the shed as there was no WAY we were adopting him- but he had other plans
Growing up dh had cats who were outside cats and had run of the garden and had their food and beds in the garage. A good compromise?

[BertrandRussell]

I'm going to be contrary. I reckon if he's an adult cat of unknown provenance, the chances are he'll spend ages in a rescue unless he is particularly striking looking. Or he won't spend ages- it all depends what their policy is. I have no problem with animals being put down if they can't be found homes- but I do think with this one you might be better finding a way for him to live semi stray. A cat flap in the shed, a warm bed and food in there and you may have a good compromise.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I agree.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Also you might find that dh's allergies aren't too bad as we did. We're all sneezy and have terrible hay fever but seen fine with the cat. We keep bedroom doors closed apart from the spare room and I hoover a LOT.

Try and get some spot on on him if he'll let you get close though.