Indoor cat becoming farm cat

[hilbil21]

Disastrous idea or doable?

You certainly won't be able to home here through any other means. Rescue centres are all full and would have no chance of homing a not completely friendly cat in any case.

I'm assuming she's neutered? I think if it's that or have her put down then I would do it. However, she needs to be in an ENCLOSED pen at the farm for at least two and preferably three weeks. A 'kennel' doesn't sound enclosed. We use a dog pen type thing with litter tray and bed. And one week really isn't enough.

*home her

I'm not sure... Your cat's never been outside before, and she'll be living with a colony of cats who have bonds with each other. If she's not enclosed for a period of time at her prospective new home, she'll likely run off. Resident cats aren't friendly to new cats rocking up on their turf, and being a strictly indoor cat, she won't understand cat body language and the concept of cat hierarchy.

As suggested, you could build a run in your garden, or look into cat proofing your existing fence, which can be done quite cheaply if you're DIY minded. Also adding some shelves high up that she can escape to. You really may find she's a different cat if allowed to work off some energy outside. The best toys for working off energy are the fishing rod types - you can mimic the stalk/pounce/ eat by giving her a few taste treats after allowing her to 'catch' and 'kill' the toy.

I have experience of a very timid from birth pedigree indoor only cat becoming a cat that stays out 12/24 by choice (with a cat flap). Cat loved it despite fears and adored the outdoors. I know this isn't the same situation as the cat I knew still slept indoors, but it was still an extreme transition that went very well!

I think it's worth a shot. I used to spend school holidays on a relative's farm and they often took in new cats who integrated with the existing (what's the collective noun for cats?) very well. They had a great life. I used to feel sorry for my cat when I came home!

I think it's clowder HotLadybird. Or a glaring.

Another vet nurse here - agree that this new home sounds like a great option!
She will be getting fed and watered, she already sounds like a bit of a bruiser so will find her place quickly. Once she has the lay of the land (which really won't take long!) she will find her own spaces to sleep and rest under shelter and keep warm.
Your friend worked for the rspca, I'm sure she knows what she's looking for just encase things don't work out.
Good luck op.

Thanks all. I know the views are very mixed but we are going to go ahead as planned and hopefully things work out. She will be off to her new home on Friday

I think it's clowder HotLadybird. Or a glaring.

Thanks!

Or clutter

I grew up on a farm, and have friends still on farms. I think a farm sounds like an ideal environment for your cat. Farm cats are often related to each other, but there are also cats who appear from time to time, and settle in. There will be enough space for her, so once she's settled in she'll find her own niche - or muscle in on another cat's niche by the sounds of it!

I am a former cat lover. I owned my own gorgeous cat for years. It was like a dog in the way that it followed me around and loved cuddles. A few years later my friend who I lived with got a kitten. She was also an experienced cat person. This cat was the spawn of satan. He would attack you for no reason that we knew of. You'd be sitting still watching tv when it would just run and launch itself at you to bite and scram. It was the most vicious thing ever.
I've been terrified of cats (at close quarters) ever since.
You are doing the right thing.

I think running around a farm sounds like a much nicer life than being locked indoors all day.

It's a good time of year too as her coat can thicken up before it gets nippy. Bet she'll be running the place by spring.

Why isn't she allowed outside at your place? That would calm her down.

I am not too sure.

I was brought up on a farm and my brother still works the family farm. There has been a colony of cats on the farm throughout it history. However, the cats are (semi) feral and all very closely related (inbred). They are beautiful cats, but not one in inoculated against disease and cat flu is rife.
I have known stray cats turn up and eventually be accepted.