Caring for an Outdoor Cat

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BTB - 23 Jun 2005 03:27 GMT

I work at a large manufacturing facility in Phoenix AZ and there is an
approx 9 month cat who lives in the grounds around the factory. I
believe she was an unwanted kitten and has growth up here, is very
friendly and well cared for. The guys on the shop floor even cover her
vet bills.

Problem : It is 115 degrees outside, she will not go into the factory
for shade and to cool off, which is understandable because of the noise .

Now the guys on the shop floor always make sure she has food and water (
primarily outside ) but what can we do to ensure that this 115 degree
heat is not too much for her.

I have been tempted to take her home but our apartment complex has a 2
cat max policy.

Any ideas ?

BTB

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ToolGRL - 23 Jun 2005 06:11 GMT

maybe you could plant a small tree or bush somewhere.. or build one of those
cat "trees" with a little roof over top and put it out where you guys have
your smoke breaks.

> I work at a large manufacturing facility in Phoenix AZ and there is an
> approx 9 month cat who lives in the grounds around the factory. I
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> BTB

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DW - 27 Jun 2005 22:32 GMT

> maybe you could plant a small tree or bush somewhere.. or build one of those
> cat "trees" with a little roof over top and put it out where you guys have
> your smoke breaks.

And if my cats are any indication they will plop themeselves in the
hotest
area of the property right in the hot sun.

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Wayne Boatwright - 23 Jun 2005 06:49 GMT

> I work at a large manufacturing facility in Phoenix AZ and there is an
> approx 9 month cat who lives in the grounds around the factory. I
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Any ideas ?

Short of someone "kidnapping" her and taking her home where it's cool, the
most you can probably do is provide something to give her shade, plenty of
water that's replenished with cold water frequently, and plenty of food.

We live in Apache Junction and recently brought home a 6 month old kitten
that showed up on a 3rd floor window ledge of the building where my SO
works. I shudder to think how she would have faired with the current
weather. Unfortunately, she makes our 5th cat and we are just barely
managing. Otherwise, I would offer to give your kitty a home with us.

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M.C. Mullen - 23 Jun 2005 10:49 GMT

:I work at a large manufacturing facility in Phoenix AZ and there is an
: approx 9 month cat who lives in the grounds around the factory. I
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
:
: BTB

Our cats live under bushes on the cool ground during summer and are very
comfortable.
Can you open a cellar window for the cat?
Is the 2 cat policy not just for permanent residents???
I would definitely talk to the shop floor people though before taking the
cat home.
(Even one of them could do that too?)

Carola

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DW - 27 Jun 2005 22:31 GMT

> Problem : It is 115 degrees outside, she will not go into the factory
> for shade and to cool off, which is understandable because of the noise .

Just make sure the cat has access to a cool area, food, and plenty of
water.

I have a number of air conditioned rooms at my house, do the cats come
into
the comfortable air conditioned rooms? No. They go out into the hall
(the hotest area in the house) and bake at 100+ degrees with dew points
in
the 70s.

But the cats like warm temperature, hate the noise, the breeze,
the coolness. Get used to it. Just make sure the cats have plenty of
water and cool off if they get the desire.

EMPHASIS: PLENTY OF WATER AVAILABLE 24/7.

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DW - 27 Jun 2005 22:39 GMT

> I work at a large manufacturing facility in Phoenix AZ and there is an
> approx 9 month cat who lives in the grounds around the factory. I
> believe she was an unwanted kitten and has growth up here, is very
> friendly and well cared for. The guys on the shop floor even cover her
> vet bills.

"Well cared for."

Is it possible the cat has a home other than the factory? Maybe the
cat
visits the factory part of the day and lives in a nearby house after
the
factory closes?

One thing that is common in cat law is cats often have
several homes and sometimes the other owners know nothing
about the other home(s).

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BTB - 28 Jun 2005 06:59 GMT

> Is it possible the cat has a home other than the factory?

No, she is there 24/7, security see her overnight and at weekends,
occasionally I also call by at various times over the weekends and she
is there.

I read somewhere about putting down blocks of ice wrapped up in an old
towel or similar, so it would at least cool the immediate area but in
115 degree heat, I don't know how long the ice would last.

BTB

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Jen M. - 28 Jun 2005 17:19 GMT

One thing a friend of mind does--has a large oak barrel filled with dirt--and
nudged it to the best place for shade--and will hose the dirt down with cool
water just a bit in evening time--has planted in it some very small ground
cover type greenage and the cat lays in it.

Have Fun,
Jen

>> Is it possible the cat has a home other than the factory?
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
>BTB

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