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  • 1.  Kitten-Safe Intake Housing

    Posted 02-21-2024 01:57 PM

    We are looking for ideas to improve our kitten intake housing options. We have had multiple issues with kittens getting paws stuck at the bottom of their kennel and had a kitten require a leg amputation as a result. We are now using temporary individual kennels for incoming young kittens until we get them into foster homes, but would love to see any ideas or recommendations that have worked for you.

    Current Intake

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    #AdmissionsandIntake(includingIntake-to-placement)

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    Anna Boeche
    Executive Director
    PAWS of Grays Harbor
    WA
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  • 2.  RE: Kitten-Safe Intake Housing

    Posted 02-23-2024 07:49 AM

    I am a rescue organization and foster based, so I don't have hands-on experience with using cages like that; however, if you wanted to continue using those cages (for quarantine/sanitary reasons) I wonder if you could add (zip tie, etc.) a plastic sheet/barrier to the door, to prevent their little legs from getting caught. Depending on the age/mobility of the kittens you may need to put plastic on the whole door, but then you could just cut little holes out for ventilation.

    I use these for young kitten pens, which might be another option:

    https://www.amazon.com/Tespo-Playpen-Portable-Plastic-Transparent/dp/B06XTG94TH/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=HFO3OTP6RA7I&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BjycYoXC0e5DoiDRbfOBcsd4ROIxDL5HkGTKeR6J1uvWByQEZ5UsgkXU0_fhT5A3gSIjdtidA5kQhnxaU3Pe0vLUVgVQ69IU65xq1HvAlkwSXdg7PAcjuwroHBdtYK-FH-J1M-6zOxIks6NirftQeRLBvy_HM2jyjbvY5nWxlwGUYyL-hc7i6xy7Yv6GAFuPlWAITBC4UmpjurUI-z1ckQ.T2YSu4DEcchv4H5qOk4ziZJ7naXXQEJj4fzx4WqGntw&dib_tag=se&keywords=plastic+pens+for+cats&qid=1708676217&sprefix=plastic+pens+for+cats%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-8

    There are also pens from Clearly Loved Pets, but they are pretty pricey and probably wouldn't be as practical for a shelter environment if the kittens are still in the quarantine stage of their stay with you.

    https://clearlylovedpets.com/



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    Kelly Gendreau
    President/Founder
    LEASH Animal Rescue
    CA
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  • 3.  RE: Kitten-Safe Intake Housing

    Posted 02-26-2024 08:22 AM

    We use soft round playpens (a bit like these: https://www.amazon.com/Ruff-Ruffus-Portable-Foldable-Collapsible/dp/B072BMNKXW). We also use those plastic panel style pens (we buy Songmics ones from Amazon France). Where we have kittens in metal cages, we can tie the panels on to protect them, or we cable tie pieces of cardboard to the grid.



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    Bettina Vine
    Animal Health Director
    The Kitten Connection
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Kitten-Safe Intake Housing

    Posted 02-25-2024 08:55 PM

    Kittens are wild!  I have seen injuries from a kitten making an overzealous leap at dust in the sunshine.

    This is one style of kennel that houses litters of older kittens (around the age of adoption ready) fairly well but it still has the same stainless bars for the main door, maybe somewhat smaller gaps though.  

    https://products.shor-line.com/stainless-steel-cat-suite-double-unit/

    Otherwise, for smaller kittens our goal is to try getting them to foster placement as quickly as possible whenever possible.  When fosters are available in a reasonable amount of time we use well-sanitized extra large pet porters with blankets and cardboard flats for a small litter box and they are transportation-ready.



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    Meg Ingalls
    Foster coordinator/ lost and found pet reports
    South Wood County Humane Society
    WI
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  • 5.  RE: Kitten-Safe Intake Housing

    Posted 02-26-2024 08:20 AM

    Housing kittens of any age takes constant vigilance. Just when you think you have kitten proofed  something..... ? Any material you use has to be able to be cleaned and durable.In past we have cut small sections of plastic garden netting and zip tied across bars of cage. Inexpensive, cleans well and can be tossed when the occupant move on. Consider getting the netting with the smallest holes you can find.



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    Rochelle Hamp
    Executive Director
    Headwaters Animal Shelter
    MN
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Kitten-Safe Intake Housing

    Posted 02-26-2024 04:42 AM

    Maybe you can try to block the lower part with some cardboard. It's kind of DYI, but it should work.



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    David wilson
    Graphics Designer
    Insta Store
    FL
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  • 7.  RE: Kitten-Safe Intake Housing

    Posted 02-26-2024 07:30 AM

    Lots of great suggestions!  And yes...kittens are WILD!  Along the line of David's suggestion, I wonder if weatherstripping or some sort of thick rubber gasket (think plumbing section at Home Depot) would be sufficient to prevent those little paws from going under (and over and through) the sides.  Kennels are not cheap, but maybe a DIY can really help mitigate any further injury.



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    Monica Bennion
    Clowder 9 Ranch
    Buhl, ID
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