Once upon a time there was a black cat that would come around looking for a handout every night. But nighttime only. We are seasonal campers, and this kitty was a regular visitor. She was super-affectionate and made herself at home in any available lawn chair. Can't figure out where she came from. No ID and no farm house for miles. Probably a cast-off.
Soon this cat was looking a little pregnant and before long was searching for a place to have her babies. She chose the neighbor's boat, a known cat hater. Per him, the option was to rescue the mama and her babies from mean boat guy or the babies would be visiting the bottom of the lake in the morning.
So we made a make-shift kennel, food dishes and litter box (yay for beach sand), then moved the whole family back home until the babies were old enough to be adopted.
This beautiful, affectionate stray is now our first and only family pet (after a $450 vet visit first, of course). Her name is Layla. It means dark night and black beauty.
Camping season is just around the corner again. It pains me to have to leave her at home, but I know she'd make a beeline at the campground for all of her old hangouts, maybe back to that rotten baby daddy.
Anyone ever take a cat camping? I probably won't use it, but what kind of contraption can you use to keep a cat tethered? Tried the harness, but she escapes just like she's getting out of a t-shirt!
Camped with a cat for years but she stayed inside. She loved all of our RVs and only went outside a couple of times although she was inside/outside at home. I assume part of that vet bill was a spay? She is MUCH less likely to want to roam if she is spayed. However, if you are only gone a few days at a time, she will be okay at home, too. If she is an outside cat, tho, she may go looking for company.
DEFINITELY spayed...and declawed and every known shot, treatment and test. The royal treatment. It just takes more $$ to turn a stray into a housecat I guess, and worth every penny.
The DH already vetoed the idea of taking her camping, but she's always trying to escape at home and I thought if I could find a method to keep her leashed, she'd probably enjoy being outside once in a while.
We did, but they never left the rig, unless they were in a carrier.
As for outside, some friends spent some real money and have an screen enclosed room. Good heavy screen, nailed tight with a clear fiberglass roof and their own little cat-door. The cats get outdoor time, without actually getting loose.
2008 F350SD V10 with an 2012 Arctic Fox 29-5E When someone tells you to buy the same rig they own, listen, they might be right. When they tell you to buy a different rig then they own, really pay attention, they probably know something you don't.
We take our three cats camping and snow-birding with us all the time.
Quote: I probably won't use it, but what kind of contraption can you use to keep a cat tethered? Tried the harness, but she escapes just like she's getting out of a t-shirt!
NEVER NEVER tether a cat outside unless there's a fence to protect her from kids and dogs and other predators. There are commercial outdoor cages made to hang on trailer windows or you can make your own. It's the safest way to let them enjoy the fresh air safely.
Hey, that's a pretty cool idea. Might have to research that idea.
What I meant by tethering is some sort of leash, collar or harness that works on cats. I would never let her out of my sight. She's an escape artist. LOL!
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