Around these parts, people refer to me as “The Crazy Cat Lady of Linn County.” I suppose should you wish to step into my shoes for 24 hours (watch out for the hairballs though) you might agree. After all, what would possess anyone to open up their heart and home to upwards of thirty stray cats at a time?
Before you pick up the phone and call 1-800-EnoughWithTheCatsAlready let me assure you that you will never see me on an episode of Extreme Hoarders. My visitors’ biggest challenges when they stop by isn’t circumnavigating huge piles of rubbish in the house, but rather being careful not to step on a paw or tail of the welcoming committee at the door.
The majority of my indoor clowder is deemed “unadoptable” by the masses. Unadoptable referring to their color (they are all black kitties). I don’t buy into the myth that black cats are bad luck. I consider it my good fortune to have them share my life.
People ask me how I do it. How do I manage to live with so many felines? How do I manage my time, and the most popular question- “How many litter pans do I have anyway?”
It might surprise you to know that as far as regular litter pans go- I have none. I find them unacceptable for anything larger than a kitten, and because kittens don’t stay kitten-sized all their lives, I rarely buy an average litter pan.
Instead, I haunt the local thrift stores and bring back big plastic containers, thrashed coolers, even baby bathtubs. You can get them all at a decent price and if you make friends with the people who run the thrift shop, you might even get a few for just a donation!
A few years ago my readers on my website www.felinexpress.com challenged me to test out cat litters. I put each brand through my test kitties paces. Few litters measured up, being just average. But again, I don’t buy the cat litter available in the grocery stores or pet supply warehouses. They are to expensive and Phew! Scented! My kitties turn up their nose at most scented brands.
I use Stall Dry- It neutralizes the ammonia smell fairly quickly. I can get a 40 lb. bag for under $13.00. I use 5 bags a month. It has diatomaceous earth mixed in with it which also helps to cut down on the fleas in the cat enclosure.It is non-toxic and non-caustic and other than being heavy to lug up the stairs- I have encountered no problems with it.
It is certified organic so it won’t harm land fills.
So in answer to the question about how many litter pans do I have? That would be zero, but I do have 35 other litter containers ranging from kiddy pools, to Rubbermaid containers and old beat up coolers.
I know what you mean about litter boxes. I have given up on them too. I hit the thrift stores looking for mainly the big Rubbermaid tubs. I like your idea about the baby bath tubs and will add that to my list. I may have to check out that litter too. Where can you get it?? Thanks for all you do for all the kitties! All this talk of litter reminds me I gotta go do poop duty. Take care.
You can get it at feed stores and some PetSmarts that carry horse supplies will carry it.
I’m down to 13 now, but when people ask me how many cats I have I like to ask them, “I dont know, do you count the potato chips in a bag?”
LOL! I am down to 28- 3 weeks ago, I had 39- YIkes!! That’s the highest I have ever been. I love your response though-may I use it sometime?
Off to the vet I go and I hope this is solvable for Mr. Donovan-
Thanks for the Dry Stall info. I did try looking for it at a Farm and Fleet last year but they didn’t carry it. I’ll have to do a search online to see who might carry it in my state. I didn’t know it was organic with D.E. Pretty cool!
I have tried a few litters and I found feline Pine to be the best… although pricey, it works great and it’s natural… I did try World’s best cat litter and both my DH and I were unimpressed with it. Also Mary Anne, I wanted to thank you. Because of you, I took in my friendly feral. I figured if you can do it with 30 cats, one more in my household shouldn’t be a problem. After a vet check up, she adapted immediately and is getting along great with my other cats. 🙂 One more cat off the streets!
You made me smile on a very sad day- so thank you for that. Also thank you for caring about the cats without owners.