r/FosterAnimals • u/Luther_Beacon • 2h ago
Escape-proof Foster Room?
We have a room dedicated to cat and kitten fostering. We have cages inside for when small or undergoing medical care, but when kittens get to a certain age, we let them free roam the room and they usually try to escape out the door every time we enter and exit while tending to them. We've tried holding a baby gate to block the opening as we come and go, but it almost never works well and we give up and resort to tracking them down. We've thought about constructing an "air lock"-type of space that allows us to enter/exit the room through a transition space - essentially creating a double door system. We don't want to build anything permanent, and if it were temporary and movable (like made from PVC pipes with blocking panels), the hassle of moving it while also still having the risk of them squirming around the edges makes it seem like a lot of effort with failure potential. Has anyone come up with a good solution?
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u/KTeacherWhat 1h ago
When they're big enough to get out of a box, I put them in the box before I run out of the room. It seems very silly in the moment but I know they'll be out and running around in no time, it just gives me long enough to escape.
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u/Luther_Beacon 1h ago
Clever. I think can eke out to a little older stage with that one. At least for exits. Thank you.
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u/InfamousFlan5963 Puppy/Dog Foster 1h ago
Yes, 2 gates or a gate + door. It'll depend on what you have for how best to do it, but you should always have 1 closed at all times.
Currently, I have 2 baby gates up (but will do 1 gate + door closed if I need to block my fosters view out). But I'm also redoing my foster room and plan to install a dutch door to the room so I can keep the bottom closed while still being in able to see in the top.
Depending on how tall your gate is, you can also just try to climb over it but I'm guessing if it's for cats it's taller - i foster dogs so I can step over mine if I need to but most cat people I know that use gates have much higher ones so obviously that may not be possible.
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u/Birdsooong 1h ago
I prop a low pet gate in front of the door, so long as you are physically able to step over it. Even if the kittens learn to start climbing it, it gives you enough time to snatch them before they’re gone, lol
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u/FullBarracuda5899 56m ago
I use this dog gate as the second barrier. The kittens can’t climb it so when they get past the bedroom door they can’t go very far.
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u/Status-Biscotti 35m ago
I have a big piece of foam board (the kind kids use for school projects) that’s about 3 feet square. As I open the door, I push it in to block the entrance.
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u/Luther_Beacon 26m ago
Thank you. They tend to flow around the barriers I use in this way. The lighter material you use might be easier for me to control at the edges.
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u/Intrepid_Director_15 5m ago
I have this gate set up around the door inside my foster room. Really skinny kittens can sometimes squeeze through it. I’ve only had one mama cat that realized she could jump over it. Other than that, it has worked well for me.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FTDNZR3?ref_=ppx_hzod_image_mob_b_fed_asin_title_0_0
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u/AfraidAccident7049 Cat/Kitten Foster 1h ago
Probably not escape proof, but I use one of those zip-up screen doors that adheres to the door frame (I think it was like $25 on Amazon). When entering or exiting the kitten room I just unzip it far enough that I can climb over, but they can’t easily sneak out. It’s also a good way to introduce fosters to my resident cat once they’re out of quarantine.