Automatic Litterbox Central

First, I would like to thank the creator(s) of this site. I have been reading and reading the information for the last 2 weeks and have learned a lot.
I just register to post my questions. Pls allow me give you some background info so you know why I am asking for help.
My brother and I want to have a cat for a long time. But Dad does not like animal and thinks we should not spend a dime on "those things". That was fine until the "alien" came and took over me (i.e. I become a teenager). After many arguments/outbursts, finally mom step in and asked dad: "when did we start teaching our kids not to do something because it is expensive or it is too much work?" Good one, right? that is how I got my cat. Somehow, my cat brought a different side of me out. Even dad noticed that. Mom told him cats chased the "alien" out. So, that is how we got away with getting another cat for my brother when Dad was out of town! We LOVE OUR CATS!!
My brother and I take care the cats- grooming, food/water and clean their litter boxes (we have 2 boxes because dad insisted on locking them up when we are not home, so, we set up a second box in the guest room). We pay for litter, food, scratching pole etc.etc. Mom will pay for vet bills. So, we operate in a low budget ($30/month allowance + additional work beyond chores for extra money.) Luckily, my brother won a few essay contests and I will have a summer job.
Before you think I am lazy and got myself a automatic litter box, let me explain. I won at regional and will be leaving for a week to comepte at the international fair (It is unlikely I will win, but it will be a good experience). I asked mom to come with me. It will not be fair for my brother to do all litter box duty, especially during school days (he is very responsible but he is only 12). We are determined not to ask dad to help (he is very grumpy with any cat-related activities or expenses). So, my brother paid 1/6 and I paid 1/3 while mom supplement the other 1/2 (because she wants to go with me in peace). In June, I will be gone for 10 days for the other side of my brain (I am a violinsit) and mom is coming with me too. Then in July, I will be gone to present my project in a different place. So, I got to make the SF works well enough until Aug, at that time, we may put the box away or sell it or...(we can't afford the cartridge!)
I have SF for a week, this is what I did so far. Set up on Sat, scooped out the poop and added crystal on Monday and Thursday. To line the box without spending more money, I took my desk protector (pls don't tell Dad) and cut to fit including the sides, execpt the part behind the rake. I just did a major clean up today and dumped 1/3 crystal out and replace with new one. So far, it is working but I don't know how long the desk protector will last.
My questions are :
1) will shelf-lining sheet work to protect the box? I checked out the price, I can get a roll for about $5 in Target.
2) we brought a box of "self-adhesive laminating sheet" to protect the sofa when the cats were scratching and still have some left, do you think that will work to line the cartridge?
3) do you think I can cut the cost by just scoop out some crystal and add some new one every few days (i.e. without completely replace all crystal, which is so expensive compare to the clumping litter)

Anything else you can suggest. I got to make the SF / cardboard cartridge last- with as little money spent as possible until Aug
Thanks
p.s.I don't know how to get the coroplast-I can't drive yet and don't have a way to order from internet.

As far as the liner goes, I think that anything thin enough and water proof should work for a while as long as it does not get caught in the rake. I cut up an old air mattress and used that in my SF cardboard cartridge. And you could buy some Tidy Cat crystals... Those crystals are small enough to work with the Scoop Free. The litter should last about a week to ten days with two cats. My cartridge lasted for 20 plus days and is still around from my trial experience with the ScoopFree.


Good luck!

zomgosh Bookworm, you're so cute! I can't even handle it, lol-- /hug-- good luck with your kitties, and good job taking care of both sides of that brain! =)

Oh my gosh can you talk to my kids about the responibilities of kitty love????? I do not have a Scoop Free because of the cost of cartridges and refills, and the fact that I have three very poopy kitties Someone here, and for the life of me the name escapes me, has made and sells permanent trays for the Scoop Free. Also my female, Lily, absolutely hates the crystal litter, so I'm glad that I chose the Litter Robot over the Scoop Free.

Just a side note, all while growing up, my dad absolutely hated the idea of a cat, inside or out, however I had a beautiful male long haired tabby, who would sometimes NOT get let out at night and would proceed to crap on my dad's side of the bed, and he was very upset when the Prince decided that it was time to move on. Then later in life, we adopted or rather he adopted my brother, male cat. My brother moved out, my parents divorced and my dad built the cat a very elaborate cat house. Just last week, old age (14) was too much for the very strong Booger, and my dad wept like a baby when he was put down. So your dad may be hiding his very inner cat liker. LOL you notice, I said LIKE and not LOVE, but there's just something about a cat that brings out a little bit of humanity in just about anyone....

GOODLUCK

Thanks everybody! I don't think there is any hope dad will like the cats. Actually, it really does not matter. We are keeping the cats--i.e. we are not going to let him have a reason to get rid of them.
On the brighter note, SF works well the week I was gone. I replaced 1/3 of crystal litter the morning I left and my brother only needed to clean the box twice. I learned from one of the users-- it is scoop- less, not free. So, now we take turn clean it every day, take out 1 scoop of litter and replace with 1 scoop of clean one. So far so good and we are not spending much more than before. I probably need to replace all litter before I leave next month so my brother only needs to do it every other day or so.

I have another question--what is the LONGEST time you ever leave your cat(s) at home by themselves? We may be taking a family vacation and I don't know what to do. I saw one posting described being away for a week. Can it be longer?

BTW--I got 3rd place @ International Fair and...the cats ignored us for 1 week when we got back!

WTG on your 3rd place, that is AWESOME!!!!!!! When we had ONE cat(years ago) we left her home alone for a week, just had someone check on her, feed, etc.... But now with 3, it's a totally different story. We went away for 2 1/2 days last October and they were fine. We did have a neighbor come check on them, but I think they would've been okay without that, since they hide when anyone but us is here. Goodluck!

I'll also add my two cents offer here...........

I still have one of my original prototypes left. It works perfectly well, just slightly used (but clean!). It's not "pretty", but would also be an option for you if you want it.

I'd be more than happy to donate it to your cause and ship it to you.

r.

Boy I was just ready to buy you one too but it looks like it's already been taken care of!

I am so proud of you for your 3rd place win and for going after what you really want in life....whether that's having feline companionship or winning a contest. Your Dad may come around yet, you sound like you have a wonderful head on your shoulders and just went through some growing pains before your darling kitty came around and helped sort them out.

God bless you and keep your chin up, and keep on taking care of your fur-baby!

Thanks. Everybody is really nice here--I guess the "real world" may not be as scary after all. BTW, this is a wonderful forum for me-- not just the advices and support, but also having a place I can mention how much I am willing to do for my cats . I think none of you will say I am being silly to hang a X'mas stocking for the cats, right?

LOL my parents even get our cats and dog presents for Christmas now and they sign the from: part with their cat's names. A few years ago we got some devil and angel resin cat and dog figures for the tree and I painted them so they looked like our furry kids

Dawn

Bookworm wrote:Thanks. Everybody is really nice here--I guess the "real world" may not be as scary after all. BTW, this is a wonderful forum for me-- not just the advices and support, but also having a place I can mention how much I am willing to do for my cats . I think none of you will say I am being silly to hang a X'mas stocking for the cats, right?

Lol! You fit right in. I think everyone here is a little cattified. I'm not going to even tell yo what I do for my cats!

Our furbabies get Christmas Stockings too. LOL and I end up buying something for everyone from them too so they can be a part of the holiday even more. Their names get put on our cards we send out too. Well at least to my side of the family, dh's side doesn't get the whole "pet" thing.

Haha, I already bought our puppies their Christmas dresses. I'm working on making the kitties their jingle collars already too! Holidays are so much fun!