How to safely clean a feral cat relocation/quarantine crate

If you need to contain a feral cat temporarily, for quarantine or relocation, you need to be sure you don't get hurt when cleaning and feeding. Note: I used a pipe cleaner to secure the edge of the carrier door to the kennel wire. It is much safer to just tie the rope to the kennel where the carrier blocks your hand from potential swipes of a paw. If you use a pipe cleaner, make a big loop so you don't put your fingers as close to the kitty as I did here.
This is an extra large dog kennel, with two doors, with a carrier and a litter box inside. The carrier door needs to open so the edge of the carrier door hits the kennel wires when open. Be sure you work that out before the kitty is in there. I have a carabiner clip with a small rope attached to the edge of the carrier door, with the rope looped through two kennel wires and tied on the end so it won't slip through. I am using a broom handle to nudge the carrier door closed, with the kitty inside. Feral kitties usually go into the carrier when you approach. If they don't, standing up above them usually does the trick, or rattling around and making a little noise will also usually work. Or you can just wait until they are already in the carrier!
I poke a broom handle through the kennel wires, right in front of the carrier door, nudging the carrier door closed. Then I run the broom handle through the opposite side of the kennel, locking her inside. Be sure there is no space behind the carrier for the carrier to move backward. Then you can open the kennel door on the end of the kennel. I close the latch on the carrier using a blanket for safety. Then I clean and change the food and water.
Once I am done, I use the blanket to open the latch on the carrier and close the kennel door again. Then I pull the broom handle out and use the rope to pull the carrier door open again. If you are able, just tie the rope along the side of the kennel where the carrier protects your hand.
Please use a great deal of caution with feral cats and with stray cats who have not had an up-to-date rabies vaccine in their systems for at least 28 days. Also, feral cats are not to be crated for extended periods of time. Sometimes it is necessary because they need vet care, or they have to be relocated and confined while they adjust to their new location for 2-3 weeks before coming out. Typically vaccines that require boosters can be boostered in 3 weeks. This kitty is now actually quite tame and was contained while waiting vet care. Most of them tolerate it okay as long as they are in a calm and quiet environment without much interaction. I have had at least one who wouldn't tolerate being confined for second boosters and I let him back out. He is also fine and living inside a cat fence. Cat fences are great for fencing in yards for kitties who prefer to go outside. We have a Purrfect Fence: www.purrfectfe...