If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Outdoor enclosures?
Good morning.
I would appreciate any resources that folks here can share regarding outdoor cat enclosures. I am interested in manufactured enclosures, and especially interested in plans or ideas for building one myself. Thanks -Mark |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Outdoor enclosures?
On 5 Sep, 19:21, "Mark G." wrote:
Good morning. I would appreciate any resources that folks here can share regarding outdoor cat enclosures. I am interested in manufactured enclosures, and especially interested in plans or ideas for building one myself. Thanks -Mark Hi Mark, Where abouts are you situated? (ie: USA, UK ,Europe ect?) If in the UK, I can supply you with some links for the UK, but if you are in the USA, perhaps others here would be in a better position to advise you. I have recently started making one for our cats & I got some really good ideas from others who have made their own enclosures both in UK & USA. I will pass on some of the links that gave me some inspiration. If you are able to build some of it yourself, it reduces the cost considerable too. This happens to be my personal favorite as it shows how it was built over time in stages: http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ This is also a fairly comprehensive guide & has loads of different ideas too: http://www.flippyscatpage.com/enclosures.html http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/catrun.htm http://www.purrfectfence.com/outdoor_cat_enclosures.asp http://www.catterydesign.com/links/s...catfencing.php http://groups.msn.com/KittyCaretaker...to&PhotoID=497 http://groups.msn.com/OurCatsOnline/...38075605983479 http://groups.msn.com/OurCatsOnline/...38075434402717 These come from a member of this group, who helped to build a run for her daughters cats. http://members.aol.com/sriddles/room1.jpg http://members.aol.com/sriddles/room2.jpg I hope that these links might be of some help to you. If I know where you live, I could probably help with further information, but this should be enough to give you something to start with. Goof Luck with your project, & please do take your vet's advice because it really is a much better idea than allowing them to roam, as I learned to our detriment. ( our cat was shot @ with a BB gun( Sheelagh"o" |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Outdoor enclosures?
On 5 Sep, 19:55, "Matthew" wrote:
the link I provided has another pages with many links "Mark G." wrote in message ... Good morning. I would appreciate any resources that folks here can share regarding outdoor cat enclosures. I am interested in manufactured enclosures, and especially interested in plans or ideas for building one myself. Thanks -Mark- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Hi Matthew, just checking that you are not in Felix's path or course? Hope all is well, Sheelagh"o" |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Outdoor enclosures?
"Sheelagh o" wrote:
Hi Mark, Where abouts are you situated? (ie: USA, UK ,Europe ect?) I am in the USA (Seattle). Besides our heavy traffic, we also have a growing coyote problem here in Seattle. They are multiplying in several in-city neighborhoods, although there have been no reported sightings in Green Lake where I live. Sadly, the appearance of coyotes in a neighborhood is always announced by a proliferation of "lost cat" flyers. Thank you for the great links! -Mark |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Outdoor enclosures?
"Mark G." wrote in message ... Good morning. I would appreciate any resources that folks here can share regarding outdoor cat enclosures. I am interested in manufactured enclosures, and especially interested in plans or ideas for building one myself. Thanks -Mark I do not have any experience with enclosures, but I started keeping a list of both enclosures and fencing some time ago because several people have asked similar questions. Here is the information I have in my computer file (some of which could be out of date by now). I apologize for all the references to barriers to keep a cat in, which is not what you requested, but you might be able to get some ideas even from those pages. Design for do-it-yourself barrier to mount on top of fence (to keep cats in): http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/backyard.html Outdoor fence enclosure (several views): http://www.just4cats.com/ http://www.just4cats.com/post1.html http://www.just4cats.com/page7.html A guide to inexpensive do-it-yourself fencing: http://www.feralcat.com/fence.html Cat fence-in containment system: http://www.catfencein.com/ http://www.fabcats.org (includes an information sheet that can be downloaded) "Friendly Fence": web site says it is virtually invisible www.friendlyfence.com Pictures from readers of "Cat Fancy" showing enclosures they have built: http://www.animalnetwork.com/cats/enclosure.asp Other ideas for outdoor fencing for cats: http://www.just4cats.com/page7.html http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-worldenclosures.htm http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/backyard.html KittyKlips - addition to existing wood fence to prevent cats from climbing [note: but would not prevent cats on "other" side of fence from getting in]: http://kittyklips.com/details.htm Cat enclosure made of planks and netting: http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-worldenclosures.htm Modular cat enclosures: http://www.catnip.com.au/ Flippy's page: http://www.flippyscatpage.com/enclosures.html Pics from Sherry: http://members.aol.com/sriddles/room1.jpg http://members.aol.com/sriddles/room2.jpg MaryL |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Outdoor enclosures?
On 6 Sep, 00:18, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER
wrote: "Mark G." wrote in message ... Good morning. I would appreciate any resources that folks here can share regarding outdoor cat enclosures. I am interested in manufactured enclosures, and especially interested in plans or ideas for building one myself. Thanks -Mark I do not have any experience with enclosures, but I started keeping a list of both enclosures and fencing some time ago because several people have asked similar questions. Here is the information I have in my computer file (some of which could be out of date by now). I apologize for all the references to barriers to keep a cat in, which is not what you requested, but you might be able to get some ideas even from those pages. Design for do-it-yourself barrier to mount on top of fence (to keep cats in): http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/backyard.html Outdoor fence enclosure (several views): http://www.just4cats.com/ http://www.just4cats.com/post1.html http://www.just4cats.com/page7.html A guide to inexpensive do-it-yourself fencing: http://www.feralcat.com/fence.html Cat fence-in containment system: http://www.catfencein.com/ http://www.fabcats.org (includes an information sheet that can be downloaded) "Friendly Fence": web site says it is virtually invisible www.friendlyfence.com Pictures from readers of "Cat Fancy" showing enclosures they have built: http://www.animalnetwork.com/cats/enclosure.asp Other ideas for outdoor fencing for cats: http://www.just4cats.com/page7.html http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-worldenclosures.htm http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/backyard.html KittyKlips - addition to existing wood fence to prevent cats from climbing [note: but would not prevent cats on "other" side of fence from getting in]: http://kittyklips.com/details.htm Cat enclosure made of planks and netting: http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-worldenclosures.htm Modular cat enclosures: http://www.catnip.com.au/ Flippy's page: http://www.flippyscatpage.com/enclosures.html Pics from Sherry: http://members.aol.com/sriddles/room1.jpg http://members.aol.com/sriddles/room2.jpg MaryL Gosh, What wonderful examples Mary. Thank you very much for sharing them with us, I can see that I might be able to adapt a few features into our new pen from these pictures, so I'm ever so grateful. Our current pens were purpose built. Not quite flat packed & ready to self assemble, but as near as you could possibly get to that. Each one was 6' x 9', with roofing & housing for the cats. As you are aware, I used to breed, so I needed several of them to house 3 boys, & also 3 for girls, when the need arose. Now, I only use them for the the boys still, because they prefer being out there in the summer, & the rest are used for our rescues, & waifs & strays that are brought in. They are functional, but that is all that can really be said for them. Occasionally the girls go out there, but as you know I walk them daily basis on reins, so they don't really mind not going out, in favour of the walk instead. Our current project is designed to incorporate most of our Postage stamp. ( Most modern houses in the UK built post 1970, tend to have embarrassingly small gardens!!) We did consider going for cat-proof fencing, but when we went to see an example of it & spoke to the owners of the house, they told us that it didn't actually stop other cats coming in to their gardens, & one of the cats had actually found a way over it. This, combined with the cost of of installing it was enough to make us inhale breath quite sharply. The total cost of doing our garden came to around just over a £1,200 ( around $2,400!!). With this in mind, we started to look around to see what other people's answer to this problem was, & we were incredibly surprised to find that there are some breath taking examples that don't actually cost your life savings & actually look really nice too. A landscaped garden that you can share with your feline family is a bargain when you consider it- especially in the UK, because most people allow their cats free range.... As I have already said, if you are willing to have a go @ building it yourself, that takes away half of the overall cost. The materials are actually not that expensive. The timber is no trouble to find, & the most expensive part we have found so far is the cost of the metal weld mesh. (anything from 19 / 20-16guage is fine) I would hesitate to buy chicken coop wire because it might be fine for the cat, but the threat of the coyotes is not worth skimping on- after all, it is in the cats interest to make them safe, so therefore not worth the risk. It doesn't have to look like a junkyard speacial either! Depending on how far you go, they really can look ever so nice.. We decided that if it is going to take up more than half of our garden, then we needed to be able to share that space with them. With this in mind, we have bought 2 separate garden wooden tool sheds, in which we are erecting two levels. A walk way around the top of the shed, & also steps to reach both levels. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (play house photo) There is a patio-ed stoned area to put the housing on @ each end of the run / garden, with several hidey holes & little places for each cat to retreat to if they wish to. There are also several areas that are covered by corrugated perspex too, so that we can still sit out there with the cats if we want to. Including a love seat & pergola which we have planted a clematis to grow over too. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (but not for long, up she goes photo) http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (Buster behind the pergola) (Look @ the lovely flowers 26th may 2006) I must point out here, that these are example photos that I have found just to give you am idea of how nice you can actually make it look if you wish to with planters & hanging baskets.. We have made a middle walkway/ path straight down the center , made of shingle with grass on both sides, like two separate lawns for both humans & felines alike to stretch out on. (some of us like to much on grass as well as sun ourselves!). In the center of the the run, there will be one huge tree trunk & a couple of large branches for the cats to sharpen their claws on next to the Central trunk, & nearer the patio end, there will be some activity centers for the cats to play on too. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (our 2003 Xmas gift) In fact, the only thing about our cat enclosure that makes it look anything other than a garden really, is the mesh covering the top of it so that we don't loose one of cats that might choose to climb over the side- We have two climbers- both Lilly & Biffy Birmans are right little Houdini's!!! If the mesh wasn't covering the entire project, it would look just like anyone garden really. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (mission accomplished, now she can look down on us all photo) Our last feature isn't a must, but we thought it would be appreciated by the cats- A water feature. Not a fountain, just a simple light flowing water jug that over pours, so that they have access to clean cold water when ever they want it. We also had to get someone in to run electricity out to the sheds so that we can provide heating in the winter for them, & also to the end of the garden where the pouring water jug gurgles. The trunk & branches we got from a tree surgeon (£10), & the rest of the timber was bought from a builders merchant along with the stones, patio slabs, sand to level the slabs & the sheds. The work inside the sheds to split the levels we are doing ourselves- the overall construction of the framework & the mesh is also going to be done by us too. http://www.worldofwater.com/images/bjug.jpg Our very proud super bargain of the whole project has to the the love seat & the pergola, which we got from a salvage reclamation yard. I don't know if you have them in the USA? It is a place where the owners of the yard are called into to do house clearances by local authority housing, or people who have died & their families simply need to get rid of everything in & outside of the property. A bit like a recycling centre. That cost us the grand total of £25- we also managed to pick up some (5) solar little lamps that throw light off in the evenings as well You simply push the spike right into the ground & can move them if you wish to @ any time, for £5 Our final mega bargain was the water feature which we got off eBay for £57 ) http://www.worldofwater.com/images/bjug.jpg The total cost of the project so far has come to £413.48, but that includes labour, electrician to channel the wiring under the ground in a safety cable, water feature & pump, & everything else that I have mentioned. I don't think it will be completed until @ least the end of November, but as there is no pressing hurry, it doesn't matter really. (everything is brand new except for the bits I mentioned already) I am keeping a photographic journal of the project, but right now, it still looks rather like a construction site, Lol...We are trying to get the turf down in the next week or so, so that it will bed in over the winter, & we can enjoy it by spring. I will share it with everyone as soon as we are finished of course.... I hope this helps inspire you a little Sheelagh"o" |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Outdoor enclosures?
On 5 Sep, 21:13, "Matthew" wrote:
a couple thousand miles away but thanks for thinking of us ;-)"Sheelagh o" wrote in message oups.com... On 5 Sep, 19:55, "Matthew" wrote: the link I provided has another pages with many links "Mark G." wrote in message . .. Good morning. I would appreciate any resources that folks here can share regarding outdoor cat enclosures. I am interested in manufactured enclosures, and especially interested in plans or ideas for building one myself. Thanks -Mark- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Hi Matthew, just checking that you are not in Felix's path or course? Hope all is well, Sheelagh"o"- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Whoops, Lol, Sorry Matthew. I guess having gone through one, I can't help but worry for anyone who is in the region of one when you know they are on the way.. blush Sheelagh "o" |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Outdoor enclosures?
"Sheelagh o" wrote in message ups.com... On 6 Sep, 00:18, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote: "Mark G." wrote in message ... Good morning. I would appreciate any resources that folks here can share regarding outdoor cat enclosures. I am interested in manufactured enclosures, and especially interested in plans or ideas for building one myself. Thanks -Mark I do not have any experience with enclosures, but I started keeping a list of both enclosures and fencing some time ago because several people have asked similar questions. Here is the information I have in my computer file (some of which could be out of date by now). I apologize for all the references to barriers to keep a cat in, which is not what you requested, but you might be able to get some ideas even from those pages. Design for do-it-yourself barrier to mount on top of fence (to keep cats in): http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/backyard.html Outdoor fence enclosure (several views): http://www.just4cats.com/ http://www.just4cats.com/post1.html http://www.just4cats.com/page7.html A guide to inexpensive do-it-yourself fencing: http://www.feralcat.com/fence.html Cat fence-in containment system: http://www.catfencein.com/ http://www.fabcats.org (includes an information sheet that can be downloaded) "Friendly Fence": web site says it is virtually invisible www.friendlyfence.com Pictures from readers of "Cat Fancy" showing enclosures they have built: http://www.animalnetwork.com/cats/enclosure.asp Other ideas for outdoor fencing for cats: http://www.just4cats.com/page7.html http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-worldenclosures.htm http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/backyard.html KittyKlips - addition to existing wood fence to prevent cats from climbing [note: but would not prevent cats on "other" side of fence from getting in]: http://kittyklips.com/details.htm Cat enclosure made of planks and netting: http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-worldenclosures.htm Modular cat enclosures: http://www.catnip.com.au/ Flippy's page: http://www.flippyscatpage.com/enclosures.html Pics from Sherry: http://members.aol.com/sriddles/room1.jpg http://members.aol.com/sriddles/room2.jpg MaryL Gosh, What wonderful examples Mary. Thank you very much for sharing them with us, I can see that I might be able to adapt a few features into our new pen from these pictures, so I'm ever so grateful. Our current pens were purpose built. Not quite flat packed & ready to self assemble, but as near as you could possibly get to that. Each one was 6' x 9', with roofing & housing for the cats. As you are aware, I used to breed, so I needed several of them to house 3 boys, & also 3 for girls, when the need arose. Now, I only use them for the the boys still, because they prefer being out there in the summer, & the rest are used for our rescues, & waifs & strays that are brought in. They are functional, but that is all that can really be said for them. Occasionally the girls go out there, but as you know I walk them daily basis on reins, so they don't really mind not going out, in favour of the walk instead. Our current project is designed to incorporate most of our Postage stamp. ( Most modern houses in the UK built post 1970, tend to have embarrassingly small gardens!!) We did consider going for cat-proof fencing, but when we went to see an example of it & spoke to the owners of the house, they told us that it didn't actually stop other cats coming in to their gardens, & one of the cats had actually found a way over it. This, combined with the cost of of installing it was enough to make us inhale breath quite sharply. The total cost of doing our garden came to around just over a £1,200 ( around $2,400!!). With this in mind, we started to look around to see what other people's answer to this problem was, & we were incredibly surprised to find that there are some breath taking examples that don't actually cost your life savings & actually look really nice too. A landscaped garden that you can share with your feline family is a bargain when you consider it- especially in the UK, because most people allow their cats free range.... As I have already said, if you are willing to have a go @ building it yourself, that takes away half of the overall cost. The materials are actually not that expensive. The timber is no trouble to find, & the most expensive part we have found so far is the cost of the metal weld mesh. (anything from 19 / 20-16guage is fine) I would hesitate to buy chicken coop wire because it might be fine for the cat, but the threat of the coyotes is not worth skimping on- after all, it is in the cats interest to make them safe, so therefore not worth the risk. It doesn't have to look like a junkyard speacial either! Depending on how far you go, they really can look ever so nice.. We decided that if it is going to take up more than half of our garden, then we needed to be able to share that space with them. With this in mind, we have bought 2 separate garden wooden tool sheds, in which we are erecting two levels. A walk way around the top of the shed, & also steps to reach both levels. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (play house photo) There is a patio-ed stoned area to put the housing on @ each end of the run / garden, with several hidey holes & little places for each cat to retreat to if they wish to. There are also several areas that are covered by corrugated perspex too, so that we can still sit out there with the cats if we want to. Including a love seat & pergola which we have planted a clematis to grow over too. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (but not for long, up she goes photo) http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (Buster behind the pergola) (Look @ the lovely flowers 26th may 2006) I must point out here, that these are example photos that I have found just to give you am idea of how nice you can actually make it look if you wish to with planters & hanging baskets.. We have made a middle walkway/ path straight down the center , made of shingle with grass on both sides, like two separate lawns for both humans & felines alike to stretch out on. (some of us like to much on grass as well as sun ourselves!). In the center of the the run, there will be one huge tree trunk & a couple of large branches for the cats to sharpen their claws on next to the Central trunk, & nearer the patio end, there will be some activity centers for the cats to play on too. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (our 2003 Xmas gift) In fact, the only thing about our cat enclosure that makes it look anything other than a garden really, is the mesh covering the top of it so that we don't loose one of cats that might choose to climb over the side- We have two climbers- both Lilly & Biffy Birmans are right little Houdini's!!! If the mesh wasn't covering the entire project, it would look just like anyone garden really. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (mission accomplished, now she can look down on us all photo) Our last feature isn't a must, but we thought it would be appreciated by the cats- A water feature. Not a fountain, just a simple light flowing water jug that over pours, so that they have access to clean cold water when ever they want it. We also had to get someone in to run electricity out to the sheds so that we can provide heating in the winter for them, & also to the end of the garden where the pouring water jug gurgles. The trunk & branches we got from a tree surgeon (£10), & the rest of the timber was bought from a builders merchant along with the stones, patio slabs, sand to level the slabs & the sheds. The work inside the sheds to split the levels we are doing ourselves- the overall construction of the framework & the mesh is also going to be done by us too. http://www.worldofwater.com/images/bjug.jpg Our very proud super bargain of the whole project has to the the love seat & the pergola, which we got from a salvage reclamation yard. I don't know if you have them in the USA? It is a place where the owners of the yard are called into to do house clearances by local authority housing, or people who have died & their families simply need to get rid of everything in & outside of the property. A bit like a recycling centre. That cost us the grand total of £25- we also managed to pick up some (5) solar little lamps that throw light off in the evenings as well You simply push the spike right into the ground & can move them if you wish to @ any time, for £5 Our final mega bargain was the water feature which we got off eBay for £57 ) http://www.worldofwater.com/images/bjug.jpg The total cost of the project so far has come to £413.48, but that includes labour, electrician to channel the wiring under the ground in a safety cable, water feature & pump, & everything else that I have mentioned. I don't think it will be completed until @ least the end of November, but as there is no pressing hurry, it doesn't matter really. (everything is brand new except for the bits I mentioned already) I am keeping a photographic journal of the project, but right now, it still looks rather like a construction site, Lol...We are trying to get the turf down in the next week or so, so that it will bed in over the winter, & we can enjoy it by spring. I will share it with everyone as soon as we are finished of course.... I hope this helps inspire you a little Sheelagh"o" Excellent article, Sheelagh. However, most of the links simply took me to the opening page of the same site. Could you include links to the specific locations? MaryL |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Outdoor enclosures?
On Sep 5, 2:21?pm, "Mark G." wrote:
Good morning. I would appreciate any resources that folks here can share regarding outdoor cat enclosures. I am interested in manufactured enclosures, and especially interested in plans or ideas for building one myself. Thanks -Mark Here you go, Mike... This is all you need. http://www.acornpetco.com/ IBen Getiner |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Outdoor enclosures?
On 7 Sep, 05:22, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER
wrote: "Sheelagh o" wrote in message ups.com... On 6 Sep, 00:18, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote: "Mark G." wrote in message .. . Good morning. I would appreciate any resources that folks here can share regarding outdoor cat enclosures. I am interested in manufactured enclosures, and especially interested in plans or ideas for building one myself. Thanks -Mark I do not have any experience with enclosures, but I started keeping a list of both enclosures and fencing some time ago because several people have asked similar questions. Here is the information I have in my computer file (some of which could be out of date by now). I apologize for all the references to barriers to keep a cat in, which is not what you requested, but you might be able to get some ideas even from those pages. Design for do-it-yourself barrier to mount on top of fence (to keep cats in): http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/backyard.html Outdoor fence enclosure (several views): http://www.just4cats.com/ http://www.just4cats.com/post1.html http://www.just4cats.com/page7.html A guide to inexpensive do-it-yourself fencing: http://www.feralcat.com/fence.html Cat fence-in containment system: http://www.catfencein.com/ http://www.fabcats.org (includes an information sheet that can be downloaded) "Friendly Fence": web site says it is virtually invisible www.friendlyfence.com Pictures from readers of "Cat Fancy" showing enclosures they have built: http://www.animalnetwork.com/cats/enclosure.asp Other ideas for outdoor fencing for cats: http://www.just4cats.com/page7.html http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-worldenclosures.htm http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/backyard.html KittyKlips - addition to existing wood fence to prevent cats from climbing [note: but would not prevent cats on "other" side of fence from getting in]: http://kittyklips.com/details.htm Cat enclosure made of planks and netting: http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-worldenclosures.htm Modular cat enclosures: http://www.catnip.com.au/ Flippy's page: http://www.flippyscatpage.com/enclosures.html Pics from Sherry: http://members.aol.com/sriddles/room1.jpg http://members.aol.com/sriddles/room2.jpg MaryL Gosh, What wonderful examples Mary. Thank you very much for sharing them with us, I can see that I might be able to adapt a few features into our new pen from these pictures, so I'm ever so grateful. Our current pens were purpose built. Not quite flat packed & ready to self assemble, but as near as you could possibly get to that. Each one was 6' x 9', with roofing & housing for the cats. As you are aware, I used to breed, so I needed several of them to house 3 boys, & also 3 for girls, when the need arose. Now, I only use them for the the boys still, because they prefer being out there in the summer, & the rest are used for our rescues, & waifs & strays that are brought in. They are functional, but that is all that can really be said for them. Occasionally the girls go out there, but as you know I walk them daily basis on reins, so they don't really mind not going out, in favour of the walk instead. Our current project is designed to incorporate most of our Postage stamp. ( Most modern houses in the UK built post 1970, tend to have embarrassingly small gardens!!) We did consider going for cat-proof fencing, but when we went to see an example of it & spoke to the owners of the house, they told us that it didn't actually stop other cats coming in to their gardens, & one of the cats had actually found a way over it. This, combined with the cost of of installing it was enough to make us inhale breath quite sharply. The total cost of doing our garden came to around just over a £1,200 ( around $2,400!!). With this in mind, we started to look around to see what other people's answer to this problem was, & we were incredibly surprised to find that there are some breath taking examples that don't actually cost your life savings & actually look really nice too. A landscaped garden that you can share with your feline family is a bargain when you consider it- especially in the UK, because most people allow their cats free range.... As I have already said, if you are willing to have a go @ building it yourself, that takes away half of the overall cost. The materials are actually not that expensive. The timber is no trouble to find, & the most expensive part we have found so far is the cost of the metal weld mesh. (anything from 19 / 20-16guage is fine) I would hesitate to buy chicken coop wire because it might be fine for the cat, but the threat of the coyotes is not worth skimping on- after all, it is in the cats interest to make them safe, so therefore not worth the risk. It doesn't have to look like a junkyard speacial either! Depending on how far you go, they really can look ever so nice.. We decided that if it is going to take up more than half of our garden, then we needed to be able to share that space with them. With this in mind, we have bought 2 separate garden wooden tool sheds, in which we are erecting two levels. A walk way around the top of the shed, & also steps to reach both levels. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/(play house photo) There is a patio-ed stoned area to put the housing on @ each end of the run / garden, with several hidey holes & little places for each cat to retreat to if they wish to. There are also several areas that are covered by corrugated perspex too, so that we can still sit out there with the cats if we want to. Including a love seat & pergola which we have planted a clematis to grow over too. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (but not for long, up she goes photo) http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (Buster behind the pergola) (Look @ the lovely flowers 26th may 2006) I must point out here, that these are example photos that I have found just to give you am idea of how nice you can actually make it look if you wish to with planters & hanging baskets.. We have made a middle walkway/ path straight down the center , made of shingle with grass on both sides, like two separate lawns for both humans & felines alike to stretch out on. (some of us like to much on grass as well as sun ourselves!). In the center of the the run, there will be one huge tree trunk & a couple of large branches for the cats to sharpen their claws on next to the Central trunk, & nearer the patio end, there will be some activity centers for the cats to play on too. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (our 2003 Xmas gift) In fact, the only thing about our cat enclosure that makes it look anything other than a garden really, is the mesh covering the top of it so that we don't loose one of cats that might choose to climb over the side- We have two climbers- both Lilly & Biffy Birmans are right little Houdini's!!! If the mesh wasn't covering the entire project, it would look just like anyone garden really. http://www.littlemanraffles.co.uk/ (mission accomplished, now she can look down on us all photo) Our last feature isn't a must, but we thought it would be appreciated by the cats- A water feature. Not a fountain, just a simple light flowing water jug that over pours, so that they have access to clean cold water when ever they want it. We also had to get someone in to run electricity out to the sheds so that we can provide heating in the winter for them, & also to the end of the garden where the pouring water jug gurgles. The trunk & branches we got from a tree surgeon (£10), & the rest of the timber was bought from a builders merchant along with the stones, patio slabs, sand to level the slabs & the sheds. The work inside the sheds to split the levels we are doing ourselves- the overall construction of the framework & the mesh is also going to be done by us too. http://www.worldofwater.com/images/bjug.jpg Our very proud super bargain of the whole project has to the the love seat & the pergola, which we got from a salvage reclamation yard. I don't know if you have them in the USA? It is a place where the owners of the yard are called into to do house clearances by local authority housing, or people who have died & their families simply need to get rid of everything in & outside of the property. A bit like a recycling centre. That cost us the grand total of £25- we also managed to pick up some (5) solar little lamps that throw light off in the evenings as well You simply push the spike right into the ground & can move them if you wish to @ any time, for £5 Our final mega bargain was the water feature which we got off eBay for £57 ) http://www.worldofwater.com/images/bjug.jpg The total cost of the project so far has come to £413.48, but that includes labour, electrician to channel the wiring under the ground in a safety cable, water feature & pump, & everything else that I have mentioned. I don't think it will be completed until @ least the end of November, but as there is no pressing hurry, it doesn't matter really. (everything is brand new except for the bits I mentioned already) I am keeping a photographic journal of the project, but right now, it still looks rather like a construction site, Lol...We are trying to get the turf down in the next week or so, so that it will bed in over the winter, & we can enjoy it by spring. I will share it with everyone as soon as we are finished of course.... I hope this helps inspire you a little Sheelagh"o" Excellent article, Sheelagh. However, most of the links simply took me to the opening page of the same site. Could you include links to the specific locations? MaryL- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Ahh! See what you mean now- Sorry about that. I have found that by pressing the "THE RUN LINK" It will take you directly to the photos I referred to. Each photo is named, & I have quoted the name of each photo individually .... Apologies, I had no idea until you pointed this out to me. Sheelagh "o" |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
How do other People Feel about the subject of cat enclosures. | sheelagh[_2_] | Cat health & behaviour | 33 | August 27th 07 06:19 PM |
how to tell if cat is a stray or outdoor cat? | kitkat via CatKB.com | Cat rescue | 1 | March 1st 07 03:22 PM |
Outdoor Cat Tunnel | Jane | Cat anecdotes | 2 | May 12th 06 10:05 PM |
ping people with cat enclosures | Helen Wheels | Cat anecdotes | 7 | March 2nd 06 02:22 AM |
Cat enclosures | Karen | Cat anecdotes | 21 | March 30th 05 08:37 PM |