|
|
|
How our cats can be outside safely by Karen Childs In trying to find a way to let our two indoor cats enjoy being outside, we hunted for ways for them to be safe while enjoying themselves out of doors. We found some great ideas in the Cat Fancy magazine, issue April 2001 article "Please Fence Me In". This article started us thinking of ways to build our own catio.
There are hundreds of creative ways to build play areas for kitty safety. We have found that the space can be elaborate and huge, or small and inexpensive. Some enclosure's can be bought from dealers on the internet already designed, and you'll find a few of these in the link section at to bottom of the page. The cats are going to love their new space no matter what. Where we live there are bears, coyotes, raccoons, feral cats, large birds of prey, outdoor cats, disease and traffic. Because of these dangers we needed to build a strong and safe catio. The Catio is a work in progess as we find that we need more perches and maybe a large tree trunk and large rocks for interest, maybe some hanging plants too. During the months ahead we would like to design a "sky cat-walk" which would wind around the yard. Our cats, Blue & Bessie, can now enjoy bird watching and be in the fresh air and a safe place. We are content in knowing nothing is going to harm them. They can watch the family of raccoons pass by with no fear of attack. The girls are lovin' the experience of bringing us presents like frogs & salamanders that get into the Catio. We use the famous "Lily Insect Relocator" shown on the right, to relocate unwelcome guests back outdoors. Click on its photo for more information.  Click here or on the photo on the left to explore Bob & Lily's Catio and retreat for both cats and their humans. Click here for an example of adding a catio to an existing atrium. Assorted Links Safe Outdoor Fun in a Cat Enclosure! Marvelous site.
A google search for "cat enclosures" and outdoors
A few homemade Catios: A few commercial links, plans and/or pre-built |
6/30/12
In our search for enclosure ideas we found cat owners with great enclosures already built, such as this one built by an Audubon Society couple. This multistoried, eight-sided gazebo is enclosed with heavy vinyl coated, galvanized poultry netting. It has 18 wooden perches for cat comfort. Notice the 8 foot long bridge-tunnel at upper right near the roof. This leads into the basement window of the Boone & Gillespie home. They have included a free standing bird feeder and a goldfish pond near by which makes for wonderful cat entertainment. Great Idea!