- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #21
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Moving House, Taking The Colony With Me.
- Thread starter Norachan
- Start Date
Wow, wow, wow! I can't think of anything else to say. Jcat said it best - it is paradise. I especially love the pot for water
I had to laugh about Mia. We have a cat with her own room too!
I had to laugh about Mia. We have a cat with her own room too!
Lucky, lucky kitties! It's beautiful.
You have the luckiest cats ever!! They are going to have the best place to live and enjoy the outside world.
That is a beautiful place. I hope the nylon fencing holds up. The cats should be very happy there.
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Wow, what an amazing job you've done for them!! The house and surroundings strike me as being your own private paradise, the kitties will feel like they are in cat heaven.
Makes me want out of the city life!!
Makes me want out of the city life!!
Wonderful what you are doing - some of the most fortunate cats are under your care!
I guess I'm just concerned about the bottom of the fence - maybe I skimmed instead of reading thoroughly enough, I'll go back and re-read later - but what concerns me is a cat digging his/her way out from under that flexible fencing.
I hope I'm just dead wrong here. I've seen my cats do things I'd never think they were capable of doing, so ... .
You mentioned the trees - YIKES! now that's another concern. Did you say you were confining the cats in a smaller area until you could do more cat-proofing the boarder fence?
If one does get out somehow, I'd worry about them being able to get back in to safety - ha!, but then I'm a big worrier thinking always about "what if".
On another note: I haven't read everything yet (in a rush, have cats to feed) - but the ideas here are great tidbits of things I can do for My ferals - like the Pit, and especially like the idea for fly deterrent - Basil. YEA!
I'm a desert dweller so the basil should grow without a problem, and the potty pit is welcomed news of what I can do. I put out a litter pan but the cats prefer the sand and rocks to hide their waste - which attracts the flies - so I'm giving the Pit some thought of how I can do it here. By the way, we have large rocks in our yard - we have desert landscaping, and the larger rocks don't stop the cats from using them to cover their stuff.
Gotta go, gotta run I have complaining cats ... ugh!
I guess I'm just concerned about the bottom of the fence - maybe I skimmed instead of reading thoroughly enough, I'll go back and re-read later - but what concerns me is a cat digging his/her way out from under that flexible fencing.
I hope I'm just dead wrong here. I've seen my cats do things I'd never think they were capable of doing, so ... .
You mentioned the trees - YIKES! now that's another concern. Did you say you were confining the cats in a smaller area until you could do more cat-proofing the boarder fence?
If one does get out somehow, I'd worry about them being able to get back in to safety - ha!, but then I'm a big worrier thinking always about "what if".
On another note: I haven't read everything yet (in a rush, have cats to feed) - but the ideas here are great tidbits of things I can do for My ferals - like the Pit, and especially like the idea for fly deterrent - Basil. YEA!
I'm a desert dweller so the basil should grow without a problem, and the potty pit is welcomed news of what I can do. I put out a litter pan but the cats prefer the sand and rocks to hide their waste - which attracts the flies - so I'm giving the Pit some thought of how I can do it here. By the way, we have large rocks in our yard - we have desert landscaping, and the larger rocks don't stop the cats from using them to cover their stuff.
Gotta go, gotta run I have complaining cats ... ugh!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #29
Yep, better not keep those kitties waiting.
Wonderful what you are doing - some of the most fortunate cats are under your care!
I guess I'm just concerned about the bottom of the fence - maybe I skimmed instead of reading thoroughly enough, I'll go back and re-read later - but what concerns me is a cat digging his/her way out from under that flexible fencing.
Yes, that's something I was worried about too. We've now pegged the fencing down all the way around and used loads of logs to weigh it down too. I don't think they'll be able to dig their way out. It was a great way to use up some of that timber we had lying around after we'd trimmed all the low branches off the trees.
I hope I'm just dead wrong here. I've seen my cats do things I'd never think they were capable of doing, so ... .
You mentioned the trees - YIKES! now that's another concern. Did you say you were confining the cats in a smaller area until you could do more cat-proofing the boarder fence?
They'll all be kept in the house for at least a week. I've got some sheets of thick, bendable plastic that I'm going to nail to the trees nearest the fence. I saw another cat enclosure where someone had nailed sheets of tin to the trees. The cats can't get their claws into it so they can't climb up. Couldn't find any tin but the plastic is too tough for them to get their claws into . It's what farmers use for making greenhouse tunnels with, so it should be pretty durable.
If one does get out somehow, I'd worry about them being able to get back in to safety - ha!, but then I'm a big worrier thinking always about "what if".
My plan is to let just Spike, my Ninja kitty, out first and watch what she does. If anyone can make it over the fence it will be her and if anyone is smart enough to find her way back in, Spike will be the one. If she can't get out I'll start letting the others out, just one at a time at first so I can keep an eye on them
On another note: I haven't read everything yet (in a rush, have cats to feed) - but the ideas here are great tidbits of things I can do for My ferals - like the Pit, and especially like the idea for fly deterrent - Basil. YEA!
I'm a desert dweller so the basil should grow without a problem, and the potty pit is welcomed news of what I can do. I put out a litter pan but the cats prefer the sand and rocks to hide their waste - which attracts the flies - so I'm giving the Pit some thought of how I can do it here. By the way, we have large rocks in our yard - we have desert landscaping, and the larger rocks don't stop the cats from using them to cover their stuff.
We're up in the mountains in the monsoon belt, we probably get very different weather to you. Lots of soft, volcanic soil to bury their poop in but I guess I'm going to be on poop patrol until we establish a potty pit. I've already planted some mint and some basil, it usually grows well. I've planted lots of cat grass too and I'm looking for some sturdy vines to grow over the fence to pretty it up a bit. Something strong enough to survive the winter but to thin for cats to climb. Have to ask the locals about that.
Gotta go, gotta run I have complaining cats ... ugh!
Well, you are sure working every angle, and it looks like you've about got everything covered!
I guess Spike will stick around even if she does manage to find a weak link in your fence and get out, but you'll probably be keeping an eye on her to see if she shows you where you might need to do some more work before that might happen.
I'm looking forward to reading of your progress - and can only imagine how delighted your cats will be as they explore their new surroundings.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to the concerns I wrote about, and thanks for sharing your adventure with us!
I guess Spike will stick around even if she does manage to find a weak link in your fence and get out, but you'll probably be keeping an eye on her to see if she shows you where you might need to do some more work before that might happen.
I'm looking forward to reading of your progress - and can only imagine how delighted your cats will be as they explore their new surroundings.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to the concerns I wrote about, and thanks for sharing your adventure with us!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #31
Cat proofing the trees.
We used some thick plastic which should be too slippery for the cats to climb up and too thick for them to get their claws in. The sheets were bent around the tree and screwed into place.
We hope that it wont damage the trees too much, we didn't want to cut any trees down if possible.
This tree was too tricky to put plastic around, so we built an extra bit of fence around it. Looking at this picture makes me think I should put some put some plastic on the tree next to it, just in case they get any clever ideas about climbing that one and jumping over the net.
Then I laced the nets together so there is no way they could squeeze through and get over the fence.
6 cats have been moved up there so far. While I was outside last night I heard the screen door being clawed at and suddenly Sophie appeared on the deck. I knew there was no point chasing her so I spent an hour slowly following her around saying. "No Sophie, please don't be able to climb up that. No Sophie, please don't be able to squeeze under there."
Eventually it got too dark to see what she was doing so I went back to sit on the deck and pray to the Cat Goddess for two hours, until Sophie eventually decided she'd had enough fun and came back in. So, it seems to be too much for little short limbed bob tail cats to get over. I think I'm going to wait awhile before I let any of our long and lanky cats outside though.
Sophie. So much naughtier than she looks.
We used some thick plastic which should be too slippery for the cats to climb up and too thick for them to get their claws in. The sheets were bent around the tree and screwed into place.
We hope that it wont damage the trees too much, we didn't want to cut any trees down if possible.
This tree was too tricky to put plastic around, so we built an extra bit of fence around it. Looking at this picture makes me think I should put some put some plastic on the tree next to it, just in case they get any clever ideas about climbing that one and jumping over the net.
Then I laced the nets together so there is no way they could squeeze through and get over the fence.
6 cats have been moved up there so far. While I was outside last night I heard the screen door being clawed at and suddenly Sophie appeared on the deck. I knew there was no point chasing her so I spent an hour slowly following her around saying. "No Sophie, please don't be able to climb up that. No Sophie, please don't be able to squeeze under there."
Eventually it got too dark to see what she was doing so I went back to sit on the deck and pray to the Cat Goddess for two hours, until Sophie eventually decided she'd had enough fun and came back in. So, it seems to be too much for little short limbed bob tail cats to get over. I think I'm going to wait awhile before I let any of our long and lanky cats outside though.
Sophie. So much naughtier than she looks.
Great idea! That really should prevent them from climbing.
Sophie is gorgeous!
I really love this project. It is neat to learn how creative you are! I have a feeling that even if the cats learn to get up, over or around the fence, they probably won't want to. Who would? It's paradise!
I really love this project. It is neat to learn how creative you are! I have a feeling that even if the cats learn to get up, over or around the fence, they probably won't want to. Who would? It's paradise!
This is the most amazing space ever. Your cats will be living in paradise!! Hopefully you will rest easier knowing they are safe. It will be like your own private cat sanctuary.
THOSE CATS!!
Just when you think you've thought of everything one of them proves you wrong! UGH!
I hope you don't have too many heart attacks while you and everyone is adjusting.
I have Angels that don't look like they could cause problems, too - ha!
Tree: Maybe the same sort of fence topping that you used on the fence would be of some benefit? (the feature that bends down so they can't get over the fence - you could wrap it around the tree and wouldn't really need plastic (?))
I guess you've already spotted the fact that those wooden fence posts are ideal climbing tools.
Just when you think you've thought of everything one of them proves you wrong! UGH!
I hope you don't have too many heart attacks while you and everyone is adjusting.
I have Angels that don't look like they could cause problems, too - ha!
Tree: Maybe the same sort of fence topping that you used on the fence would be of some benefit? (the feature that bends down so they can't get over the fence - you could wrap it around the tree and wouldn't really need plastic (?))
I guess you've already spotted the fact that those wooden fence posts are ideal climbing tools.
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I wish we could do something like this. HOA says we all have to look alike. You are doing an amazing job!
Wow- you are so dedicated. You are a wonderful caring person. May the universe bless you for your kindness and selflessness. Good luck with your fences and potties and trees. You show us that there are still good people in this world of ours!!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #39
Thank you everyone for your kind comments.
I now have 8 cats moved into the new house and 6 of them got their outdoor privileges today. It went really well. They haven't even been trying to climb the fence, I guess that net angled in at 45 degrees really does work. Also the net is quite soft and gives when they push it, so that puts them off trying to climb. A few of them seemed to be looking for places to squeeze under but the net is pegged down all the way around, then buried and then covered with branches so it's way too heavy for them to move.
They spent about an hour looking for a way out, then gave up and started chasing each other around or sunbathing.
Yeah, it worked!!!!!
I want to encourage them to climb the trees that aren't anywhere near the fence, I think it will be fun for them. I was thinking of making a few little platforms to help them up. Maybe even a tree house......
I now have 8 cats moved into the new house and 6 of them got their outdoor privileges today. It went really well. They haven't even been trying to climb the fence, I guess that net angled in at 45 degrees really does work. Also the net is quite soft and gives when they push it, so that puts them off trying to climb. A few of them seemed to be looking for places to squeeze under but the net is pegged down all the way around, then buried and then covered with branches so it's way too heavy for them to move.
They spent about an hour looking for a way out, then gave up and started chasing each other around or sunbathing.
I want to encourage them to climb the trees that aren't anywhere near the fence, I think it will be fun for them. I was thinking of making a few little platforms to help them up. Maybe even a tree house......
WOW!! What a truly beautiful space you have provided for your cat's. All of your hard work has certainly paid off. What a lovely place to live. Your own piece of paradise! Sophie looks such a sweetheart too.
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