@juillet64 The base is 6' x 4', and it is 6' tall. I have a photo album of building process photos that youtube for some reason will not let me post here. I'll send you the link in a message. I think the beginning is actually around page 4 of photos. We placed concrete blocks under the base to keep it off the ground and to get everything level (our yard is not level, so we dug out a little under the blocks until we got it level).
I love your enclosure and responsibility you take for your pets and their safety. My 6 cats are rescued and I will not let them roam and get hit. I see cats inthe road all the time. I love mine too much for that to be their fate. We are building an enclosure, too, that they will access from a basement window. It is made of panels that you can put together.
I think that if your cat is near any animals that are possible to killing your cat then all you can do is use a lead for your cat and this will mean it can roam around and also it can do what cats do. I also say that if you know cats that have been hit by cars then that is something that can be dealt with also, for example my cat Jasper is very clever he can open dors, solve simple problems like finding treats and is also road aware. So you can train your cat to be aware of cars like mine Jasper
@JustMatt96 I have to respectfully disagree with you. Cats that haven't been hit by cars yet are just lucky. We had a cat when I was a kid who we thought was soooo smart. We never, ever saw him go anywhere near the road. But when it snowed one day, we could see his footprints from overnight all over the road back and forth. He got hit by a car and killed when he was 4.
@JustMatt96 Also, in reply to the comment you deleted saying the enclosure was too small, you have to remember that this is not where they *live*. It's just a supplement to give them outdoor enrichment. Sebastian, the one you commented about being upset was only upset because it was something new. He adapted very quickly and thoroughly enjoys it now.
@apedosmi1 My cats don't have FIV or FeLV but you are right. Letting them roam outside would put them at risk of contracting one of those diseases and potentially spread it more. :) I wish more people took these problems seriously... there are MANY FIV positive feral cats in our city. And several times a year clients at the vet where I work find out their own cat has contracted it. There are not as many FeLV cases, but it's still a risk.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Cats are not like rabbits, it is cruel to lock them up like this, even if it is not 24 / 7. Cats are inteligent animals and deseve to have the freedom to roam. I have 4 cats and they are free to come and go as they please.
@MalumZeth My bad for not mentioning in the text that the enclosure was not finished and the bit about adding a connection from the window with a cat door. That being said, I firmly believe that it is cruel to allow cats to "roam as they please" as they are at a great risk to be hit by a car, injured or killed by a wild animal or end up facing some other harm. There's a reason cats live to be as old as they do these days, and it is greatly influenced by how they are cared for.
In the UK if you wish to rescue a cat it is a requirement that you have a garden / outside area where the cat can roam free. That being said an inspector is sent round to ensure the area is safe.
I agree with you that cats should not be allowed out near busy roads, however my street is off the main road so there is basicly no risk to the cat.
Thirdly cats are inteligent and will avoid dogs, luckilly however the people in my area are responsible dog owners.
Cats can also be littertrained to go outside but not in peoples garden, simply aloocate a small patch of mud for the cats use then gradually, day by day move the litter tray to that area, then sprinkle cat litter on the area and remove the litter tray.
In the UK there are no predators that will attack a cat, and they are all vaccinated against illnesses. my previous cats lived to be 17 and 24. My current cats are 4, 15 and 18. All are very healthy.
@MalumZeth Also whilst what you say about cat rescue centres in the UK requiring people adopting a cat to allow it access to a garden / outdoors is true in general, they do often have cats for adoption which are required to be kept indoors because they are infected with FIV. I adopted an FIV positive cat myself. These cats can not be allowed to roam free because of the risk of spreading infection. Would you rather these cats were just put down?
@MalumZeth PS- Having had rabbits in the past, I find your suggestion that it's OK to keep them in cages rather offensive. Rabbits are happiest as free-range house pets and are easily litter trained-- just like cats.
We had one house rabbit, who lived in our conservatory and was allowed to go in our fenced off garden during the day. And 2 'Outside rabbits' who also went in the garden during the day and a sheltered enclosure at night.
Luckilly the cats were not interested in them, and when we were out the house we returned them indoors.
@MalumZeth I'm also British and I really get tired of self righteous muppets like you accusing others of animal cruelty. Listen we live in Britain so we're lucky not to have many predators who will attack cats, this lady lives in the US, there is a much greater risk of attack. She lives in Seattle. There are coyotes in that area. Plenty of people keep their cats in doors all the time, at least this lady is doing what she can to allow her cats to enjoys the outdoors without danger.
@MalumZeth So they deserve to be hit by cars, killed by dogs or get diseases from other animals? Oh yeah I'm sure they love that part of being "free". Not to mention I doubt your neighbors enjoy cat poop in their yard.
@MalumZeth My neighbours have a cat that roams free and not only has it almost got under my car several times when I have been reversing into my garage but it uses my lawn as a litter tray >_< thus making it unsafe for me to let my guinea pigs out in their run on my own lawn :| I'd prefer it if they were responsible for their cat at all times like vdozier here! Well done I say for this ingenious idea!
@MalumZeth I totally agree with you here, this is animal cruelty and has just created an extremely bitter taste for American's. A cat IS an intelligent animal. They learn their owners, like a dog, but are able to find their own way around their local area. Cat's are not like rabbits or guinea pigs who want to run away and don't even know where their own home is and do not deserve to be locked up.
TAKE THEM OUT THE CAGE NOW OR I'M PHONING THE R.S.P.C.A
@MalumZeth We actually have a law where I live that cats aren't allowed to roam free outside, so this is perfect for my 4 oustide loving cats. Also, I don't want them getting killed by a car or another animal, so I would do this even if they were legally allowed to, and before you say that cats are intelligent and wouldn't get hit by cars or killed by other animals, tell that to my 4 year old self seeing my dead cat on the road, or the 10 year old me seeing my other cat torn to shreds.
You guys are so sweet to make this gorgeous enclosure ...... I know that was Summer 2009. Did you do the window tunnel? Any updates on how they love it?
Thanks so much!!! Fellow kitty luver of currently 4 fur babies. ;-)
Would you post mesurements for this beautiful enclosure?
juillet64 6 months ago
@juillet64 The base is 6' x 4', and it is 6' tall. I have a photo album of building process photos that youtube for some reason will not let me post here. I'll send you the link in a message. I think the beginning is actually around page 4 of photos. We placed concrete blocks under the base to keep it off the ground and to get everything level (our yard is not level, so we dug out a little under the blocks until we got it level).
vdozier 6 months ago
I want one for my cats! Is it easy ? DIY ? .. I'm crafty but .. i don't know if i could pull this off!
juillet64 6 months ago
I love your enclosure and responsibility you take for your pets and their safety. My 6 cats are rescued and I will not let them roam and get hit. I see cats inthe road all the time. I love mine too much for that to be their fate. We are building an enclosure, too, that they will access from a basement window. It is made of panels that you can put together.
petmomful 6 months ago
@petmomful Thank you! I hope you'll share video of your kitties enjoying their enclosure when it's done!
vdozier 6 months ago
I think that if your cat is near any animals that are possible to killing your cat then all you can do is use a lead for your cat and this will mean it can roam around and also it can do what cats do. I also say that if you know cats that have been hit by cars then that is something that can be dealt with also, for example my cat Jasper is very clever he can open dors, solve simple problems like finding treats and is also road aware. So you can train your cat to be aware of cars like mine Jasper
JustMatt96 8 months ago
@JustMatt96 I have to respectfully disagree with you. Cats that haven't been hit by cars yet are just lucky. We had a cat when I was a kid who we thought was soooo smart. We never, ever saw him go anywhere near the road. But when it snowed one day, we could see his footprints from overnight all over the road back and forth. He got hit by a car and killed when he was 4.
vdozier 8 months ago
@JustMatt96 Also, in reply to the comment you deleted saying the enclosure was too small, you have to remember that this is not where they *live*. It's just a supplement to give them outdoor enrichment. Sebastian, the one you commented about being upset was only upset because it was something new. He adapted very quickly and thoroughly enjoys it now.
vdozier 8 months ago
Comment removed
JustMatt96 8 months ago
*The cats can not be allowed to roam free because of the the risk of spreading FIV and a reduced immunity to other infections.
apedosmi1 10 months ago
@apedosmi1 My cats don't have FIV or FeLV but you are right. Letting them roam outside would put them at risk of contracting one of those diseases and potentially spread it more. :) I wish more people took these problems seriously... there are MANY FIV positive feral cats in our city. And several times a year clients at the vet where I work find out their own cat has contracted it. There are not as many FeLV cases, but it's still a risk.
vdozier 10 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Cats are not like rabbits, it is cruel to lock them up like this, even if it is not 24 / 7. Cats are inteligent animals and deseve to have the freedom to roam. I have 4 cats and they are free to come and go as they please.
MalumZeth 10 months ago
@MalumZeth My bad for not mentioning in the text that the enclosure was not finished and the bit about adding a connection from the window with a cat door. That being said, I firmly believe that it is cruel to allow cats to "roam as they please" as they are at a great risk to be hit by a car, injured or killed by a wild animal or end up facing some other harm. There's a reason cats live to be as old as they do these days, and it is greatly influenced by how they are cared for.
vdozier 10 months ago 3
@vdozier
In the UK if you wish to rescue a cat it is a requirement that you have a garden / outside area where the cat can roam free. That being said an inspector is sent round to ensure the area is safe.
I agree with you that cats should not be allowed out near busy roads, however my street is off the main road so there is basicly no risk to the cat.
Thirdly cats are inteligent and will avoid dogs, luckilly however the people in my area are responsible dog owners.
MalumZeth 10 months ago
@MalumZeth
Cats can also be littertrained to go outside but not in peoples garden, simply aloocate a small patch of mud for the cats use then gradually, day by day move the litter tray to that area, then sprinkle cat litter on the area and remove the litter tray.
In the UK there are no predators that will attack a cat, and they are all vaccinated against illnesses. my previous cats lived to be 17 and 24. My current cats are 4, 15 and 18. All are very healthy.
MalumZeth 10 months ago
@MalumZeth Also whilst what you say about cat rescue centres in the UK requiring people adopting a cat to allow it access to a garden / outdoors is true in general, they do often have cats for adoption which are required to be kept indoors because they are infected with FIV. I adopted an FIV positive cat myself. These cats can not be allowed to roam free because of the risk of spreading infection. Would you rather these cats were just put down?
apedosmi1 10 months ago
@MalumZeth PS- Having had rabbits in the past, I find your suggestion that it's OK to keep them in cages rather offensive. Rabbits are happiest as free-range house pets and are easily litter trained-- just like cats.
vdozier 10 months ago 4
@vdozier
We had one house rabbit, who lived in our conservatory and was allowed to go in our fenced off garden during the day. And 2 'Outside rabbits' who also went in the garden during the day and a sheltered enclosure at night.
Luckilly the cats were not interested in them, and when we were out the house we returned them indoors.
MalumZeth 10 months ago
@MalumZeth I'm also British and I really get tired of self righteous muppets like you accusing others of animal cruelty. Listen we live in Britain so we're lucky not to have many predators who will attack cats, this lady lives in the US, there is a much greater risk of attack. She lives in Seattle. There are coyotes in that area. Plenty of people keep their cats in doors all the time, at least this lady is doing what she can to allow her cats to enjoys the outdoors without danger.
apedosmi1 10 months ago
@MalumZeth So they deserve to be hit by cars, killed by dogs or get diseases from other animals? Oh yeah I'm sure they love that part of being "free". Not to mention I doubt your neighbors enjoy cat poop in their yard.
babytulip07 10 months ago 2
@MalumZeth My neighbours have a cat that roams free and not only has it almost got under my car several times when I have been reversing into my garage but it uses my lawn as a litter tray >_< thus making it unsafe for me to let my guinea pigs out in their run on my own lawn :| I'd prefer it if they were responsible for their cat at all times like vdozier here! Well done I say for this ingenious idea!
wle312 10 months ago
@MalumZeth I totally agree with you here, this is animal cruelty and has just created an extremely bitter taste for American's. A cat IS an intelligent animal. They learn their owners, like a dog, but are able to find their own way around their local area. Cat's are not like rabbits or guinea pigs who want to run away and don't even know where their own home is and do not deserve to be locked up.
TAKE THEM OUT THE CAGE NOW OR I'M PHONING THE R.S.P.C.A
They're the most unlucky cats ever :\
lobbo232 10 months ago
Please let them out it upsets me :\
come over to England and learn how to treat a cat please for your cat's sake.
lobbo232 10 months ago
@MalumZeth We actually have a law where I live that cats aren't allowed to roam free outside, so this is perfect for my 4 oustide loving cats. Also, I don't want them getting killed by a car or another animal, so I would do this even if they were legally allowed to, and before you say that cats are intelligent and wouldn't get hit by cars or killed by other animals, tell that to my 4 year old self seeing my dead cat on the road, or the 10 year old me seeing my other cat torn to shreds.
Underclass18 9 months ago
You guys are so sweet to make this gorgeous enclosure ...... I know that was Summer 2009. Did you do the window tunnel? Any updates on how they love it?
Thanks so much!!! Fellow kitty luver of currently 4 fur babies. ;-)
bearfun12 10 months ago
Very nice... cute kitties!
sherri1228 1 year ago
You guys are awesome!!!
Are you going to cover it for rain, and put in toys and hanging ropes??
snailgem 2 years ago
Great job.
Give them a few days they'll be fine =)
FBBMyspace 2 years ago
Sebastian is so pretty!!!
I think I'd recommend making a 2nd door, for the intake, where you dont have to open a big door, there is more of a window door as well.
but i am jealous!!!!
Gracefulshrimp 2 years ago