Pixie Kitten said: "Can we have a bigger cat run please?"
Please build us a bigger cat run! |
At the moment we have a cat flap, cut into the side of the conservatory, which leads out into the cat tunnel. The tunnel takes our cats down the side of the garden and opens out into their existing 6' x 6' cat run which is joined onto the garden shed.
The plan is to cover the whole of the patio and garden, between the conservatory and the existing cat run, with a big pergola/cage enclosure. This area is about 6.5m x 5m and we wanted the whole enclosure to be about 7' high so that we could also walk freely within it.
We couldn't find a ready made pergola just the right size (thank goodness... they are quite expensive!) so we were faced with building one to fit the area exactly.
Cat Jewellery by Silver Animal Jewellery |
So, anyone in the Wetherby/Harrogate area wanting a good landscape gardener: MJH Landscapes, Matthew Humby 07725 310692 - you won't be disappointed.
The Supporting Posts
We wanted to put a roof on the cat run, covering the patio, so the posts around the patio were 4" x 4" so that they could take the weight of the roof plus, perhaps, a load of snow in the winter!
The main supporting posts for the cat run |
Cat run supporting posts |
The Cat Enclosure Woodwork
It took the whole day to concrete these upright posts in, and then on the second day the wooden rails were attached, which would add strength to the structure and to which the wire mesh would be attached.
The main wooden structure of the cat run |
The roof supports over the patio |
Side view of the new cat run |
Securing the Cat Run
Once the main wooden structure was built (thank you Matt Humby!) we then just had to add the roof, the wire mesh, make and fit three doors and then prowl around like a cat looking for, and blocking up, any ways to escape!There was obviously going to be lots of wire mesh. As with our previous cat run, we used 2" square wire mesh which is far more substantial than chicken wire and you can pull it really tight and straight; without it bending or going out of shape. However, we also wanted to create some shelter from the wind and rain so, along the back of the cat run (at the right of the following photo), instead of wire we attached a bamboo screen which lets light through but does block much of the rain (the wind always seems to blow from right to left!) and adds a bit more privacy.
Secure Outdoor Cat Run |
Bamboo Screen at the back of the Cat Run |
The Doors in and out of the Cat Run
The whole idea of this new cat run is that our girls can be let out of the conservatory door into their secure enclosure but when we are not around, they can still get out of the cat flap, along the cat tunnel, into their old run and then through a cat sized hole - into the new run. Obviously, our conservatory door opens INTO the cat run, so we needed a way to get out of the enclosure into the rest of the garden! We made doors as a 2" square wooden frame and then covered that frame with the wire mesh, pulling the wire mesh really tight with a claw hammer and securing it with 3/4" staples. The tension in the wire really adds strength to the doors which fasten with bolts inside, and a hook and eye on the outside - gotta keep the girls safe! One door opens onto the path and the other opens onto the rest of the garden. We have a third door which opens down the far side of the conservatory (for the window cleaner!). To add further wind/rain protection to that cosy, sheltered, end of the patio, we made the third door from a strengthened checkerboard fence panel. ALL the wire mesh was attached using 3/4" staples.The Roof on the Cat Run
Over the patio, we wanted to create a sheltered "human" area with a roof and sheltered side. We would have loved to have had polycarbonate roofing sheets (like a conservatory roof) but they are hugely expensive so we just used white PVC corrugated roofing sheets - a bit "car-portish" but hey, cheap, and it keeps the rain off!We didn't think it was mecessary to cover the whole of the open part of the cat run with the wire mesh and, instead, opted to just enclose the top with a narrow strip of mesh all around the edges. However, our girls love climbing up the mesh walls and, whilst they would have to be contortionists to somehow manage to jump/climb upwards and backwards to get out, we ended up covering the whole of the open "roof" area with a very fine fruit tree mesh. This is almost invisible and a cat could easily tear through it but it just makes us feel better!
The top of the Secure Cat Run |
Cosy Corner of the Patio
We, as well as our girls, LIVE in the new cat run - well, we do sometimes go inside the house! We wanted to make a really cosy and sheltered area at the end of the patio so we used a fence panel at the back (continuing on from the bamboo screen) and then a small half sized fence panel at the side - just to add that extra protection from the elements. You can also see that checkerboard fence panel door.
Cosy Patio Corner - for Humans! |
The Finished Cat Run
Wire and screen attached, doors hung, roof on, all gaps and holes secured with wire mesh and/or bits of checkerboard fence panel and... well, ok, it's not really finished yet but our girls are out there playing in safety - in and out as they please! We have yet to paint the wire mesh black, as we did on our first cat run, this makes the wire far less noticible. We are also going to build a series of high-level walkways, shelves and other interesting places for cats to explore and play in. Oh... we HAVE created a cat scratching post by wrapping some thick rope around one of the main posts - they love that and often run from the far end of the enclosure and throw themselves up onto the rope covered post - brilliant fun!
The nearly finished cat run |
Inside the Cat Run
Patio in the Cat Run | Inside the Cat Run |
Cats in the Cat Run
Night time shot showing Tigerlily climbing the bamboo screen! |
Pixie Kitten exploring the Acer | Pixie Kitten in the Cat Run |
Night-time flash shot showing Tigerlily in the new run and Pixie Kitten in the old run, behind |
Other Kit-Bits!
The beautiful colours in Pixie and Tigerlily's coat were the inspiration for the new range of CharmBreeds Cat Jewellery - bracelets and necklaces representing your cat's breed and/or its unique coat colour. The range includes: Siamese, Bengal, British Blue, Tabby, Black and White and, obviously, the Tortoiseshell TabbyOur girls' antics were also the inspiration for some of the designs of other cat jewellery from Silver Animal Jewellery - great Christmas gifts for cat lovers!
This is much more than we need, but it looks great. We only need our girls locked up when we go away for two days and our house is tented for termites. You have given me some ideas. Thanks for so many nice pictures.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the ideas looks great.Gill
ReplyDeletethis is great! I want to do something very similar. could you give a ballpark figure of what all this cost?
ReplyDeleteSorry, missed this comment until now. Do you know, it was such a long time ago, I can't remember what it cost. I did most of it myself so it wasn't that much :-)
DeleteCongratulations on fulfilling your cats' "wildest imaginings". Whether they KNOW it or not, they are SO fortunate to have you as "their humans".
ReplyDeleteNot a large percentage of us are likely as committed as you folks are, but I have to commend you for going to the wall, so to speak, for your pusses!
Thanks for all the ideas incorporated in your cat heaven!
UncleScotty - thank you for your kind comments. It keeps them safe and gives them their own little world to enjoy. We have actually improved it all further... hope to update the blog soon...
ReplyDelete:-)
This is brilliant! Not only do I now not feel like the only human crazy enough about my cats to do something like this (my non-cat-owning friends don't get it!) but you've given practical steps on how to accomplish it. I'll need to find a good handiman here in Wales to help but thanks so much for this. Tigerlily and Pixie Kitten are gorgeous by the way. :)
ReplyDelete