NY Times photo
At Safe Haven, we are opposed to letting cats outdoors. There are many powerful reasons, some of which we discuss here.
If you want your cat to enjoy the great outdoors without facing the dangers of predators, consider buying or making an outdoor enclosure.
Outdoor enclosures
Outdoor enclosures can be either homemade or commercially constructed, so they come in all shapes and sizes. For durability, use chain link, chicken wire or wire mesh hardware cloth, secured around a simple wood frame.All three choices are preferable to ordinary window screening.
Cats love to climb, so a roof is essential. Make yours of the same material as the sides. The most popular cat enclosures include places for them to climb and rest. Be sure there’s shasde from the hot sun, and of course a bowl filed with fresh water, especially in warm weather.
A word of caution
Whether you select an outdoor enclosure, or add cat-proof netting to the top of traditional chain-link fencing, remember that they are best used only when you are at home. Preferably, be outdoors with your cats or able to check on them often.
This is especially true when enclosures are new. Cats will try to escape and might get their necks tangled up in loose screening.
Then there’s the danger of pet theft. It happens. Sometimes it’s a pesky neighborhood kid, an animal hater, even an organized group rounding up animals to sell to research facilities.
If all precautions fails, be sure your outdoor cat has an ID tag, tattoo or microchip to ensure a happy homecoming.
Click here for a slide show of amazing outdoor cat enclosures via the New York Times.
The kitties thank you!
