| In amongst all the articles for furnishing your outdoor | | | | fencing stapled to the underside, creating a tubular |
| living areas, this one concentrates on a different type | | | | wire shape. Some areas are covered with dirt, where |
| of living space - outdoor cat enclosures. | | | | others have rubber matting on the bottom. Initially, |
| More and more cat owners have experienced the | | | | the path wound through a small area of the yard, but |
| problems associated with letting their pet run free | | | | due to its incredible popularity, has since been |
| outdoors. The average life span for an outdoor cat is | | | | expanded to include five cat doors leading from the |
| 5 years vs. 15 years for an indoor cat. They are | | | | house to various runs throughout the property. This |
| susceptible to so many more risks than their indoor | | | | type of design is very affordable, can easily be |
| counterpart, such as aggressive dogs or other | | | | integrated into the landscape, hidden amongst the |
| predators, fighting with other cats, cars, exposure to | | | | hedges, and is simple to dismantle if you ever move. |
| diseased animals or poisons, the list goes on. A single | | | | If you're not feeling handy, there are numerous |
| run in with any of these hazards will probably result in | | | | companies out there who do nothing but make cat |
| a hefty vet bill, in fact for many pet owners, a | | | | runs in all shape, sizes, and customized for your pet's |
| monthly bill for cat insurance has become a sign of | | | | needs. Another option is to collect some photos off |
| the times. | | | | the web as samples, and hire a handyman to |
| In an effort to protect our pets, it's becoming more | | | | complete the job. Most runs begin with a cat door |
| and more common to see constructed cat enclosures | | | | leading to a tunnel created out of mesh, or chicken |
| that allow kitty to scamper outdoors, and enjoy the | | | | wire. The path meanders throughout the yard, |
| fresh air in a controlled safe environment. The | | | | sometimes stepping up to balconies or upper |
| challenge is constructing this cat corral in a way that | | | | windows. Other enclosures are constructed as more |
| is pleasing to look at and doesn't create an eyesore | | | | of a pen or a gazebo filled with small trees, shrubs, |
| or lower your property value. It should also be fairly | | | | and even fountains or ponds. |
| simple to remove if you're ever thinking of selling | | | | For apartment dwellers, or those with limited space, |
| your home. | | | | kitty windows are great alternatives. These are |
| A recent article in the Los Angeles Times describes | | | | screened in boxes that protrude from a window, |
| the creative enclosure constructed by Beverly Hills | | | | similar to a bay window, which provides a safe, |
| couple Susan and Dan Gottlieb. They enjoy watching | | | | sunny spot for your cat. For those with balconies, |
| the wildlife and birds outside their hillside home as | | | | netting systems can be purchased that allow your |
| much as they enjoy their four pet cats. However, in | | | | pet freedom to roam, without the danger of falling |
| an effort to protect their cats from predators, and | | | | off the railing. |
| protect the birds from their cats, they devised an | | | | Whatever your situation, there are lot's of ways to |
| enclosed nature path that keeps everyone safe. | | | | give your indoor cat an outdoor lifestyle, without the |
| It began with a few planks of wood with wire | | | | added risk. |