| Would your pet cat or dog like being outside some | | | | require roofing. |
| of the time? Would you prefer they were safely | | | | FURNISHINGS |
| enclosed while enjoying the fresh air, plant life, and | | | | All kinds of natural and other furnishings of your pet's |
| scents of nature? You can easily create a protected | | | | private yard will enhance their enjoyment. Including a |
| outdoor haven for your pets, while insuring your own | | | | section of lawn is good, or adding pots of grasses |
| peace of mind. This article will tell you how to plan | | | | and nibbling greens. Flowerbeds and plants provide |
| and build a private protected pet yard from start to | | | | necessary bathroom spaces. Other ideas are pet |
| finish. Sections include choosing location, size, roof | | | | beds, outdoor chairs or survey perches. Toys are fun |
| cover, furnishings, supplies, and construction of the | | | | for pets outside as well as inside, and there will be a |
| enclosure. | | | | steady stream of crawling bugs and flying insects |
| LOCATION | | | | provided by nature to observe. |
| Begin by choosing the best spot for your pet's | | | | SUPPLIES |
| private bit of nature. Consider an existing patio or | | | | You will need the following supplies to build your pet |
| corner of your traditional yard. In our own case, my | | | | enclosure: |
| husband and I built our cats' yard over a partially | | | | Vertical wood supports - 4x4s work will |
| covered patio located next to the back of the house. | | | | Vinyl or wood lattice panels - 4'x8's work well |
| The end result provided protection on rainy days as | | | | Small trim board - 1x2 works well |
| well as a lattice-roofed section open to the sky. You | | | | Wood support boards for roof - 2x__ rafters |
| might also consider adding a pet door leading to your | | | | Cap board - 2x4 |
| home. Pets really like the freedom of going "outside" | | | | Pre-made gate or one constructed from the same |
| whenever in the mood. Our cats enjoy middle of the | | | | materials as the enclosure |
| night watches for roaming wildlife such as raccoons | | | | CONSTRUCTION |
| and possums - all from the safety of their own | | | | Follow these steps to build your protected pet yard: |
| protected yard! | | | | 1. Put up vertical supports, determining spacing |
| SIZE | | | | distance by width of lattice panels |
| Determine how large of an area is practical for you | | | | 2. Place lattice trim boards between 4x4 supports |
| to enclose. Take your pets' size and needs into | | | | 3. Put up lattice panels against trim boards, and |
| consideration. While your cats or dogs won't be able | | | | sandwich in with additional trim boards |
| to romp as freely as those on the loose, they will | | | | 4. Continue building process until enclosure is complete |
| enjoy having enough space to prowl around their | | | | 5. Add gate |
| own little yard. In our case, an enclosure of 14' x 16' | | | | 6. Run a cap across top of 4x4s |
| provided enough room for many hours of cat | | | | 7. Attach 2x__ rafters 24" apart to cap board and |
| snooping enjoyment plus space for batting twigs, | | | | to house or other side if free standing |
| hunting insects and other fun. | | | | 8. Attach lattice or other roofing material to top of |
| ROOF COVER | | | | enclosure |
| If your enclosure will be for cats, you will definitely | | | | Once construction is complete, introduce your pet |
| want to cover it with a lattice roof. This will keep | | | | cats or dogs to their new private yard. They will |
| your pets inside their private yard where you want | | | | soon be enjoying their own outdoor turf, and you |
| them, and other wandering animals out. An enclosure | | | | the protection that it provides. |
| built for small dogs, on the other hand, might not | | | | |