Boomer doesn't seem to mind that we're on the 9th floor...

[Sirrahsim]

Oh dear me, my little Boomer is getting smarter everyday. So far he hadn't figured out anything dangerous, but today he figured out how to open the sliding glass door to get out onto our balcony!! Luckily there is also a screen door between him and the great outdoors, but heaven knows it's only a matter of time before he figures that out too! There is a lock on that door, but as soon as the heat is turned on in our building we're gonna need to have that door open to keep from burning up in our own home:rolleyes: We only have one window that we can leave open now because it has a metal grate immediately outside and the screen is bolted in. Oh why must my little furball be so smart?


I know cats like to be up high, but come on now, we're *9* stories up.

[stacwase]

Hmmmmmmm. Sounds like a dilemma! Is there a lock on the sliding screen door? I know cats are supposed to have super balance, but Miss Kate fell out of our 2nd floor window on Halloween night. Thankfully she landed on a part of the roof only a few feet below.

[CatDad]

I am so sorry to hear about your delima. I am so proud of my smart kitty:), now how do I keep him in.:eek:

I don't know if this is possible, but may want to consider getting a couple of eye-hook latches (not sure of the exact name) and use them on the door. They are the ones that have a little eye that anchors to one side and a little hook that anchors to the other. if you use 2 or 3 of them and he should give up after the first couple that he figures out. I use these on all of our closets because our little Joey knows how to open the doors.

Good luck to your on solving the problems.;)

[sqwelch]

One of the scariest moments in my life and I shudder when I think about it is when Bonnie managed to sneak out a window (god knows how) in my boyfriends flat but unfortunately he was 18 floors up. At that time Bonnie was totally feral and there was no way she was coming back into the house, we had to wait patiently for 4 hours until it was dark before she snuck back in. It was the most terrifying moment of my life, I could of lost my sweetheart especially when the darn birds tried swooping at her.

We now live in a ground floor flat but she still likes her heights and loves looking down on you :)

[Barbara]

A relative of Tigris (I think an uncle) fell from the 4th floor and died of his injuries. Xeline (the Aby of my friend) jumped from the 2nd floor with no problems.
We have protected our balcony with a cat proof net and so I feel safer. I hope you can develop and idea how to lock the screen.:(

[catmandu]

The late Pouncer and scrappy also liked to go out on the balcony. But the neighbors wer good with htem , especiallythe Lady next door. Although she was a little peeved , when having a dinner party , they stood aganst the sliding doo and stared in.the people saw them , and asked if she was going to le her guests in. she tooka plate of scraps and put it on my side , then left a note in my mail slot.I apologised , and she admiited later that it was funny.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Barbara had a great idea and put fencing around the balcony so the cats can go outside but can't get off the balcony. Maybe she can show some pics of that. I don't know if that's an option for you since I would think the building would have to approve....but it might be worth a try. That way if that smarty pants Boomer ever does get out, at least you know he'll be safe. :) ;) :)

[sirrahbed]

Sirrahsim,
Over at the CatPlace forum, I saw some pictures of a mesh type fabric that someone had used on their balcony from ceiling to rail. It appeared to be the type of fabric like you might find on a tent - lets the light and air in, but sturdy enough to keep the cat IN. Then Boomer could actually lounge on the balcony!! Does anyone here know what I mean and maybe have the pictures or directions?? I think it was a lady in Sweden or Holland?? :confused:

[Barbara]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid73/p9d8fd6e9111712b2588e8544018e6ec0/fb7050e1.jpg

This is our net in the background. It is quite stable. As we are both technically challenged we had it made by a professional when we first got the cats. Around here you can ask in the specialised cat shops they know people. It was not too cheap (ca. 200 US$) but we have it now 7 years and it will work at least some more seven.

It's fixed at the roof over the balcony.

However here it depends whether your owner community allows it. Your landlord can forbid it.

Looks a little like a football goal but Tigris cannot suffer the destiny of his uncle.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I can still feel in my knees the scariest moment with Edwina. There was a very large opening on the bottom of the wall....furnace related. My husband had taken the grill covering off to clean it. We turned around and there was Edwina peering down into the hole! We were afraid to yell at her that she would fall and yet fearful of her taking any more steps. My knees were so weak! Finally we got her away from there and put her behind colsed doors until the project was finished!

[RICHARD]

Sirra,

When I got home last night I noticed the computer mouse was moved around and I was this on the screen.

joiuoihj hagoiLAKADLKAP WHERILA HHIDEOE
POUIOW JJA PEWS,NDGHG SJLDAPUYJ 787odouty0
l;kakjopupoe iio akdsei w[ortjtjg

since edward has no opposing thumbs I will translate....

Boomer,
To open the sliding door, hook your nails around the frame and pull, But be real careful-you are way too high off the ground to be playing around.

Eddie


Barbara!!!!

thank you for the great idea!!!

[Sirrahsim]

lol! You've done it now Eddie, I hope Boomer didn't see that! As for putting up netting, yes I would have to get approval, and the chances of them allowing me to do so would be slim to none. You see, in order to get it put up I'd have to tell them why, and then I'd have to admit that it was for my cat ( who I'm not exactly allowed to have) There is pigeon netting that the base is going to put in eventually that covers from the floor to ceiling of our balcony, however we were told it would be put in within a few weeks of my arriving here and that was this past Spring :rolleyes: So who knows. I may be able to create a makeshift lock on the screen door by jamming something under the edge of it to keep it from opening. Just have to remember to tell my hunny about it or he might bust it next time he goes outside to grill:D Thank you all for all your wonderful suggestions and sharing your stories, I have only had Boomer for a few months but he is so very special to me! I can see our bond getting stronger every day I have him, he rarely ever leaves my side anymore:) He was even waiting patiently on the bath mat just outside the tub when I got out of the shower this morning:D :rolleyes:

[Kirsten]

That's truly a scary situation, would give me sleepless nights also.

It's not ALWAYS a good thing when a kitty is too intelligent, isn't it?

Such a netting (like Barbara has) is a good solution...

Kirsten

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Is there a rail on the floor that the door slides on? If so, you could make a heavy duty stick just long enough to let the door open a little to let some air in for you guys, but not open far enough for Boomer to get out. Get the right length stick to lay in the rail. When the door opens so far it will hit the stick and Boomer won't be able to open it any further - unless he's Super Boomer! ;) :D

If you don't understand what I'm trying to say, ask because I think this could be the solution to your problem. It's kind of like what hotels use for security for sliding doors.....unfortunately I don't have a picture....