enclosure

**critters** · 05-15-2008, 12:26 PM

I'm intrigued by the outdoor enclosure Laura's Babies posted in http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...=142335&page=3 . Does anybody know what the flooring is? That's the main thing I've been concerned about as I consider making one someday. I even bought PVC lumber quite a few years ago to use as the frame.

**Laura's Babies** · 05-15-2008, 04:16 PM

I would imagine it is treated plywood? I think someone here posted it a long time ago.... maybe they will show up and realize it is theirs..?

**Moesha** · 05-15-2008, 04:29 PM

I believe it is Catlady711 that has that enclosure. Here's the link to the thread that shows that one. She listed a website with additional pictures. Heres a link to that. Here's another thread where other cat enclosures were shown and discussed.

**catmandu** · 05-15-2008, 04:43 PM

AT THE VERY LEAST I AM GOING TO EXPAND THE PORCH ENCLOSURE TO FIT THE WHOLE BACK PORCH AND MAKE IT 6 FEET TALL, SO THEY HAVE MORE ROOM TO RUN AND PLAY IN THE SUN.
I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO ENCLOSE THE WHOLE BACK YARD, THAT WOULD REALLY MAKE THE FOUND CAT HOTEL A TRUE PARADISE.

**Freedom** · 05-15-2008, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by critters

Does anybody know what the flooring is?

Marine grade carpet, if you follow the links kindly provided by Moesha!

**critters** · 05-16-2008, 06:35 AM

THANKS Moesha!!!! I really, really like that enclosure; too bad I can't do anything about my neighbors.

That's the main reason I haven't done anything yet.

**Catlady711** · 05-17-2008, 04:33 PM

Thanks Moesha, I hadn't seen this thread until now.

Freedom is correct, that was marine grade carpeting over treated plywood on our enclosure.

Note however.... We have since removed the carpet and keep it in the garage until the cats are going to be in the enclosure. We found that marine grade carpet does not dry out very quickly after a rainstorm and will quickly rot the wood floor, or it grows algae if we have an extended rainy/humid weather pattern.

A bit of velcro or that no skid stuff for under chair cushions works good for keeping the carpet in place since it's no longer attatched.

BTW, sisal will rot if it's not able to get sunlight or plenty of air circulation. We had to replace the sisal we originally had, and have since moved the enclosure more out into the yard for air circulation and more sunlight.

As far as neighbors go, if it's a problem with nearby fenced dogs (as ours are) and a privacy fence isn't an option (in our case we have one), you could always put some lattice work on one side of the enclosure so the cats cat see the dogs as well, or plant a tree to block the view, or even totally wall off one side of the enclosure, but make sure it still gets sunlight and air circulation.

**Emeraldgreen** · 05-17-2008, 04:58 PM

You could build a similar enclosure but you could make it floorless so they could enjoy the grass under their feet. I think that is the thing my cats like most about being in their enclosure is rolling around on the grass and eating it too.

We transport our cats in pet carriers out to their enclosure because it's not attached to the house.

**Catlady711** · 05-17-2008, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Emeraldgreen

We transport our cats in pet carriers out to their enclosure because it's not attached to the house.

Same here.

**Emeraldgreen** · 05-17-2008, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Catlady711

Same here.

LOL

It sure is a pain in the butt isn't it?? With 9 cats that don't all get along, it gets a little ridiculous shuttling them out in groups of 3 and then rotating the groups so everybody gets some sunshine throughout the day. I have one neighbour that can see us and this crazy routine of ours and she must wonder what the heck we're doing, cages carried out, cages carried in, in out, in out, all day long. LOL
In the morning when I'm rounding up 'group 1' I say "okay, the shuttle busses are leaving for the garden, who's coming?" They immediately race inside the carriers, I don't have to them ask twice! On the odd occasion that I bring out a carrier to go to the vet with one of them, you should see their faces when we start driving down the street. It's as if they're saying "wait, this is the wrong bus! I wanted to go to the garden!! Not the vet!!" LOL
Anyway, all the trips back and forth to their run is totally worth it because once they're out there, they have the best time and enjoy it so much.

**Laura's Babies** · 05-17-2008, 06:22 PM

On the odd occasion that I bring out a carrier to go to the vet with one of them, you should see their faces when we start driving down the street. It's as if they're saying "wait, this is the wrong bus! I wanted to go to the garden!! Not the vet!!" LOL

Pictureing that in my mind... Now THAT look has to be priceless!!