Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Kitty-cat playland

For the past six years, the cats have had an outdoor cage from Habitat Haven. They like spending time in it, but we've been wanting to move it closer to the house, expand it, and add an exit from the basement window so the cats can go in and out at will, instead of being carried by their human slaves.

So we got all the components and Gordon put it together yesterday!


The walkway from the house to the cages is high enough for the lawnmower to pass under!


A tower with shelves comes up from the basement window to the walkway. Emily figured the whole thing out in two minutes...



She likes to stare at me when I look out my office window!



I moved the birdfeeders away from where they were, but I'm thinking they are still too close to the cages for bird safety. I have visions of birds landing on the cages and being dragged in by cat paws!



We still have to put the shelves up in the second cage.


Julius loves it out there. The "skyway" is very popular with everybody!


And the cedar is great for claw-sharpening.


Our cats aren't spoiled. Our cats aren't spoiled at all!

More reasons I keep my kitties caged.

41 comments:

  1. Oh boy!!!!! This is the best thing ever since sliced meat bits in gravy!

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    1. WHy thank you but I think I have a ways to go before I reach the amazing-a-tude of the Katnip Lounge!

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  2. OMG - my cats are SO jealous... can we just all move in with you... you wouldn't mind three more cats and two humans right? I have experience mucking out chicken coops...

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    1. Excellent, we love coop-muckers!

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  3. No they are not spoiled at all *smile*. What a nice cat garden. You have to take a look at my little Dracula.

    Hugs
    Elna

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    1. Your little Dracula is too, too adorable!

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  4. that thing is pawsome!!! I would move the bird feeders waaaay over to the other side of the house :)

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    1. I'm thinking you're right about that!

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  5. Oh my gosh, I am so envious! I've always wanted to do this for my cats.

    Kristin

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    1. I can't get EMily out of there! She'll probably be less enthused in winter. :)

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  6. Going to take a look at that! I've a horible feeling that one of our cats would be able to use a screwdriver to dismantle it though!
    Jane x

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    1. It wasn't cheap but it's very well made. The first cage we've had for six years and it's weathered amazingly well.

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  7. This is it. This is what I tell my clients to do for their cats when they are determined to be indoor/outdoor. I'm going to show this to a few people. We will have to do the same for ours in the country. Sierra will never be turned into an indoor-only cat without a major breakdown. You can have so much fun with this. I can't wait to see it decorated for Christmas ;-) Have fun kitties. You lucky dogs, you.

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    1. Oooh, Christmas decorations! What a great idea. :) It's a hoot having this outside my office window. I like looking out and seeing what they're up to. They all seem to love lounging in the "sky tunnel."

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  8. I know it sounds odd.. but why cant you just let the cats outside?

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    1. So they don't die. ;) I think indoor cats are not a UK thing but are more common here. We have cat predators around here (fishers, coyotes, and raccoons can also be a problem,) lots of cats around here end up as roadkill. Personally I don't like them killing songbirds. And in winter, my former indoor/outdoor cat Julius was never interested in going out anyway!

      My piano teacher's cat died after taking a snooze inside a warm car engine in winter. The owner turned on the engine and it was not pretty.

      I can't deal with the worry!

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  9. II dont understand why indoor cats are indoors all of the time.... can you explain?

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  10. Pretty ritzy place for cats. that's much better for cats than sleeping in the house all day.

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    1. They do climb around it a lot!

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    1. I'm thinking of moving in myself... ;)

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  12. That is awesome.

    I am lucky, my cat Poppy has a catdoor and can head outside anytime she likes. Here in NZ, we don't have any critters to chase or eat her, and I was just thinking that actually more dogs are inside pets than cats. Pops does spend most of her time at the moment indoors sleeping,as it is winter here. In the summer though she spends most of her time outside with me.

    Julie and Poppy Q

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    1. I think the worst thing around here are the fishers, and I know we have them on our land because I've seen them!

      http://www.borealforest.org/zoo/fisher.htm

      They are one of the few animals that can kill and eat a porcupine!

      I worry about coyotes too. Lots of things come up behind our barn and try to get the chickens.

      Sounds like Poppy has a lovely life! THanks for the follow, too. :)

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  13. Now that looks like kitty heaven!

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    1. They especially like that a chipmunk has a drop-hole right in front of one of the cage doors!

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  14. That's looks like the best kitty playground ever! You guys are the best!
    I love this idea that they can go out and in as they please, not to mention a very cool cat run!
    I tell you. I want to come back in my next life as one of your cats! ...or dog...or chicken....

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  15. Habitrail! Very cool!

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    1. I always wanted a Habitrail for my hamster. NOw I've got one for the cats!

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  16. Super. Now what is only left, to teach Gordon - or you - how to use the cage.:-)

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    1. If Gordon is naughty, I'll be sending him right out there.

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  17. What an ingenious setup! If must give them plenty of exercise too.

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    1. If the get off their duffs and jump up and down all the shelves, it does. Emily's a crazy woman out there!!

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  18. What you have done for your kitties is way beyond anything I've seen before. I have to Google fishers as I don't have idea what they are. I admire you for your ability to care for so many animals with so many different needs.

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    1. It's a bit much but the cats are having a ball, I must say! :) And we have no kids to spend money on, so what the heck! I've loved animals since I was a tiny thing, so it makes me happy having them around. :)

      Of course, I suppose I can start lavishing money on my new godson! ;)

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  19. Amazing!!! the best cat condo i have ever seen all other cats will be very jealous for sure.

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  20. Natalie - you and Gordon are such great cat-parents!!!
    This is the best thing since sliced bread!!!
    (and I really like sliced bread)
    I love the pics taken with your new macro too (uber jealous over here!!)
    Hugs to you both!

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  21. What a fabulous vacation resort!

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Thank you for all your comments, which I love to read!