Mrs Trellis Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 Having lost 2 cats tragically, when we move to our next house I want to make part of the garden cat escape-proof. We have thought of putting a metal pergola over a French window and covering it with wire - but that wouldn't be very big so some sort of run would be better. Any suggestions for fencing/enclosing that would not look too ugly but allow a bit of freedom while keeping them free from straying or poisoning/drowning/being attacked by foxes or polecats/jumping into someone's car and being carried away? Friends have had 3 cats shot and we had one poisoned but he recovered. OH says I'm paranoid but I can't cope with more sadness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 A very wise decision Mrs. Trellis. [:)]We've had discussions about this on here before, with those for and those against. I am for their safety, especially with all the ads we see "help, my cat has gone missing!".Just Google cat enclosures and there are no end of ideas.Cat enclosures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyh4 Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 +1Having lived on a busy highway in the UK and at a busy junction in Germany, we chose to install enclosures in both locations.Only here in France where we are far from roads do we feel no need, but it is horses for courses and if there are concerns then better to protect the cats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Trellis Posted July 4, 2012 Author Share Posted July 4, 2012 Thanks! It's just either finding fencing that cats can't climb - if that exists - or completely enclosing with wire mesh. There is a 4m square terrace and we'd want to extend into the garden so they can go on grass, hide behind bushes, etc. A bonus is that they won't be able to catch birds and bats.Metal pergolas seem to be very expensive! But would be more attractive than just a cage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyh4 Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 You have to completely enclose. Ours could climb 2,4m up the netting and swipe at the tail of the squirrel that used to sit on the roof and taunt them! Various meshes are available from the Brico sheds or from places like Gamm Vert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 Or have the top of the fence leaning over inwards, or have electric fence along the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Trellis Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 Electric fencing sounds a bit harsh! There is strong green fencing that looks hard to climb but it is very expensive and we will be skint for a while. Money needs to be spent on the house as well - though cats have priority, obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Electric fencing for cats is not at all the same as for horses, not nearly as strong. Several French cat rescuers/lovers we knew had one all the way around their garden, mainly walled so easier to fix. Once a cat has taken a slight ping he doesn't usually try again and after a while even if the fence is turned off for some reason, they don't try to get out. The advantage over an enclosure is that the cats have the whole run of your garden in safety. It may seem harsh, but not as harsh as getting hit by a car or suffering from poison.http://www.sureguard.com.au/cat_electric_fence_enclosures.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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