STAR New York

In March I was contacted by Star. Star eventually built a catio (weird weather holdups) but was already ahead of the game with the funhouse built for the cats! You can check that out here: http://www.starartproductions.com/cat-fun.html

Now, check out this catio story! Current pricing included, thank you Star for such comprehensive information!

Hi Dawn,

Hope all is well with you…

You might recall….

I’m the one that recently emailed you.

The one with the crazy cat walks throughout my house?

I contacted you early in March and I had just received the materials to get started on our Catio.

First of all I would like to thank you again for the wonderful information on

those Grid Wire organizers you posted on your site. 

I’m so grateful for all the advice and different ideas and pictures you posted.

I started as soon as I could over here in NY, however the weather took quite a turn with some unusual  Noreasters  adding snow here in March and April to prolong the mission.

However I am happy to report that we have finally completed a wonderful space for our dear Choco-Lettes.

Then again I am sure we will still be tweaking and adding things in the near future.

As you can see the catio has been placed in very nice private area facing our bamboo grove which also nests quite a bit of birds. 

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what a hit that is.

The Catio entrance for the cats is through our living room window.

It did take the cats a couple of days of training for them to understand how to use the screen door, but now all is perfectly in sync here. 

They are now come and go as they please.

I also decided on making a 12 panel access door next to the fence so that I can get in easier to bring them additional goodies.

To top things off, I came across solar lights at the dollar store.

I installed 7 of them on the top perimeter of the cat and found if you just take off the base, they rest really nicely in the square openings on top.

So in the evening the place turns into a “Catio Disco”.

Installed in this luxurious Catio is a tree trunk (covered in sisal for better grip), some driftwood for climbing and lounging, some grass for nibbling some flowers and other greenery.

A custom Catio Sign which the artist in me just had to add.

When the weather is nice I put their nest (basket),  a little cat cave and some towels for lounging in as well.

In the future we’re also thinking of putting some clear corrugated plastic panels on top, so they can enjoy it all in the rain.

I have to admit that I started this project with absolutely no specific plans and pretty much winged it from beginning to end.

And yes… there were times I had to undo and redo some steps, (thank god for the easy working cable ties) but on the whole it was a fun puzzle solving project and it all came together ever so nicely.

You’re site was a wonderful place to go to when I needed direction and inspiration.

I would recommend this project for anyone. It’s not rocket science.

The wire storage panels are so versatile and easy to work with, not to mention reasonably priced.

The Catio also become very sturdy and strong after the cables ties are attached

And like I mentioned before….

If you make a mistake you just undo and redo and move on.

Yesterday and today were the first 70 plus degree weather days here and the cats have gone to heaven.

They are now practically living outside.

Looking forward to enjoying this Catio for years to come.

Some various info:

Costway  (Jet.com) 12 Cube Grid Wire Organizer  

(Cost  per pack –  $39.00 with free shipping)

I wound up ordering 2 which I probably could have gotten away with.

But wound up ordering one more set for a little more space and luxury….

from which I also have quite a few leftover panels for future addition or replacements

So that was a total of  $117.00 for 3 sets.

One Screen Pet Door from Ebay for $6.00 including free shipping.

And I have to say it was a snap to install

7 Solar Lights from the dollar store $7.00 total

Cable Ties (from Home Depot) for a huge bag of which I have lots left over despite some of my errors at times… Approx $25.00 

Tree Trunk and Driftwood (free)

I used Corrugated plastic boards (the kind used for outdoor signs)which I had left over from other projects, and some Plastic Placemats for the platforms.

Catio Sign –  Leftover paint and wood….

Everything else you see were things from our yard or what I had at home. Grass, flowers and Plantings transplanted from our yard.

So roughly I would have to say the total came to about $155.00

for everything you see…    And well worth it.

Eventually I will be posting this on my website which right now only has the interior cat playground as I had initially shared with you

http://www.starartproductions.com/cat-fun.html

Please feel free to post any of this on your site or contact me with any questions.

I hope this will inspire more cat lovers out there to just go out there and do it. Take my word for it….. 

Your cats will be the happiest felines around.

Attached are the visuals.

Will send you some additional ones in another email….

Thanks again for all your inspiration and help Dawn.

Much appreciated.

STAR

and the ever so Happy

Chocolettes.