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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / February 2006Preparing cats for the big move
By the end of this month I will be moved over to the new house. Probably won't get the fence completed for a while yet so meanwhile the cats will just have to stay inside. I am preparing them for it slowly. It's not hard to keep them in when it's cold, and we're finally getting some cold weather. It may last for another few weeks. I think it's a good thing to keep kitties inside for a while after a move, anyway, until they are thoroughly familiar with the house and they've adjusted to living there. I decided against putting up a board fence like I originally planned. Not that I wouldn't like to have a wooden fence, but it would just been too costly. What I'll do instead is use welded wire, with electric at the top, and plant bushes for privacy and a windbreak. Anyone had any experience with "Austrees"? http://www.rmausa.com/rma/trees/austree.html The neighbors on two sides already have their yards fenced with welded wire, so on those sides I can just plant steel t-posts with insulators on top and run aluminum wire close to the top of the existing fence. I already have a small charger and a post-pounder, 100' of w.w. and about 18 t-posts, and so the expense will be minimal, I'll just need one more roll of w.w. and maybe a dozen more t-posts for the other sides. I'm thinking that as long as the cats are kept inside they will spend time looking out the windows and seeing/hearing vehicles whiz past, and hopefully that will help them understand why they'll be finding themselves confined to the backyard once I let them go out. > By the end of this month I will be moved over to the new house. > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > that will help them understand why they'll be finding themselves confined to > the backyard once I let them go out. Have you ever considered just building an enclosure and forgetting about trying to fence the entire yard? Even an 8x10 enclosure, enclosed at the top, would be very safe and much less expensive. You wouldn't have to use a fence charger either. You could furnish it with all kinds of ramps, ledges, perches, scraching posts, climbing trees and leave a grass floor. I would really be concerned about the safety of the cats. I'd be afraid they'd get zapped by the charger, then panic and get hung up on wire fence. Or it wouldn't be effective in keeping them from escaping. Sherry > Have you ever considered just building an enclosure and forgetting > about trying to fence the entire yard? Even an 8x10 enclosure, enclosed [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > up on wire fence. Or it wouldn't be effective in keeping them from > escaping. No I hadn't considered that idea because we are talking about seven cats, who have had free run of a *very* large territory all their lives. There won't be any danger to them from the fence I described. They may initially try to climb it, sure, and get zapped, jump back down and probably never try it again. I'm trying to picture whatever you're picturing that you think they could "get hung up" on, and I can't. Do you know what welded wire is? I need to fence the whole yard anyway for security reasons and to protect the garden from other folks' pets roaming at large (not to mention the people themselves, who might find my produce mighty tempting when they know I'm gone for the day). Besides, I will introduce the cats one by one to the yard and fence, and be watching closely until I am sure each one has got the message about staying in the yard. I'm just thankful it's a big enough yard that they at least won't feel seriously confined in it. What I might do, though, is build an enclosure they can use instead of going out in the yard when I am not at home. That way I will be able to stay gone for several days if I wish, without having to leave them totally cooped up in the house yet free from worry that they might find a way to escape the yard in my absence. >> Have you ever considered just building an enclosure and forgetting >> about trying to fence the entire yard? Even an 8x10 enclosure, enclosed [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > in the house yet free from worry that they might find a way to escape the > yard in my absence. Ok so why not build or by an enclosure for the cats, and fence the yard in for security/privacy and leave the cats free reign in the enclosure, and forget about the electric fence, etc? Lots of people keep their cats in enclosures with no issues. Also with certain parts of the country being lawsuit happy - could you be leaving yourself open to one with the electric fence? I presume you will have a warning posted? Here if you leave a hose on your own property, and someone trips over it and hurts themselves the homeowner can be liable for damages to the one who tripped over the hose EVEN though it was on what is essentially private property. > Also with certain parts of the country being lawsuit happy - could you be > leaving yourself open to one with the electric fence? I suppose someone could try to sue me if there was a tort involved (negligence, e.g. I didn't post a sign), and actual damages. But how much damage can be done by an electric fence? Indeed I wonder how many people here have ever touched an electric fence. I've done it dozens of times by accident. If I ever tried to sue someone over it, the court clerk would bust out laughing when I filed the complaint. >> Also with certain parts of the country being lawsuit happy - could >> you be leaving yourself open to one with the electric fence? [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > sue someone over it, the court clerk would bust out laughing when I > filed the complaint. As a kid, it was fun to hold onto an electric fence then touch other kids as they walked pass, for some reason the shock seems worse if you're not expecting it. <evil grin> Another time, when my brother and I were quite small, we had metal frame beds which we wired up so my mother got a shock when she touched them. I've grown up now, honest!  SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) A House is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk >> Have you ever considered just building an enclosure and forgetting >> about trying to fence the entire yard? Even an 8x10 enclosure, [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > them totally cooped up in the house yet free from worry that they > might find a way to escape the yard in my absence. Miranda and Caliban have a wonderful enclosure and I don't see why it wouldn't work for all of your cats. They'll get used to an enclosed space and still have access to the outdoors. Jill > By the end of this month I will be moved over to the new house. > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > hopefully that will help them understand why they'll be finding themselves > confined to the backyard once I let them go out. Please come up with a different alternative. If there is any possibility that a cat could come into contact with an electric fence (which is your reason for installing one), it could be dangerous and painful. Yes, I am familiar with electric fences. However, they are intended for larger animals. I was once riding a horse which touched an electric fence with his nose. The moisture on his nose probably intensified the sensation, and he literally went crazy (with me on his back!). An enclosure such as what Sherry described could work very well. In addition to my concerns about safety and the possibility of a painful experience for your cats, you might find that you could not legally install an electric fence. They are frequently used in rural areas, but they are prohibited in many residential areas. Unless you carefully check city ordinances (and even builders' codes, depending on where you live), you could find yourself with the additional expense and inconvenience of removing something that you had installed. Here are a number of linkes (with pictures) of some outdoor fences or enclosures for cats. Some are expensive, but many are simple and do-it-yourself: Design for do-it-yourself barrier to mount on top of fence (to keep cats in): http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/backyard.html Outdoor fence enclosure (several views): http://www.just4cats.com/ http://www.just4cats.com/post1.html http://www.just4cats.com/page7.html A guide to inexpensive do-it-yourself fencing: http://www.feralcat.com/fence.html Cat fence-in containment system: http://www.catfencein.com/ http://www.fabcats.org (includes an information sheet that can be downloaded) "Friendly Fence": web site says it is virtually invisible www.friendlyfence.com Pictures from readers of "Cat Fancy" showing enclosures they have built: http://www.animalnetwork.com/cats/enclosure.asp Other ideas for outdoor fencing for cats: http://www.just4cats.com/page7.html http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-worldenclosures.htm http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/backyard.html KittyKlips - addition to existing wood fence to prevent cats from climbing [note: but would not prevent cats on the "other" side of fence from getting in]: http://kittyklips.com/details.htm Cat enclosure made of planks and netting: http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-worldenclosures.htm Modular cat enclosures: http://www.catnip.com.au/ Flippy's page: http://www.flippyscatpage.com/enclosures.html MaryL Photos of Duffy and Holly: >'o'< Duffy: http://tinyurl.com/cslwf Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e Recent pics: http://tinyurl.com/clal7 > Yes, I am familiar with electric fences. However, they are intended for > larger animals. Electric fences are in fact used to contain all kinds and sizes of animals. I wish I could afford the type shown on this page: http://www.sureguard.com.au/cat_electric_fence.html >> Yes, I am familiar with electric fences. However, they are intended for >> larger animals. > > Electric fences are in fact used to contain all kinds and sizes of > animals. I wish I could afford the type shown on this page: > http://www.sureguard.com.au/cat_electric_fence.html The neighbor across from us has an electric fence. It is just there to keep his dogs from attacking the fence every time they see anyone. There is no way he would risk hurting those dogs or his cats or his grandchildren. Since he wired it the dogs still charge the fence but come to a screeching halt and shut up just before they hit it. Jo >> Yes, I am familiar with electric fences. However, they are intended for >> larger animals. > >Electric fences are in fact used to contain all kinds and sizes of animals. >I wish I could afford the type shown on this page: >http://www.sureguard.com.au/cat_electric_fence.html I was concerned when I read about your proposed electric fence, like other posters, but I assumed that you knew to check that the output was safe for smaller animals - like out furry ones. Actually, I goggled electric cat fences, and saw the one you posted the link to. If I were to get an electrical system, I would lean toward those wireless fences which come with a collar which sounds a beep to warn the cat away from the fence, but doesn't actually produce a shock unless they get closer. Of coure, looks like they're more expensive, and it would require all your cats to actually wear the collar. This type sounds a lot like clicker training, but it's still negactive feed back, and I've always heard that cats learn faster through positive feedback. I guess that would mean you stay by the fence line 24/7 and hand out treats whenever they turn back from the fence. The best option I saw (other than an roofed enclosure) would be some of the flexible cat fencing. The problem with all the cat fences would be that cats seemed to have trained with houdini, and if there's any way possible to get out they'll find it. SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Spot with loving memories of Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html > Please come up with a different alternative. If there is any possibility > that a cat could come into contact with an electric fence (which is your [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > literally went crazy (with me on his back!). An enclosure such as what > Sherry described could work very well. Actually, small animal fence chargers wouldn't present a risk of harm. And getting a sting on the paw *is* the whole idea. Once a kitty gets bitten by touching the "magic wire", said kitty will avoid touching it again. > Please come up with a different alternative. If there is any possibility > that a cat could come into contact with an electric fence (which is your [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > literally went crazy (with me on his back!). An enclosure such as what > Sherry described could work very well. Actually, with a small animal fence charger there would not a risk of harm. They do sting when you touch them, but that's the idea. Once a kitty touches the "magic wire" and learns that it bites, said kitty remember that and avoid the wire in the future. > Actually, with a small animal fence charger there would not a risk of > harm. They do sting when you touch them, but that's the idea. Once a kitty > touches the "magic wire" and learns that it bites, said kitty remember > that and avoid the wire in the future. I may be wrong, but I got the impression this is a fence charger rated for livestock. Fence chargers aren't created equal; and a charger designed to keep in a half-ton bull is going to deliver a hell of a bite to an 8-pound cat. The chargers marketed for small animals delivery a very low charge. Not to mention what is going to happen if the thing gets wet and malfunctions. I can see we are becoming divided on this issue; and first I want to make clear I don't think Pat would deliberately harm her cats in a million years. But I don't think she has thought this through. A cat who is accustomed to free roaming, who is displaced into a strange, new, unfamiliar territory is going to be upset already. Then to receive an electric shock every time they try to do what's been coming naturally to them all their lives is going to make them downright neurotic, and manifest behavioral problems. Cats just don't respond the same way dogs/cattle/horses do. They're such a different critter. It's not that hard to re-train most cats to stay in an enclosure. I have free-roaming cats, too. They've been indoors for the last month or so since the skunk incident, and quite honestly, after the first week, they adjusted very well. Sherry > I may be wrong, but I got the impression this is a fence charger rated > for livestock. Fence chargers aren't created equal; and a charger > designed to keep in a half-ton bull is going to deliver a hell of a > bite to an 8-pound cat. The chargers marketed for small animals > delivery a very low charge. Not to mention what is going to happen if > the thing gets wet and malfunctions. My charger is very small ($20 at the feed store). The charge it delivers depends to some extent on the length of wire being charged. It has been adequate to charge a wire about 20' long to keep horses back. After I move, it will be charging about 400'. It hasn't gotten wet in five years because it's kept inside! I use insulated wire going through the wall. > I can see we are becoming divided on this issue; and first I want to > make clear I don't think Pat would deliberately harm her cats in a [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > respond the same way dogs/cattle/horses do. They're such a different > critter. I've weighed the options carefully. The cost of building an enclosure would be higher than what I have planned. I am sure the cats will be much happier having the whole yard available rather than just a small area. Although they have roamed free, they mostly stick very close to the house except on rare occasions Abelard wanders off, or one of the others goes down to Gloria's barn. If I was staying here I would also be doing something to keep them in the yard because it's too upsetting when Abelard stays out too long. > It's not that hard to re-train most cats to stay in an enclosure. I > have free-roaming cats, too. They've been indoors for the last month or > so since the skunk incident, and quite honestly, after the first week, > they adjusted very well. I wouldn't want to force them to live indoors permanently unless it was the only option available (like if I lived in a high-rise apartment or something - which I will NEVER do). Cats who get outside to run around are healthier and happier, so as long as they are safe out there, so I want them to go out and stay out as much as they want. > My charger is very small ($20 at the feed store). The charge it delivers > depends to some extent on the length of wire being charged. It has been > adequate to charge a wire about 20' long to keep horses back. After I move, > it will be charging about 400'. It hasn't gotten wet in five years because > it's kept inside! I use insulated wire going through the wall. Ok, if it is adequate to charge a 20' wire it is going to be adequate to charge 400' feet of wire and still provide a useful charge so that it remains to be an incentive to not touch it or escape your yard? > Ok, if it is adequate to charge a 20' wire it is going to be adequate to > charge 400' feet of wire and still provide a useful charge so that it > remains to be an incentive to not touch it or escape your yard? I think so. I tested it with a 200' length of wire and it still gave me a pretty good "bite", and that was 10x the distance of the original wire used to keep the horses off my driveway on the farm. So, doubling it one more time it should still work for the kitties. If not, there are other chargers I can check into. >> Actually, with a small animal fence charger there would not a risk of >> harm. They do sting when you touch them, but that's the idea. Once a [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Sherry I hate to say this but I think Pat is equivocating cats in the wild with cats in town. It's definitely not the same thing. Build an enclosure; forget about electric fences. Jill Pat, good luck on everything. Hope the cats are not too hard to contain, and we are happy that you finally have a place of your own. Take it easy, let us know about the progress. Lily & her mama SignatureIrulan from the stars we come to the stars we return from now until the end of time > By the end of this month I will be moved over to the new house. > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > hopefully that will help them understand why they'll be finding themselves > confined to the backyard once I let them go out. |
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