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Posted by Jocund Day on September 03, 2002 at 18:38:26:

In Reply to: handicapped cat habitat posted by lallen5644 on August 15, 2002 at 09:41:38:

:Recently our outdoor (1 year old) cat came home limping with an
:injured leg. We took him to the Vet and found he had dislocated
:shoulder. We had him fixed up and a cast on. Later that week his
:injury turned into a bad infection and had to be amputated. I
:do not know how a dislocated shoulder could do this, but none the
:less our cat lost his arm all the way to the shoulder.

:Because of where we live (Colorado Rockies)
:the Vet told us that the cat could no longer go outside, he would
:be coyote dinner. We didn't know coyotes, mountain lions, and
:foxes were so prevelant in this area, but after talking to some
:residents, they have even witnessed small dogs and cats being snatched
:during the day in fenced in yards. Our cats love to be outside and
:now with this knowledge and one cat disabled we know they will not
:be safe. I am sorry but I do not have the fortitude to turn away
:from their crying and pining for the outdoors. What I thought I could do
:is make a large outdoor cat habitat of screen meshing or some sort of
:see through fencing with access to and from the house. Has anyone
:every come across anything like this. I would like to find a design
:and build it myself or perhaps a business that does this. Any suggestions
:will be greatly appreciated.
:Thanks !

Yes, I've built something that would serve your poor cat's purpose. Picture a gazebo-like structure, 6X6X9 feet, with a deck floor about 2 feet off the ground, the bottom 2/3's chicken-wired all around and the top 1/3 plexiglassed in to keep out the wind/snow/rain. There is a wide shelf for lounging at the plexiglass level. A large piece of driftwood inside makes a great ladder and scratching post. It has a steeply pitched hip roof and the cats enter it through a plywood tunnel which leads into the house through a pet door set in plywood through a window. Everyone who sees it raves. Had I not had such a good job I would have taken up building these things for a living long ago. No plans, but a can send you a picture or two. The materials coast me about $400.00. My cats' safety is well worth it. Good luck.

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