DIY Network

Outdoor Cat Structure and Underground Dog Fence From "Barkitecture" episode DBAR-209

The Barkitecture team works to create outdoor access for the family's cats and dogs, and yet keeps them from roaming off.

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

Materials:

angled aluminum
chop saw
jig saw
nuts and bolts
drill
staple gun
wire mesh hardware cloth
outdoor carpeting
heavy twine
all-purpose glue
1/4" plywood (4’x8’)
screwdriver
Let Meow-T window cat door
PVC
Plexiglas sheet
silicone adhesive

Outdoor Cat Structure

1. Cut the angled aluminum to size using a chop saw (figure A)--(9) 36" pieces for the cross supports, (2) 60" pieces for the front legs, (2) 72" lengths for the back legs, (2) 24" lengths, (2) 20" lengths and (2) 16" lengths all for the shelf supports (cross pieces).

2. Use the two 60" pieces of angled aluminum, along with three of the 36" pieces, to build the front of the frame (figure B). Pre-drill holes in the aluminum and attach the pieces together using nuts and bolts. In order to install the hardware cloth, it has to be put in place while building the frame. Lock it into place while attaching the 36" cross pieces to the 60" supports. Once the cross pieces are attached the hardware cloth will be held in place (figure C).

3. Build the remaining walls, angling the side cross pieces to achieve a modern look. Continue to attach hardware cloth while building the remaining frame, and then assemble the frame (figure D).

4. Cut out the shelves from the plywood using the jigsaw. (1) 24"x35-1/2' for the top shelf, (1) 19"x35-1/2" for the middle shelf and (1) 16"x35-1/2" for the bottom shelf. Cut out a corner from both the top and middle shelf for the cats to have access to all levels. The cut out should be a minimum of a 6" square. Cover plywood with indoor/outdoor carpeting: gluing and stapling the carpet into place (figure E). Set floors into place in the structure on the shelf supports.

5. Cut wood for scratch walls to size. Drill a 3/4" hole in one corner and insert one end of the twine and tie a knot to secure. Spread glue evenly on scratch wall and wrap tightly with twine. Finish the wall by drilling another hole in the opposite corner and tying off the twine (figure F).

6. Install Let Meow-T into the chosen window according to manufacturers' instructions (figure G). Depending on the amount of space between your window and the structure, it may be necessary to create a tunnel from scrap plywood and a sheet of PVC plastic. This assuresthe safe transit of your cat from the house to the cat play area.

7. Attach structure to Let Meow-T (or to connecting tunnel), and then attach Plexiglas roof using silicone adhesive (figure H).

8. The cats will love their finished structure (figure I)!

Figure H

Figure I

Underground Dog Fence

Work with a local underground fencing expert to gain access to a special machine that will drive the wire about six inches into the ground (figure J). Then, follow manufacturers' instructions to install the transmitter and set the boundaries (figure K). Dogs should be trained 15 minutes a day for two weeks with the new collars before they can be trusted with the underground fence.

Figure J

Figure K

RESOURCES :

Young-Williams Animal Center
Website: www.knoxpets.org

The American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Website: www.aspca.org

Petfinder.com
Website: www.petfinder.com