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View Full Version : Cat Run: Day 1

ShorthairMartin
10-05-2009, 04:43 PM
I decided to attempt some work today (being that its the first day we've had without rain). Its the first DIY i've ever really done so its taking a while hehe :)

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He definatley knows whats coming now... He has made a mess of the window seals trying to get out :D
If the weather stays decent I will get it all stained and the mesh stapled on tomorrow. Then I'll attempt the roof and the "penthouse" bit over the window.
pinklizzy
10-05-2009, 05:31 PM
It looks great so far, a really huge space! What a lucky boy!
Mags
10-05-2009, 06:35 PM
You have been busy!! :D He's going to have plenty of room in there and I'm sure he'll love it!
smudgley
10-05-2009, 06:59 PM
Look at him peeping out of the window saying "my new run.... I love it! & can't wait to try it out"

looks great. :cool:
Kazz
10-05-2009, 07:25 PM
Good on you,...looks good.
angieh
10-05-2009, 08:03 PM
"It's all for meeeeee!" Lucky Milo - King of all he surveys.
dandysmom
10-05-2009, 08:36 PM
Wow, you've accomplished a lot today; looking good! Milo's going to love that! Any luck in locating a tree trunk yet? How are you going to anchor it to the foundation? Keep the pics coming!
calismum
10-05-2009, 10:55 PM
Looks great, I do hope he appreciates all that hard work. Can't wait to see the next load of pics.
Moli
10-05-2009, 11:03 PM
Looking reallly good, he is a lucky boy.....
Leesy
11-05-2009, 09:10 AM
Thats looking great, it`s going to be a lovely size with plenty of room for Milo to move about he will love it;)
dinahsmum
11-05-2009, 09:19 AM
I'm sure he'll enjoy that!
yola
11-05-2009, 09:21 AM
You've never done DIY??? That's looking really good - hopefully Milo will have a field day (well, maybe patio day ;)) in there :-D
pookyandjo
11-05-2009, 10:39 AM
love the pic of him sitting in the window looking at the progress... lucky boy...'for your first go at DIY you are doing well...
ShorthairMartin
11-05-2009, 05:33 PM
Still no luck on the tree yet, but I have a few more on my list to phone. The sun has miraculously been shining all day with a slight breeze... Perfect conditions for treating the timber :)
Its all treated now and the mesh is on 75% of it. I have screwed into the wall to secure it and was going to screw down into the patio, but it really doesnt need it as it is much firmer than I had anticipated. All thats left is the door, the mesh for the roof (this is the bit i'm dreading to be honest), and the penthouse so he can come and go through the window.

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Just hope the weather holds out now :D
Leesy
11-05-2009, 06:05 PM
Thats looking great Martin, can`t wait to see it all finnished and Milo sat inside it.:D
dandysmom
11-05-2009, 08:10 PM
And this your first DIY project? You're a natural, it's looking great! Will one of those panels be hinged to make a door so you can get into it without having to crawl rhru the window? Oherwise, how will you get the tree trunk in?
calismum
11-05-2009, 08:38 PM
Looking good. I'm sure he'll appreciate it.
Elaine
11-05-2009, 08:39 PM
How very impressive, so when are you gonna make one for me?:lol:
ShorthairMartin
11-05-2009, 08:59 PM
hehe, thanks everyone... It really is the first DIY I've done. Although I have to admit, I have been saying I'll do this for the last two years so I have literally gone over the measurements a hundred times on paper lol. I am still surprised how straight forward it has been, and the bench saw I borrowed from my father REALLY made a difference (I knew it would come in handy when I bought it for him last christmas :D). I will be going back to my local timber yard tomorrow to pick up some more wood for a door. I knew I hadn't bought enough wood for it at the start but I knew I would confuse myself if I started thinking about a door. Easier to work it out when its built I think hehe :)
MrsH
11-05-2009, 09:41 PM
It looks brilliant, what sort of roof are you going to have on it?
ShorthairMartin
12-05-2009, 04:54 PM
I'm just going to mesh the roof for now (mainly because I have a lot left over) I am toying with a couple of other ideas but that might have to be for another day :)
Only had a few hours today, so I have only managed to get one more gap meshed off and do the framework over the window (Notice the very annoyingly placed vent) :D

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Hope to get the door done tomorrow :)
yola
12-05-2009, 05:21 PM
That's a nifty bit of woodworking round that vent . . . nice one! And a sloping roof? Looking forward to seeing the finished result now!!
Mags
12-05-2009, 05:57 PM
Excellent work! :D
dandysmom
12-05-2009, 08:05 PM
I'm very impressed, Martin, looking good!!
HappyKatz
12-05-2009, 08:19 PM
Well built SM! :smt023 Its the perfect place for cats :cat10 Look forward to seeing it finished :-D
pookyandjo
12-05-2009, 11:05 PM
looks fabulous.. you could have yourself a little side business there... im sure there are lots of people in the local area with cats that would like that sort of thing and have't got the knowlege to do it themselves... maybe you should look into it!..I bet Milo can't wait to get out there!
Leesy
13-05-2009, 08:20 AM
Looking great Martin, so looking forward to the end result;) . Any luck with the search for a tree stump yet?
Gumby Cat
13-05-2009, 05:43 PM
Looks very professional, well done Martin. I hope today's weather didn't stop you finishing it?
Moli
13-05-2009, 05:54 PM
Wow that is great....
ShorthairMartin
13-05-2009, 10:19 PM
well, the heavens did infact open... all day too. I managed to get the door built in my kitchen but will have to wait for a break in the weather to stain it and hang it. And I don't want to even attempt the roof with the wind as it is :(
Just hope for some good weather so I can get it finished before I have to go back to work next week :)
ShorthairMartin
16-05-2009, 05:58 PM
My sister has come to the rescue... She has an unwanted tree with a tree-way split half way up, which is perfect for putting platforms on. One draw back, I have to travel an hour and a half... and chop it down myself :D
Just a quick question. As the tree is still alive, I was wondering if there are any types of trees that cats are allergic to or disagree with? She says it has yellowish flowers on it in summer. Although the bit that I need wont have any flowers of leaves on.
angieh
16-05-2009, 06:04 PM
I just Googled "trees with yellow flowers" and this the the list that came up. Laburnum is poisonous to humans, I would advise you try and identify it and then check to see if any part is dangerous for cats. Wise to do this beforehand!

http://www.findmeplants.co.uk/trees-yellow-flowers.aspx
Gumby Cat
16-05-2009, 06:10 PM
It doesn't sound like a monkey puzzle tree which should definitely be avoided. I lost a cat many years ago because he liked to climb one opposite to where we lived and then went on to develop a lump on his mouth which the vet diagnosed as cancer and we were advised to have him put to sleep. It nearly broke my heart, he was only 18 months old. Then we found out later that monkey puzzle trees exude a sap which can cause growths that look like cancer but in fact aren't and are curable.
ShorthairMartin
16-05-2009, 06:10 PM
Aye, just seen that too, the bit i'm after will not have any flowers, small stems or leaves. But its still a little concerning. How long would you think it would take for the tree to die after chopping it down? I could leave it for a month or two before putting it in there with him just to be safe.
dandysmom
16-05-2009, 08:20 PM
It takes generally 6 to 9 months for wood to be seasoned enough to burn; presume that'd because all the sap has finally dried; probably would be safe enough to use in the pen in less time. The linden tree also has yellowish flowers in Summer, but couldn't find anything on Google to see if it might be poisonous; suspect not at least to humans since it is used in homeopathic medicine.

I'd try for oak or maple if you can .......
Kazz
17-05-2009, 05:11 PM
Does it have to be a tree....could it not just be a solid piece of wood with arms for platforms off at angles/heights?
Looking really really good.
dandysmom
17-05-2009, 07:59 PM
Does it have to be a tree....could it not just be a solid piece of wood with arms for platforms off at angles/heights?
Looking really really good.

That would work, but cats really really love a piece of real tree. My scratching post is a big oak branch that all of them have used enthusiastically!
ShorthairMartin
25-05-2009, 12:41 AM
Well, after a glorious day of sunshine I have managed to get the roof done (finally). It is all but done except for a few bits and bobs like a lock for the door and a few securing bolts into the wall. I will get some more piccies tomorrow and hopefully some of Milo's first outdoor adventure :D
Now i'll have to think about shelves and a little shelter for him, and of course, the tree (If I ever find a suitable one)

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ShorthairMartin
25-05-2009, 12:45 AM
edit... I know my garden is a mess... It is next on my list of things to do (my OH is always at me to sort it) :D
dandysmom
25-05-2009, 02:13 AM
Martin, that's looking great, what a good job! Milo is going to be one happy cat! How I wish I had space for something like that. Don't worry about the garden, they're always a work in progress anyway. Good luck in finding a tree trunk.
pookyandjo
25-05-2009, 06:11 AM
looks fabulous! you've done a smashing job... cant wait to see what you do with the inside... and of course... pics of Milo enjoying MiloLand!
borderdawn
25-05-2009, 07:12 AM
Brilliant!! Look forward to seeing it finished.
Mags
25-05-2009, 09:34 AM
Well done, you've done a great job there! :D

Looking forward to the test run!:lol:
angieh
25-05-2009, 12:32 PM
What a great job Martin. I love Miloland! Look forward to seeing it occupied. Lucky Milo.
Elaine
25-05-2009, 01:10 PM
Loving it:D Cannt wait to see how Milo enjoys it.
calismum
25-05-2009, 01:27 PM
It looks fantastic. I'm sure it will be appreciated. Looking forward to the pics.
ShorthairMartin
26-05-2009, 04:30 PM
If the weather holds out, I will let him out tonight (fingers crossed). Now I have the lock on I feel a lot better leaving him in there unattended too. So just a few more pics before he has his freedom :D)
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http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/5652/ssl21549.jpg^^All of the fence panels will be this colour eventually :D

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dandysmom
26-05-2009, 04:40 PM
That is looking great! What a beautiful job you've done there ... Milo will be one happy cat!
Leesy
26-05-2009, 04:45 PM
That is looking fantastic Martin, just catching up with this thread have not been on for about a week now have been mega busy, but WOW is`t it looking great, is Milo all excited about going out in it, can`t wait to see some pics of him out there:D :D
HappyKatz
26-05-2009, 06:16 PM
Wow that is one fantastic cat run! You did a great job on building it - looks professional :) Milo will love it - can't wait to see photos of him in it :cat27
Moli
26-05-2009, 06:44 PM
That is brilliant....!
yola
26-05-2009, 07:00 PM
What a wonderful space for Milo - looks very thoroughly-built and secure :D And how kind of you to sacrifice a large part of your patio for him . . . easy to tell who's the boss in your household LOL!!
Mags
26-05-2009, 09:43 PM
So when are you taking orders?? :-D

Brilliant!
borderdawn
26-05-2009, 10:39 PM
Great job!!!
ShorthairMartin
27-05-2009, 12:18 PM
. . . easy to tell who's the boss in your household LOL!!

You are not wrong lol :D

Well I let him out yesterday. It took him a while to come out though. He kept putting a paw out of the window and jumping back in everytime he heard a noise. He eventually got the courage to go out onto the shelf, but stayed there for about 20 minutes deciding if it was a good idea to jump down. I had to put the chair there in the end just so he didn't have to drop al the way off. After about 10 minutes of sniffing the air and the floor he seemed quite confident but only while I was there with him. As soon as I went in the house he would scramble up the shelf and dive through the window.

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Its looking a little empty now he is in there so I'll have to get to work on some shelves and a little shelter for him... And see if my Father will donate a tree from his garden :D
My OH is at home all day today so she is going to leave the window open all day to see if he goes out on his own :)
angieh
27-05-2009, 12:22 PM
Oh Milo - you aren't sure, are you? Never mind, your kind two-legs will make it all comfortable for you and you'll love it!

(Any thought of getting him a companion, Martin?)
ShorthairMartin
27-05-2009, 12:33 PM
(Any thought of getting him a companion, Martin?)

Strangely enough, we had a conversation about that last night :D
My OH has been sneekily looking at Lilac Colourpoints. But we will have to have a good think about it first ;)
pookyandjo
27-05-2009, 01:29 PM
looks wonderful...im sure Milo woudl like to share Miloland with a new friend...
Elaine
27-05-2009, 02:36 PM
Bless him, he'll soon get used to it and love it as much as we do:D He's an absolutely gorgeous cat. Is he as cuddly as he looks?
dandysmom
27-05-2009, 04:41 PM
Oh bless, he's not sure what to make of it at first, is he? But he does look more relaxed in the last shots...love the one on his back! Has the feline Building Inspector been by to check it out now? Do let us kow if he ventures out on his own today while you're not there.
alexgirl73
27-05-2009, 04:59 PM
Awww bless him! So not sure :lol: I love the pic of him rolling on the floor lol.
random
27-05-2009, 05:11 PM
Brilliant! Looks like a hit!

I really need to get making mine while the weather is still ok.
borderdawn
27-05-2009, 08:58 PM
He's a lovely chap!! I have 3 BHS's super duper breed!!