I was not expecting to be able to work on the cat isolation shelter at all today, but with my afternoon appointment cancelled, I was able to get a bit done.
There really isn’t a lot left that I can do right now. I installed the larger shelf across the back of the shelter, then the small one in the front that is meant to act as something a cat can use to climb up to the second level.
Then I dragged the whole thing outside for pictures in better light.
I’m hoping that shelf across the back will hold up without a support in the middle. It seems sturdy, but this is salvaged wood, and there is some damage on the underside.
In the front view, you can see the little shelf on the bottom right – and the areas on the second level floor boards that will need paint, since that all got changed quite a bit!
The cats have definitely been checking it out when I’m not around.
Syndol likes to hang out with me while I’m working. He kept very politely asking for attention! I’d be working on something and feel a paw gently grab and pull on my arm.
I pet him, of course.
With the shelves in place, I took the time to take the bits of wood and nails off the 2x4s left from the pallet I’d cut apart to use for “nesting” boxes. The wood is pretty damaged, but I might be able to salvage it for something.
Syndol was my helper.
Right now, I’m trying to figure out what to use to support the roof. I want just enough of a slope for rain to drain off. I might have come up with a solution, but I’m not sure, yet. I’ll have to grab out the sheet of metal roof I’m hoping to use and take some measurements, too. I might need to find a second matching sheet in the barn.
Until I figure out and acquire what is needed to make the main door/ramp and the access panels on the second level, I’m not going to put a roof on, though putting the supports in place first might be useful.
At this point, it looks like I’m going to have to start buying material, and that will have to wait until pay comes in.
I am quite happy with how well the whole thing moves around. It is better on the grass than the dirt floor of the garage. I can foresee a time when the wheels would need to be replaced, but it would take a while before that becomes necessary.
It’s not a lot of progress, but I’m happy with it.
I think the cats will like it, too!
The Re-Farmer
The Re-Farmer 