We’ve been focusing so much on getting the catio fixed up and useable, it’s been slow going on the cat isolation shelter build.
I was actually able to get a bit of progress done on it last night.
The torn fabric from one of the catio’s floating shelves was badly frayed where it had torn loose while being transported, as were all the edges once the rest of it was torn free of the staples. The fabric, however, is very durable and there was still a decent amount of it.
So it got washed, then my daughter hemmed it and attached grommets to the corners.
Last night, I added screw hooks to attach it to the isolation shelter.
Here, you can see it set up over the main opening between top and bottom levels. It’s too short to fit all the way across, so I’ve got it secured at five points. Three, directly to hooks in the frame, one with a loop to reach a forth hook. I’d actually put loops on both grommets on that side, but added the fifth hook to the frame near one corner as well. The loops are just Mason’s twine, which should be strong enough to last a long time. If not, have other cordage we can try.
Having it there means a cat wouldn’t be able to jump straight up from the bottom, but they could still use the scratching post ramp to get to the second level. Plus, since it’s just on hooks, it is easy to remove for cleaning, or if it turns out to be in the way. If I can find suitable clear plastic to cover the front of the shelter, I can see cats quite enjoying being able to hang out on the hammock, looking outside.
Today, I got a couple more things done.
The first was a start on securing mesh onto the pallet floor on the bottom level. It would have been much easier if I’d caught on to the potential problem before the frame was attached to the pallet, but… oh, well.
I had intended to use a rather fine black plastic mesh that I have, but that would have required two rolls to cover the bottom. I had a section of mesh that was used for a garden bed cover left over, so I checked if it would fit.
It fit rather well. A bit short on the sides side, but not enough to be a safety concern, should we ever had to keep very small kittens isolated in there.
I centred it as best I could, then used streel strapping to secure it on the sides.
The front and back have a gap running from one side to the other that needs to be covered, so the mesh will be folded upwards and attached to the inside of the frame. Attaching the back is going to be harder, since I added the wire mesh to it before I realized the openings in the pallet were a potential problem.
Bending and reaching in to screw in the strapping was very painful, though. I’m going to have to ask a daughter to secure the front and back.
I think we can get away with using wood lath nailed in place for that, though.
Since I wasn’t physically able to finish that job, I got a start on another. Assembling the pre-painted boards for the main door/ramp.
This is how it will be used until we have to isolate a cat inside. It will need hinges added to the bottom, plus something attached to the frame at the top to keep it from falling inwards. It will also need a latch to secure it closed when we’ve got a cat that needs to be kept inside.
The rest of the bottom level will have wire mesh attached to the openings. This door way is large enough that we can reach inside to take a litter box in and out, or the non-insulated box nest that’s too tall to fit under the shelf on the second level.
The upper level will have two access points on the sides. I was thinking of having one near the front and the other near the back. These will allow us to reach in for the food and water bowls that will be in there, remove the hammock if we need to, or move the insulated box nest around.
Or, hopefully, reach a cat that needs to tending to. That might be a bit more difficult, it it really doesn’t want to get got!
I’d rather have sliding panels, for better control of the opening, in case a more feral cat tries to escape, but I think I’ll just have to settle on hinged doors, instead.
I brought over another leftover sheet of rigid insulation. I plan to cut pieces to fit the side openings. If I’m going to have hinged doors, anyway, they can have insulation added to the insides. The other sections will be walled off, so they can have insulation laid over the openings the same way it was done on the back, a week ago, which you can see below.
It isn’t a lot of progress today, but it’s something!
Hopefully, I’ll get some actual sleep tonight, and will be able to get more done tomorrow.
Little by little, it’s getting done.
The Re-Farmer
The Re-Farmer 