When we got our two kittens from the Humane Society, I tried – I really tried – to keep them indoors both for their safety and that of our birds. But, I lost the fight, as they cleverly figured out ways to get to and out the dog door, even with a shock mat in front of it. I guess some cats just need to feel the grass beneath their feet, smell fresh air, and play hide and seek in bushes instead of behind the furniture.

When Susan and Dan Gottlieb of Beverly Hills, California were confronted with this dilemma, they came up with a great solution – an outdoor cat run. After one of their cats got out of the house and was killed by a coyote, they hired a carpenter to build an enclosed run.

In the beginning there was only one entrance to the run, but after realizing the pleasure this outdoor opportunity provided their pets, they expanded the system to include five entrances and lots of space to run up and downs hills and through bushes. The Gottlieb’s run includes tunnel-shaped fencing stapled to the sides of a wood platform. Parts are carpeted or have rubberized matting like those used as kitchen drawer liners.

If you are a talented handy-person, you can create your own outdoor cat run with raw materials, a saw, and a staple gun. Or, for those with less skill or time, there are prefabricated outdoor cat runs made of galvanized and powder-coated steel like those from The Cat’s Den. The Cat’s Den outdoor cat enclosures are not cages or simple cat runs, but a unique modular system that includes tunnels, wooden perches, and floor materials. The Cat’s Den has seven different enclosure styles or your can work with them to design your dream cat run. You can even add customized features like awnings and hammocks if you want.

When you have completed your cat’s personalized run, you will have a happy and a safe pet – it is worth a try because cats that roam freely live much shorter and more danger filled lives than protected pets.

Posted by Barbara.