Cat Corral Components Information

WHY FENCE THE CAT

Cats are natural outdoor creatures. Much of the conversation today suggests we keep our cat indoors and there are strong arguments as to why we should do this. First is for the cat's safety from feline leukemia and aids, street traffic, fighting, dogs and being hunted by coyotes or other wildlife. Another reason is to protect the natural environment from the hunting instincts of our feline friends. Whatever your reasons fencing is an effective way to solve the problem and help your cat live a healthier happier life.

CAT BEHAVIOR

Cat people know that cats have their own unique personalities. The cat's age, energy, personality and life experiences all enter into how it will react to being fenced. Containing a feral cat use to having free range could have a completely different reaction to the enclosure then a house cat being let out the door for the first time. A cat may have extraordinary climbing, jumping, digging or chewing ability but generally they may test the boundaries and try to escape the corral when first introduced to the enclosure but settle into their new environment after initial exploring. They seem to since and appreciate the opportunity you have given them.

DESIGN

Building a fenced cat enclosure is not rocket science but specific details do need to be addressed. Each instillation presents its own unique considerations. The lay of the land, trees and landscaping, existing structures or fences, maintenance needs, the finished look, who will do the installation, budget considerations all affect the end design.

Generally a post and overhang bracket is needed anywhere the fence changes direction or slop and about every 12 feet. Existing structures, landscaping and other situations may require using different styles of brackets to complete your project. Whatever your situation we can help advise you on methods and products to meet your requirements.

HANDYMAN ABLITIES

Constructing the enclosure is basic straight forward stuff. Basic tool inventory requires a tape measure, post level, maul, pliers and wire cutters. We offer detailed instructions and are available by phone to help if needed. You may also consider using a local handyman or fence installer to build your Corral for you.

THE OVERHANG BRACKET

The top overhang is an effective deterrent to keeping the cat from going over the top of the fence. The cat may climb the fence but I've never seen one hang up side down or suspend on the thin flexing outer edge of the fence material by a claw and go over the top edge. Some cats can jump fairly high but over six foot straight up is very rare.

We offer several styles of Brackets designed to meet about any situations you may encounter. The top edge of our brackets, attached to a 5 foot high post, measures 6.5 feet high. The bracket can be lowered on the post to a height of 6 foot if needed for local zoning laws.

POSTS

The American "T" post is cost effective, easy to install and generally works well for this application. This green post is a standard in America and can be purchased at any hardware or garden supply store for about $6.00. Our "T" post Bracket is designed to work on a 5 foot installed height post. No ground sleeve is needed. The "T" post can be easily driven, aliened and adjusted vertical. Removal can be accomplished when resistance is met or vertical alignment is not obtained.

The 1 3/8 inch round, 16 gauge wall, black Powder Coated or galvanized post requires a Ground Sleeve to hold it upright. The advantage of this post over the "T" post is it has a cleaner, more presentable look.

GROUND SLEEVE

We manufacture our own Ground Sleeve for the 1 3/8 inch round post. The receiving stock is welded to 1 1/2 inch angle iron with a weld hardened driving spot, so no driving cap is needed. This design allows the post to sit on the ground or a treated pad, not in a water filled tube in the ground like the other system. A big advantage of our design over the competition is it can be easily removed with a lever when driving resistance is met like a rock or vertical alignment is not achieved and you need to remove it and try again. A self taping screw is provided to secure the post to the Sleeve.

FENCING MATERIALS

Flexible material with no solid top edge is preferable for the cat enclosure. The most desirable material for the enclosure is a thinner strand with a mesh size around 1 3/4" square and a height of 8 feet. Generally specking, the bigger the mesh and thinner the strands the more invisible it becomes. Heaver thicker strands are stronger and have a longer service life in direct sun light. Quality can very between manufactures and country of origin. There are no existing standards for strength, UV rating or product labeling.

PLASTIC FENCING

(Polypropylene or polyethylene) Plastic fencing is imported and sold in a variety of precut heights, lengths and strand size. Although Plastic does flex its dimension is ridged and it does not stretch. It resists going with the flow and works best on a flat area. Quality and consistent strand size varies between manufactures but there is good stuff out there. Compared to Knotted Nylon, quality plastic has more UV resistance for a longer service life in a sun exposed area.

KNOTTED NYLON NETTING

The #12 Knotted Netting we offer is cut on the square and made in the USA from quality nylon to exact specifications. We buy in large bulk lengths allowing us to cut whatever length you need. #12 Knotted Netting is the most invisible of all fencing material. Its flexible nature makes it very easy to make tight and it applies well on hilly or uneven ground. I like the stuff because its soft and flexible properties allow me to easily reach into the mesh and pet and play with my cat as I walk by. Because the UV protection is bonded to the fibers it does not have as long a service life rating as quality plastic fence material.

GROUND GUARD

This is as important as the overhang in terms of containing your cat and this is where imagination and purchasing local products can be applied. The fence has to have a true, tight connection to the ground. The cat will look for and find any breach if it exists. I've found if the cat is going to put effort into getting out it will be around the gate area because they learn that's where you enter and exist the enclosure.

Welded Wire Garden Fencing, available at any local garden store, works well for chew resistance and abuse from a weed eater. Look for 16 gauge, 18 to 24 inches tall with a mesh size around 2 x 3 inches. Role it out and bend it so one side is 4 to 6 inches long. Attach the long side to the fence with Zip ties at every mesh square virtually bonding the two fence materials together. Securely stake the part toughing the ground to complete the bottom edge. It may not be required along the full length of the enclosure. Maybe just around the gate area will be enough or see how it goes and install this material later if needed.

If weed eating is not needed then weaving 1/2 inch PVC water pipe through the fence where it meets the ground, secured with the provided 12 inch stakes may be all that's needed. The PVC pipe flexes easily over slopping or uneven ground. Fold the remaining fence material onto the ground and secure it with the 6 inch U stakes. This method is effective and easy to install. Welded Wire fencing can be applied to specific areas in the future if the needed.

A third method is to lay a 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 along the ground and secure the fence between it and a trim board. We suggest securing this edge guard with Rebar stakes of a proper length. This method is easier on the weed eater string then Weld Wire garden fence. You may want to use a combination of these designs depending on the various needs of your enclosed area.

BARE STEEL OR POWDER COATED

For environmental concerns and cost savings we prefer to sell our components in there raw steel form. A little natural surface rust means nothing to the service life of the product. Its also very easy to finish the component with spray or brush on some Rust-Oleum.

Powder Coating is a very tough good looking finish. The process involves cleaning with solvents, sand blasting and electro plating. We offer Powder Coating this as an option.

GATES

The cat easily learns this is where you get in and out and will test the defenses around the gate area so attention to detail is critical here. Our GATES serve this need with an assembled 18 inch opening personal access gate or the 32 inch opening gate which accommodates maintenance equipment like a lawn mower and wheelbarrow. Existing gates present there own specific problems, but breeches in security can be over come with a little ingenuity. Any gap larger then two inches needs to be secured. We have brackets and methods to help you secure an existing gate.