Cat Proof Garden?

SallyUK

Morning Everyone

I wondered if anyone had any ideas or suggestions or pictures as to how they've cat proofed their gardens?

As some of you may recall, we're due to get a new pup in 3 weeks time and we already have two pedigree cats which aren't allowed out to roam, but do have a nice cat house that they can go outside into, when the weather is nice.

However, we'd like to be able to open the back door easily without having to worry about the cats escaping each time we take the dog out into the garden to do it's business and be able to leave the door open - if we get any nice weather that is!

I know you can get cat proof fencing that is about 6ft high with an incline at the top, but I'm not convinced my Norwegian boy wouldn't manage to do a Houdini act!

Thanks,

Sally
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tanith

To be honest I can't see anyway to make a garden 'cat proof', can I ask why you need to keep your cats penned in?

It must be hell in the Summer time not being able to open up the house...

ka7e

My big Maine Coon can scale a 6ft pen made of chicken wire, I would be worried he would hurt himself if he had to twist and jump back down at the top (if there was an incline). I have a friend who has totally covered her back garden with wire to keep her cat contained. Tiny garden, though!

Mine was previously a house cat with an outside run, but he was so obviously miserable being confined, that I decided to let him have a go at being an outdoor cat! He never ventures more than one or two gardens away and comes in when called. He has a curfew of 8pm or dusk, whichever is earlier and then stays in for the next 12 hours or so with access to a litter tray.

He was over 1 year old and neutered before we let him out regularly, which might explain why he never feels the need to wander. We have a fairly busy road 2 gardens away, but he has never been seen near it - he is fairly timid where loud noises and sudden movement are concerned, so avoids traffic!

I have a slightly older Maine Coon that has always been allowed out and he wanders the length of our road and stays out later, but he has always been an escape artist and will be really naughty if not allowed out. He has been known to hook wine glasses out of a kitchen cupboard and tip over pot plants when he doesn't get his own way.

frivolous_fay

I've been putting some thought into this one, as our kittens will be able to go out soon. I've been plugging gaps in the fences, but O/H thinks we should leave a gap... so that when they do get out, they can get back in!

Anyone have any tips on a routine to encourage 'acceptable' cat-garden behaviour? (Meaning: I don't want to be worried sick if they get out of the garden, and how will they know their way back?)

pboae

The cat fencing is surprisingly good. It's too flimsy for cats to climb really, but sturdy enough to not fall down if they try. The option is as ka7e says, and run a wire mesh cover right over the top. That's a bit obtrusive though.

tanith

frivolous_fay wrote: »

I've been putting some thought into this one, as our kittens will be able to go out soon. I've been plugging gaps in the fences, but O/H thinks we should leave a gap... so that when they do get out, they can get back in!

Anyone have any tips on a routine to encourage 'acceptable' cat-garden behaviour? (Meaning: I don't want to be worried sick if they get out of the garden, and how will they know their way back?)

I think every cat owner has fears and doubts when it comes to letting out a new kitten (they should be kept inside till they have had jabs and been spayed, unless you are going to breed them) but they learn the way home by gradually venturing further with each outing... an old wives tale is to put butter on their paws , not sure if that one works... but I have had many cats in my lifetime and always let them roam from around 4 or 5 months and never lost one yet... they will be fine.. and I agree with your hubby leave them some gaps in the fence so they can run home when they get scared.. cos no matter how hard you try , they will get out...

SallyUK

tanith wrote: »

To be honest I can't see anyway to make a garden 'cat proof', can I ask why you need to keep your cats penned in?

It must be hell in the Summer time not being able to open up the house...

The house is open in the summer when they're outside in their cat run, which is nice and big and they have loads of space to lounge around and get some fresh air and play with their toys, or climb, or if the weather is bad they can go inside the sheltered side of it, complete with comfy beds etc.

I'd never let my cats wander, as I couldn't stand the thought of seeing them lying at the side of the road, or worse than that someone stealing them and doing horrible things to them to get their fur.

All I wanted was a suggestion that would suit both dogs and cats.

Sally

spookylukey

I've cat proofed my garden using existing fencing and cat proofing netting, the system is attached to existing fencing which must be in good order and ideally 6ft in height. I have two young, extremely athletic cats and I have had zero escape attempts!

Before I installed it I googled the company name (as they don't have a website) and all I could find was praise and not one single report of an escape when the system is properly installed ie sheds etc catproofed also. Lots of pedigree owners seem to have it, mine are just moggies but are just as precious to me It took two days to put it up, it was more time consuming than difficult but it was worth the effort. My two cats can now run free and play in the garden without me worrying about the very fast road that is practically next door, evil humans, other cats, dogs etc

I did ask my neighbours if they had any objections before I put it up (they didn't) but at the end of the day all the fences are my own property and it doesn't need planning permission or anything like that. I don't think it looks too obtrusive, it's not invisible but it's not particularly noticeable either.





It costs £300 for a kit which will do a standard sized garden (50ft x 50ft) - worth every penny in my eyes. Some blurb from the manufacturers about it...

Description

The garden cat-proofing system has been designed to keep your cat within the boundaries of your own garden. It fits to an existing framework of solid garden fencing. Whether that framework is wooden, brick or chainlink is unimportant but it must be in good order and at least 5ft in height – 6ft is ideal. Natural hedging is not suitable.

Angled brackets are fitted to your fence and these are linked with three strands of strong twine that support lightweight netting. Cats cannot negotiate the netting which forms the barrier for your garden.

If you have sheds, pergolas, summerhouses, trees, an extension which has low eaves, or any other structure that is close to the perimeter of your garden, this will need to be cat-proofed as well.

A standard kit will enclose a 50ft x 50ft garden (150ft …..three sides, your house usually forms the fourth side). Full instructions are included with each kit but we are always on hand should you require any help. It is relatively easy to install for anyone used to handling tools, but can be time consuming.

This product is not designed to beautify your garden, but having said that, it is fairly unnoticeable once in place. Interested parties must understand however, that access to the top of the fence.... and to a distance of three feet within it, is imperative, so shrubs and trees must be ruthlessly cut back or removed. Sadly, it sometimes comes down to a straight choice between your foliage or your cat's safety.

planning_officer

Yes that does need planning permission! Any means of enclosure over 2m in height will require it - that forms part of the means of enclosure to the garden, along with the fence - so if it measures over 2m from ground level at its maximum height, it will need permission. There are many examples of similar structures requiring planning permission, including strands of barbed wire on top of fences. Given that the standard fence panels in your photos are 1.8m in height, the cat proofing system takes it over the 2 metre threshold, so unfortunately it requires permission, despite what the manufacturer/supplier may have said.

spookylukey

I have sought advice on the planning issue, the system is anchored well below the 2 metre / 6ft 6 cut off for planning permission, it does rise a further 16 inches along the gradient of the bracket but it is not this height at the perimeter of the garden, if everyone was restricted to a height of 2 metres within the garden then there would be very few sheds etc built. Also, the system is not classed as a permanent structure and doesn't affect anyone elses amenity.

I can't get into a discussion on planning regulations as I know absolutely nothing about them and I guess it's your job (the user name gave the game away!) and as such you know all there is to know about it but I also think, as with anything, there is room for very slightly different interpretations of the regulations.

As I said I did ask my neighbours before hand, I took round photos of what it would look like and none of them were in the slightest bit bothered by it. I think most people would rather other people's cats couldn't get into their gardens to poo in their flowerbeds or kill birds etc that they might have encouraged into their gardens by feeding.

planning_officer

Hi, thanks for your response.

spookylukey wrote: »

I can't get into a discussion on planning regulations as I know absolutely nothing about them and I guess it's your job

True, it does sort of give the game away! lol

spookylukey wrote: »

I have sought advice on the planning issue, the system is anchored well below the 2 metre / 6ft 6 cut off for planning permission, it does rise a further 16 inches along the gradient of the bracket but it is not this height at the perimeter of the garden, if everyone was restricted to a height of 2 metres within the garden then there would be very few sheds etc built. Also, the system is not classed as a permanent structure and doesn't affect anyone elses amenity.

A few misunderstandings there (I'm not sure who you sought planning advice from!). Firstly, where it is anchored makes no difference - it's a 'means of enclosure'. Permitted developments rights for this class of development (fences, walls, gates and other means of enclosure) are governed by Class A of Part 2, Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. This Class states that if any part of the enclosure exceeds 2m in height (or 1m if adjacent to a highway) it is not permitted development and consequently requires planning permission. It doesn't matter at what height the system is anchored to the fence panels or whether part of it leans in over the garden - it's still part of the same means of enclosure. There's plenty of appeal cases to support that.

Secondly, sheds and outbuildings are governed by an entirely different set of 'rules' (Class E of Part 1, Schedule 2 of the above Order) so the 2m restriction doesn't apply to them. The height restriction for outbuildings is 4m if it has a ridged roof and 3m in any other case.

Thirdly, it is a permanent structure - the number of times I've heard that argument from people who put sheds etc up! lol Unless of course you only intend to have it in place for a maximum of 28 days in any one calendar year (that's the definition of non-permanent in planning legislation!).

spookylukey wrote: »

there is room for very slightly different interpretations of the regulations

Very true in some cases, although the limits for permitted development in this case are very clear-cut and easy to interpret, so not sure who's told you all that, because I can assure you (in the nicest possible way!) that it's not true. The regulations with 'means of enclosure' are quite simple: under 2m = permitted development; over 2m = not permitted development.

spookylukey wrote: »

As I said I did ask my neighbours before hand, I took round photos of what it would look like and none of them were in the slightest bit bothered by it. I think most people would rather other people's cats couldn't get into their gardens to poo in their flowerbeds or kill birds etc that they might have encouraged into their gardens by feeding.

Again, very true - anyway, your Council's enforcement section would only get to hear about it if someone complained, which seems unlikely in your case as you've done the best thing and involved your neighbours from the outset.