How could one build an open-air cat enclosure?

Suppose you wanted to build an outdoor enclosure for domestic cats. The rules are that it has to be roofless and the walls can’t be opaque. Cats must be unable to enter or leave it but must not be hurt if they try.

The simplest solution I can think of is high, straight walls with big windows. But a fence of tall vertical poles, very close together and with no crossbar connecting them, might also work, especially if you put a moat at the base of it.

Obviously you’d have to be careful not to let any trees grow too near the walls.

Any other ideas?

Chain link fencing, with inward facing panels at the top.

The inward facing panels are made of plexiglass or otherwise smooth, unclimbable materials.

Vertical transparent glass or plastic walls, the kind of stuff that large aquariums are made of. Curve the walls in at the top. I understand that acrylic tubes of quite large diameter are available; you could just cut the tube to whatever length you wanted, and stand it vertically.

why no roof?

they sell cat runs that are basically steel hoops you poke into the ground with netting strung around them that you can chain together end to end.

http://store.lionscopetproducts.com/servlet/-strse-Cat-Outdoor-Containment/Categories?gclid=CNmrhMP_nZgCFRIcawodpljYmg

theres a couple links

Well, I was thinking that it’s not really outdoors if it has a roof. But I hadn’t considered the possibility of a roof of mesh or netting, like an aviary.

Another thing I had in mind was making sure it didn’t look awful from the outside.

ah, well the second link (I think) has a ton of ideas to check out.

Install a chain link fence with coyote rollers on top.

Wow! That’s clever!

Cats can get through chain-link, and the coyote rollers also look like something cats could defeat.

Chicken wire is great for cats, not very attractive to neighbors. Our 2nd shelter has an outdoor chicken-wire enclosure with a cat flap in the french doors - it encloses the entire 2nd floor patio (at least 20’x20’) and no escapees.

If you’re set on DIY instead of purchasing an enclosure made for cats: Heavy-duty nylon or wire mesh screening material might look more attractive to neighbors. Like an enclosed porch.

No roof? Well, no solid roof, maybe, but it still has to have at least chicken wire or the cats will climb right out!

How?

How?

From the pics of the coyote rollers, there’s lots of space between them and the chain-link. They way they look like they need to be mounted, there’s too much space, plus cats can “hug” things they’re trying to grab or climb, not quite ad dexterously as a raccoon, but close. I wouldn’t risk it.

Chain-link tends to have space underneath and on top of the framing. Maybe there’s smaller stuff out there, but the standard chain-link I’m thinking of (that I’ve ever seen) is big enough for a cat to get it’s head through. Unless it’s a terribly fat cat; if cats can get their head through it, they can get the rest of their body through, too.

I’ve never seen anyone use chain-link to enclose a cat. It doesn’t work if they really want to explore what’s on the other side.

I believe Gus on here has some experience with this.

I’ve seen a raccoon go up one side of a chin-link fence and down the other. I would not be surprised to find that cats can do similar.

Yeah, I had pretty much ruled out chain link fences as too climbable. The coyote roller might work; I’d have to see it in action.

I don’t want to have to register to find out how much that Coyote Roller stuff costs…does anyone know?

Geez! This one is an out and out kitty amusement park. (then again, my parents spent $3,000 on *one *sick kitty, so…mmmbrlgmf.)

My great aunt aunt (a certified crazy cat lady) had one that was just a big chain-link box. The bottom of the fence was buried in the ground and there was a chain link roof. It even had a shortish tree in it.