A Kitty Proof Outdoor Pen

If you’ve been following my blogs, you’ll know that we recently returned “home” to Oklahoma, bringing my youngest daughter’s cat, Crissy. My dad is of the opinion that all animals belong outside, but we managed to get permission to keep her in our room. It’s not a very large room and we knew Her Royal Highness, Miss Crissy was not going to like having her exploring of the house curtailed. She has always been an inside cat except for a few outside excursions with my daughter standing over her like an overprotective parent.

The idea came up that perhaps we could devise a pen for outside use that would give her a little more room for exercise, but keep her safe from coyotes, fox, raccoons or other critters found in this area. My youngest sister, Sarah, ever the resourceful one, drew up a plan, gathered the materials, and once we had arrived; she and my daughter got to work building. It took three days to complete since my sister is disabled and tires very easily.

The entire pen is attached to the side of the house over a window. A small hole was cut into the screen to let Crissy come and go as she pleases during nice weather. In inclement weather she’ll be contained indoors. The pen is 6’ X 6’ at the base, and is 8’ tall. There are two shelves, one spaced right below the window and the other about one foot from the top. Both shelves have a small amount of carpeting for nail sharpening and lounging. We found a nice sized branch that goes from ground to slightly above the lower shelf for climbing, and a scratching post braces the bottom shelf. The enclosure has wire around all four sides and over the top,  with an additional OSB roof in case Her Highness does get caught outdoors in a sudden rain storm; something that has been known to happen.

We weren’t sure if the whole idea was going to be for naught when we placed her in it the first time. She stood and mewled in such a pitiful way; a few minutes later found her on the upper shelf observing her domain and acting much the queen she believes herself to be. All things considered, I believe the pen to be a success and a great way to solve our problem.