@@Hervinbalfour Riley lasted 20 years. We loved her terribly. You certainly know how hard it is to lose such a friend. Thank you for your kind words Hervin!
Thank you for your kind message Linda! I get lots of people who think that my cats should not be in "cages". I understand that. I had outdoor cats for years. But I lost a few cats that way. I'd never do it again. Too much danger nowadays. I live in a big city on a main arterial. Lots of cars. Despite that we have coyotes running around. And then there is disease. And of course the issue of outdoor cats killing wild birds. Very bad. So the people who don't like the catio idea just don't understand those dangers I guess. But I do. Take care Dan
@@Gourmetpapermache Im going to enclose the deck on the back of the house for ours this summer. They are about 4 and a 1/2 and will love it. Only 2 out of the 5 really want to go out but given the chance Im sure all of them will eventually lounge outside for a bit. I live fairly close to busy roads and I also don't trust people not to swoop up one of them if I let them roam. Never liked the free roam thing anyways but I desperately want them to be able to enjoy sunshine and the breeze and all the perks of outside without the dangers of free roaming. You gave me some good ideas to try with this. I may make a little extension part leading out to the yard like yours. Good job and your cats are lucky to have someone who loves them like you obviously do. They are our furry kids!
You can teach yourself to do it by watching UA-cam videos on how to build one. I’m gonna do the same for my Bengal soon and will be making a video of how I built it 😊
This has got to be the coolest cat playground that I ever seen. What fortunate cats. The details in this are incredible. Everything is clean, neat and no splinters. So professionally done. Oh great, I caught my cat texting, she wants to move in with your cats now. 🐈 Bye Kitty
Nobenstein: not sure where you live but my cat would be dead by now if I didn't keep her inside all the time. Too many wild animals that would live to eat her as food. This guy is keeping the cats safe which I am all for. What is better ? 1) cat that lives outside but dead in a few years 2) cat being loved and treated like gold for 18 years? I think the cat would prefer to be loved and stay alive.
I couldn't agree more. I've never made a video that long. It goes against all UA-cam video sensibilities. Most people will only watch 30 seconds of a video. So you are definitely a cat person! Join the club. My neighbors have dubbed me the "crazy old cat man."
You are very sweet Liz. Thanks for the note. Little Riley passed away two weeks ago. She was 19 years old and had a great life. She spent much of her day outside last summer. It was worth all the effort and money just for that. Thank you. Dan
GOURMETPAPERMACHE~~~~~Sorry to hear about Riley's passing...so glad he got to have all that Amazing Intrigue Outside and napping in Nature!!! ✨✨✨✨✨TAKE CARE!✨✨✨✨✨✨
Wow! -They can go all around the house! -They can play chase with each other in the fresh air- -and be safe. -They can stalk birds and critters without getting into trouble.- They can lay in the sun and listen to and see and watch everything. Poor Max! Sensory overload at first. It's good to see him exploring and enjoying himself at last. What a beautiful yard! -What a wonderful construction you made for your cats in it! Lots of space for everybody
Thank you Sue. I really appreciate the kind words. It's funny, I still get lots of comments about how my cats are "in prison" . I'm pretty sure my cats don't think like that. They seem very happy with their situation. I should mention that despite how it looks from my back yard I live on a very busy arterial in a big city. It is just not safe to let cats wonder in such a place. Catios are a very nice alternative to free roaming I think. Take care
@@Gourmetpapermache It's easy to criticize someone far away from you, without knowing all the factors that go into your decisions. I think you've done your dear cats a lovely favor. They can explore and enjoy and be safe all at once. One of my mother's cats, a tuxedo-smooth-hair, was rescued as a 5-month-old kitten in late December, here in Wyoming, USA, where it gets pretty cold. He had been somebody's kitty, but had gotten lost or turned out and had been fending for himself by hunting and mooching off people whenever he could. But he wasn't feral at all. (He was so small, we thought he was two months old, the vet set his age later. He had a bad case of worms.) Fast forward 8 months, he was beautiful, friendly and healthy... and unhappy being kept inside because of his life experiences. So, against moms preferences, he went out and hunted the neighborhood and still (unfortunately) accepted hand-outs. He's been poisoned twice now. The second time they had carefully cut raw meat and given it to him (he threw it up and it was clear that a person had prepared it for him, or whichever animal they could get). This time he nearly died and the cascade of illnesses that the poisoning triggered was horrifying. Regardless of his preferences for wandering- because someone is so cruel and vicious- he can no longer go out. It is sad and the transition has been very difficult as it has had to occur over the summertime when the weather has been so fine. Your construction is inspiring. And although I don't have the means nor ability to do what you've done, I will endeavor to close in a porch for him, so that he can get fresh air and sunshine on something closer to his terms. Thank you so much for sharing.
@@suet.r.4815 People who help animals in need are saints to me. And the person who decides to poison innocent animals are monsters. I should mention that I have a couple of much smaller enclosures. I put a wire dog kennel on a simple wooden pedestal outside of a couple of window. I cut holes in the side of the kennel and attached them to the house with clamps so that when I open the window they can go out. They love those spaces as much as the more elaborate catio. It's a place they can go out and watch what's going outside. So just enclosing a small area will go a long way. Good luck to you! Dan
@@Gourmetpapermache It's an awesome construction; definitely a labour of love! Where I live native birds get wiped out by stouts, rats, possums, feral this and that, and domestic cats, yet cats and dogs are awesome. We wouldn't be human without them. Life is about compromise. Love it.
Most drop dead gorgeous catio I've ever seen ... I love the idea of having a space big enough so the owners can also sit & enjoy the outdoors with the cats. Also the idea of a gravel/stone floor is genius ... lessens exposure to tics and fleas. Plus your cats are just beautiful ... I had Abyssinian cats myself for years, they are a wonderful breed.
You are very kind. Yes, you "get" why I used that base. No fleas, no mowing, safe. And the cats love it. The cats are all rejects from one place or another. So odd to me that they weren't wanted. Thank you
you can see the love and thoughtfulness that you put into this catio. I really enjoyed watching the sweeties (that's the name I use when I can't remember kitties name's ) I'd love to have something like this in my backyard, my girls would really enjoy it Thank you for sharing this with us folks that like watching UA-cam 🐈🐱
Thank you for your kind remarks Terri. This was a labor of love. Cat people know why I did it. For what it's worth, they didn't need something this elaborate. I put another, very simple structure outside the window in my studio. Like I did outside my bathroom in this video, I bought a wire dog cage and put it on a simple wooden pedestal. Then I cut a hole in the side with wire cutters and put it up against the window. So I can just open the window (and close it in the winter) and they can just sit outside. Eddie in particular just loves that spot, more than the more complex set up in the back of the house (the Max really loves). So consider something simple like that. Just being outside a little goes a long way. Take care to you and your kitties. Dan
Hey, this project is just SO amazing. I have a young bengal right now and something like this would be so perfect for him. He just loves looking outside and even going outside on his lead. One day, when I have my own house to work on, I'm 100% doing this :) just curious, how long did it take you? And around how much did you spend to complete it? Thanks so much! You've got two REALLY lucky kitties ;)
Thank you Miko. This took a couple months to build. It is pretty elaborate. I didn't keep track of how much it cost total. I have an information sheet that shows the materials I used along with the prices of the materials if you are interested. I just need an email address to send them to you. You can contact me at dan@gourmetpapermache.com.
Hey- Im still in so much awe that you built this for your cats. I wish all cat owners cared this much. Anyways, I sent you an email and would love to see an estimate of how much material you used. Im serious about building my own one day :D
I love this soo much. We are renting so we are building a smaller one right now, but when we buy our house our 3 babies are getting one like this!!! Great cat parents and your babies are super cute ❤❤❤. RIP Riley😥 they give us so much love and happiness....and only break our hearts once.
Very well put about Riley. I have always said that the true price of having a pet is having to lose it. I really miss them all. Good for you making something for your kids! You don't need something really big and elaborate. I have two smaller enclosures as well and my cats love them! Good luck!
Watching other videos just upset me. They don't put themselves in there cats place. BUT YOU, You truly love your cats!!] You are almost an artist for building such a beautiful pet Garden. Very lucky cats, wish there were more people in the world like you. Someone just dumped off a couple week old kitten buy a secluded construction site I was working at. I don't know how people can live with themselves that do stuff like that why cant they bring it to a rescue or shelter or somewhere where there's houses at least. Beyond awesome job of designing this!!! Oh P.S. I now have a kitten living with me, yeah we're keeping her.
Hello Gary. I somehow missed this comment. Sorry about that. Thanks for your kind remarks. I also don't understand the cruelty displayed toward animals. It says a lot about a person that could dump a kitten at a construction site. You are the real hero here. Thank you for rescuing that little soul. Dan
garyjames2465 Just an FYI, I am a court employee who has sat in on many, many cruelty cases. They are in the process of creating an interstate cruelty database (not sure if it's up and running yet) so people who abuse animals are unable to continue adopting and victi izing animals. Which is why it's important to report any neglect or abuse suspected. Also, if you find a cat you believe has been dumped, take it to a vet's office and they can scan it to see if it has a chip. This way, if it was adopted and that person dumped it they can be reported! Otherwise they can go and adopt again and again without anything or anyone to stop them. That is the purpose of the cruelty database. And of course you can support all legislation calling for stiffer penalties for animal abusers. As it is now alnost anything somebody does to an animal is just a misdemeanor, meaning if someone abandons a cat in a locked apartment and the cat starves to death, it's just a fine. People need to throe support behind laws which make killing or hurting animals felonies. If they will harm an animal, the natural progression is to harm humans. Every serial killer started with animals! #Fact
GourmetPaperMache I live in S. Florida and something many people don't think about is Hawks. They get hungry, too! And a small adult cat is just the perfect meal. So yes, your cat might come back, but nobody I know could live with the thought that they put their pet into mortal danger. In fact, outdoor cats are illegal in my county...unless they are catch and release, ear-tipped, fixed ferals. We have volunteers who trap our strays and if they are found to be socialized, they get re-homed. If they are unsocial they get shots, heartworm preventative (mosquitoes cause heartworm) and they get fixed and returned to their neighborhood. Volunteers go around once per week and put out food and the other days the cats hunt for lizards and rats to survive.
I used to have large enclosed areas that my late cats had continuous access to, but nothing as extensive and varied as this. They loved the illusion of freedom, and I was happy that it seemed to give them lifelong contentment. Very nice enclosure... you have happy cats!
Thank you Terry. I have a number of people who argue that these are elaborate cages. A sillly notion if you watch the cats. They love running on the ramps and they enjoy the security afforded by the screens. We have raccoons and many squirrels and birds. The cats love watching them safely. And I have one cat who just prefers to be indoors. Bottom line is, the cats don't analyze their situation. I can tell that they are very happy and I know they are safe in this very busy city. Sounds like your cats had a great life. Take care
@@Gourmetpapermache yea the lifespan of a cat that spends most time outside is dramatically less than one who is an indoor or controlled outdoor environment kitty. There are all kinds of horrible thinga that happen to cats when they are aloud to roam free 24/7. When my girlfriend lived in Indiana she had a neighbor who had a "cat trap" if you can believe such a thing. He killed her cats....just cant prove it. Makes me think about doing something to him that is pretty out of character for me ro even think about doing. People who harm animals are the lowest kind of scum who deserve a dose of what they give out.
@@jedimindtrix2142 I couldn't agree more about your assessment of that neighbor and people who hurt animals. If I had a neighbor who killed my cat....well, he would understand the meaning of karma. It would become my life's work to make that happen. Thanks for the remarks.
Gorgeous kitties! This is the best video I've seen in a long time. Saving to show all friends with cats and as an example for when I again have the joy of a cat companion. Your kitties are safe, as well as the birds and other small beings. Love this! Thank you for sharing. Wonderful to see people who care so well for their animal friends/family. ❤
Thank you for the very nice comment! You are very nice to take the time to write! Yes, I think for cats in the big city, this is a very good way to go. Take care
Thank you very much Jess! You are sweet, like Riley. They all really love going outside. I spend lots of time out there with them. Sometimes I have to carry Riley back to the house. It's a long way from the house to the "cat house" in the back yard so she gets tired if she walks that far. But I don't mind. Eddie on the other hand just runs and runs and runs. Take care Dan
GourmetPaperMache Daw, that is too cute. :3 I forgot to mention Max! He is a beautiful cat. All of your cats are very gorgeously patterned and have adorable personalities. I find myself coming back to this video several times a day. I'm ridiculous. Lol.
Jess That makes me very happy Jess. They are pretty cats. They were all "rejects" from the cat show world. Max was marbled when people like the spotted Bengals. Riley had an extra toe. And Eddie has something wrong too, but I can't remember what. We just think they have really great personalities. That's all that matters. Thank you so much for your nice comments. Truly. Dan
I got made an outside enclosure.... My cats love it....its 3 meters x 5 partially covered but with grass so they get to eat the grass and hunt insects... They love it and often sleep outside in the sunshine :-)
How can you not love this so much, I enjoyed every second of watching those cats discover the outside for the first time. The enclosure was amazing and this is such a wonderful idea. I have a cat that's blind and this would be such a perfect idea for her to be able to enjoy the outdoors. Thank you so much for sharing this video with everyone. I love cats and this just really was so enjoyable to watch as they explored I was right there on the edge wondering what they were going to do next.... such beautiful kitty's!!!
You are a very nice person. It's always nice to connect with "cat people". Truth is, I enjoy watching cats have fun as much as they do. Thank you for the comment! Made my day. Dan
Well, ty so very much. So nice of you to reply to my post, its nice to know that there are people out there that love cats who will respond back and i hope that you and your kitties are doing well. Happy New Year and God bless you and your amazingly beautiful kitties! Can't wait to see more of them they are simply beautiful.
Your cats are awesome! I am moving to a new place this month and my cat will have a fenced back yard. I was researching the way to keep my cat safe from foxes, coyotes, eagles and occasional wolves, and yet has access to the outdoor life he never had before in his 8 year life. This enclosure is great!
Paganini67 We also had an existing fence. We checked a lot of options, but the most affordable option was Affordable Cat Fence, site is here: www.catfence.com/ I started with a smaller area, but the cats enjoyed it so much that we expanded it to most of our back yard. We designed our own tree block for one tree. My youngest cat tested it to its limit, but was not able to get out. It's important to leave a little slack in the netting because even though cats are great climbers, they don't like getting on things that feel unstable. UA-cam has DIY versions made from PVC pipe that work on the same principle. To the uploader: Great video! Humans don't understand how much being outdoors means to the well-being of our cat friends!
I love this enclosure! It reminds me of one that I got to see while visiting my uncle in the foothills of Monrovia, California. His neighbor had a huge enclosure that was almost like a patio or "catio" for their cats. It had all kinds of clever things like the ramps that you have. Thank you for sharing your ingenuity.
Vielen Dank für den schönen Kommentar. Es war eine Arbeit der Liebe. Ich weiß, dass es nicht so aus meinem Hinterhof aussieht, aber ich liebe in einer großen Stadt auf einer belebten Straße. Es ist kein sicherer Ort für Katzen im Freien. Ein Catio ist ein guter Kompromiss, denke ich. Viel Glück. Dan
@@keepingitreel...8037 not really, if you taking that awesome cage of cat as your decision to be a cat, that a stupiditi 😅. but please don take it serious
Wicked!! I love all the play things for them in the large catio at the end. I thought it would be cool for my (future) house to attach an enclosed cat run to a gazebo, but my issue was that the bugs can be pretty bad where I live. All the gazebos in the region usually have screens to prevent biting bugs from entering, but it would limit the view to enclose the entire cat run in screen instead of just wire. Then I thought: have a cat door between the cat run and the gazebo, so you can spend outdoors with your cat, bug free. Thanks so much for the upload!
Your cats are lucky. Happy they have a chance to see, smell and relax outside. Their live are enriched. Cool that the "cat walk" has an awning to protect them from the rain.
I watched it again, I couldn't resist. Seeing Max, it tugged at my heart and yet the joy of seeing your cat enjoy himself made it worth it. Max & my Toby could have been twins! I love all my animals, but Toby was my little old man. Again, thank you for sharing your beautiful cats, and their great habitat! GOD bless
+Nora Dennis Thank you Nora. It doesn't have to be this elaborate. I have another window just outside my studio with just the wire dog carrier idea outside of it on a pedestal (with a hole cut in the side where the window is). They love just going outside that far and watching the birds. Good luck! Dan
Thank you so much! Yes, our Bengal, Max, is a different cat. He just wasn't getting enough stimulation. He would wait all day for me to play with him with the one toy he liked. Now he goes in and out all day long (and many times at night...I have led lights in the tunnels, but he's a cat and doesn't mind the darkness). He and Eddie watch bugs and squirrels and birds. It is a constant source of interest for them. Dan
I noticed the lights running along the track. That's a great idea. I'm totally inspired. The only enclosure I've seen doesn't connect to the house- The owners have to take the cats out and put them in. It's not the same. This totally frees them up~
VronVirtuoso Yes, I strung little led christmas lights along the tunnels and around the rim of the "cat house" in the back yard. It gives just the right amount of light. It is really nice watching them go in and out of the house. They go out one window and in another, and love to go watch the birds and bees at the fountain. It's great fun. Dan
Seeing your beautiful cats experience their new environment fully is so moving. I adore my cats and built them their own catio on my apartment balcony. It has been transformative! They have a view of the entire city and harbor. They love it and so do I. Your catio is awesome. Thanks so much for sharing.
WOW! This is beautiful and you should be so very proud of yourself. My eyes started stinging holding back from welling up from watching you lovely Cats going out but once your 18 year old came out for the first ever time, all bets were off and cry I did lol. I know why you have not let them out and its because of you being scared of not getting them back or worse and this is the reason I will not let my 2 beautiful girls out. It destroys me when they are sat together just looking outside but I would rather have them being a bit cross with me then have them come to harm as you must feel, me and my Husband have been staying with my Mum but have just got our own place so aftef Xmas when we move I am going to make a fun safe place for them so they can be out late as they want. Thank you for sharing this master piece with us all. Nicola. U.K
Hello Nicola. Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! I'm very flattered. Good luck with your enclosure. It doesn't have to be as obsessive as this. I know many people who have just put a nice dog kennel type enclosure outside a window. Just to be outside is heaven to them. Dan PS. I'm sorry to report that old Riley passed away a week ago. While it was very sad, I'm so happy that she spent her last summer outdoors. Every day she rested in the sun in her favorite spot just outside the window. Take care
GourmetPaperMache Hello Dan, I am really sorry to read your message regarding Riley and to be so close to the holidays as well must be so hard. We lost one of our Sausage Dogs on xmas eve 3 years ago and I still find it hard to cope without her and now both her boys that we still have are now really old and are having trouble. My Mum says its wrong to keep them as they are because of the pain they get in at times but I still see them as babies, so I have that to contend with. I am very sorry once again about your beautiful girl and I will be thinking of you all and hope that you are doing well. Have a very merry christmas, I send all my love and best wishes with this message. Nicola.xxxx
This is Awesome!! I looked for a design that would work for some kitties I needed to foster with about an hours notice to save them from an owner who thoughtlessly put them on craigslist at 9pm Halloween night?!?!?! For Free and wanting them out immediately, preferably that night. ?? I have large high prey dogs, so I needed to keep everybody separate, and I wish i would've seen this because this is hands down the best and clearly the cats love it and I love your cat's what hilarious personalities, I couldn't get over Max and that plant or the Eddie's indecision on the ramp, then Riley stole my heart basking in the sunlight.. How cool you got to see them experience all of this for the first time. Kitty Heaven on Earth :)
Thank you Alicia! I find it hard to believe such people as that guy with the kittens. He has a rock where his heart should be. You on the other hand, you are a saint for taking them! I have to say that you certainly don't need such an extravagant enclosure for the cats to be happy. I have a second very small enclosure outside the window of my studio, just a wire cage they make for dogs attached to the house outside the window. I put it on a simple wood pedestal then cut a hole in the side so that when the window is open they can go out. They love that smaller space. Good luck with all of your wonderful animals.
That's impressive I'm not much for cats at all... BUT I would have enjoyed helping to construct that mega catio. I love the yard and fencing all beautiful works of functional art. What's next if I may ask. Thank you for sharing your talents through this awesome vid. Thank you.
What an amazing dream enclosure! Thank you for loving your kitties so much and taking such good care of them! 😻💞It’s wonderful to see how happy they are. ☺️💓💓💓
You put a lot of thought and time into their space. I had a smile on my face through out the entire video. How cute was max swatting at those leaves and then towards the end swaggering up the ramp as though he was never afraid to go out. Cats are great company. When you want to give them attention they run from you and when you don't want them around, you can't get rid of them.
Thank you very much Susan for the nice note! I couldn't agree more about cats. They are wonderful companions. (Of course I love dogs too. ) Take care Dan
Wow...I was mesmerized watching it...love your musical choices, love those cats, and you've brought Heaven here with your design and all the love that went into it. Gorgeous surroundings, how fortunate and wonderful to share. Just Wow. I love this kind of awareness and creativity.
You definitely put a lot of thought and love into builing this outdoor area for your'cats. My cat Billy loved watching the video with me . Thank you for sharing
It was a labor of love. Thank you for the kind words. Billy, what a great name for a cat! I'm sure he is a wonderful kitty. Give him a pat for me (better yet, a treat).
I dream to have a setup like this one day. Being outside is so enriching for cats but a "catio" is perfect in keeping not only your cats safe outdoors but also keep the outdoors safe from your cats.
Omg, this is YOUR Eddie ?! I saw this video long before I came across your channel...unbelievable. I need this too, so badly. This is freaking awesome 😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻 it was nice to see Eddie being all around and active. The pattern on Max is stunning, and Riley, gorgeous eyes and face. You are so lucky to have, have had, them, and they are certainly very lucky to have you. My cats are my sunshine. However dark it gets, I look at them, play with them and world is fine. 💖💖💖
How funny is that! Funny that you saw this video earlier. Yes, this is my dear Eddie and Max and Riley, all now gone. But not forgotten. Thanks again for the nice remarks.
@@Gourmetpapermache Dan, could I still buy your book bundle, but with a personal very short message ? And how do I go about it ? How can I pay you ? PayPal or another way ? Thank you 🙏🙏🙏
@@Isnogud67 If you want to buy any of my books you can go to my website here, gourmetpapermache.com/about-my-books/. It will take to to Paypal for payment (although you don't have to be a member. You can also buy them on Amazon. You can use a credit card there as well. ) Anything purchased on my site gets a personal message. I'm very flattered.
This is great! I want a backyard like this when I get a house. I'm sure you worked hard to make it. I don't have cats anymore, but I have ferrets and I would love to make a place like this for them. Thanks for sharing. You are so creative! I also just watched your zombie dragon and it looks amazing with so many details like decomposing skin, exposed muscles and bones. I can't wait to see what you upload next!
You are always really supportive. I really appreciate it. This was a labor of love. I enjoy watching them go outside as much as they do. Hope all is well. Dan
Cali and Wiggles putting some carpet down in places for them to scratch and knead can be a good idea. I put down a cheap rug in my lounge near the couch to have them use their claws on instead of my couch.
@jus wuzz: does that actually work for you? lol --I now have two very strong boys whose nails are like talons and I'm often punctured. When THEY scratch their bodies seem to elongate so they're 3 times their normal height! I've tried just about everything - but still, the back of one of my dining room chairs (now covered with several layers of whatever I could come up with) is their 'choice'! They have a tall, carpet covered cat tree they love and will use, along with a fairly new 48" tall round and very sturdy thick, rope covered scratch post with a solid base the smallest cat will climb as a 'perch' they love to scratch on --and THEN go back to the chair. ??? They even use the wood frame of the bathroom door when that enters their heads. I've thought of trying to come up with a real tree branch to somehow install by the Bay window -but hubby's not overly fond of the idea. I'm the 'cat lady', he's the long-suffering cat-tolerant person. ;)
ElizabethGS it did work but now..alas, they've buggered the back of the couch. I still recommend offering different places/textures, it limits the wanton destruction!
I am baffled at 163 numbnutzes who thumbs down this amazing video. This keeps domesticated cats safe, the birds safe, and it enriches their lives. Amazing!
An affront to Nature and Providence. You (and your cats) would do well if you installed cat doors and removed those cages to restore to your cats their God-given freedom….
Thank you very much! I do have a "fact sheet" showing the basic process and materials if you are interested. Just email me at dan@gourmetpapermache.com if you are interested. Good luck!
That is so very nice of you to say Thaddeus! I am just happy to have a safe place for my little "kids". Despite how it looks from my back yard I live on a very busy arterial in a big city. It is not safe for cats to roam free in my neighborhood. Take care
Maybe they are from people who think it’s inhumane to keep cats locked inside or in cages their whole lives. This guy could have saved himself a ton of work by just opening his front door. These cats do not live in the “big city”.
@@sleeknub Yeah, you are kind of right. But you have to take into consideration protection of wild life and the health of the pets and the family. Purrfect solution here I´d say.
@@Whiteiris999 It´s an absurd comparison. This is a pet, not a wild animal. I live in a condominium and my cats have the freedom to wander, they never really go much further 2 houses away from mine and stay in the back yard for most of the time. So, what´s the point in letting cats go out and hunt birds? (I only let mine go under supervision and never overnight, and again only because I know they won´t go hunting or bother the neighbors. )
Fabulous! Absolutely fabulous. How kind, generous, and loving of you to build this amazing Catio in order to keep your cats from being hurt or killed! My three rescues are watching too and just asked me, "Hey Mom! When are you going to build us an amazing Catio like Max, Eddie, and Riley have?"
You must be a cat lover. Thank you very much for the kind words Astute Bellas. You you are my hero for adopting rescue cats! It makes me happy to know they are loved. Take care
How I wish I'd known about things like this 25 years ago when I had 18 rescue cats in a makeshift enclosed yard that I constructed myself out of chainlink fencing and chickenwire. It was ugly, but it kept them safe and relatively content until the last one passed away before the pandemic, whereupon a friend dismantled the cat pen for use as a chicken coop. Beautiful job, Dan. Thank you for sharing, as well as for caring so much about your beautiful cats' welfare.
Hello Deborah. What a nice note! You are my hero for taking in those cats and then keeping them safe before it was fashionable! I'm sure it was hard when the last one died. This video was made a few years ago and all three of the precious cats in this video are also gone. I miss them terribly. But that's the real price you pay with pets. It's not the cost of the food or the vet bills or the hassles with various things. We pay when we have to let them go. And it's excruciating. But they are always with me. We have two other cats now and they both love the catio too. Thank you for the wonderful words. You made my night. Take care Dan
GREAT JOB! I hope youve planted some little bushes in there by now to make it fun & more natural for them. Cats need plants to play with & to be able to chase & be stimulated by the little insects that get on & under the plants,
Susie Whitney Hahahahahaha telling a guy who just built this amazing, and as natural as possible enclosure for his kids, on what cats need! There's always one lol
I watched this on 26th June 2023. Amazing. What a beautiful enclosure your cats have. Riley was 18 when this was filmed, so long gone by now, I'm sure. She was very pretty. Your cats were/are very fortunate to have you caring for them.
Thank you very much for the nice remarks. Yes, all three of these cats are gone. I miss them terribly. But we still have two other cats and they love the catio (which has expanded since the video was made). Riley was very pretty as was Eddie and Max. I feel like adding that we got all three for free. They were "rejects" from the cat-show world which we were never involved with. They each had defects from a show world perspective. But we didn't care about any of that. They had wonderful personalities which is the only thing that mattered to us. Take care. Dan
@@GourmetPaperMache_ Ah, sorry to hear Eddie and Max have gone too. They break your heart don't they. I've lost a cat every year for the last three years. Even when cats leave us after a very long life, they're never with us long enough. Their lives fly by in an instant it seems. One of my cats, Ruby, comes to me in my dreams, but her mother, Grace, has managed to almost fully materialise. We see the top half of her with her tail upright and she is no longer crippled with arthritis and suffering the effects of stroke. She appears as a young cat. Our remaining cat sees her too. Our beloved pets never truly leave us. I'm sure Riley, Eddie and Max are around you too. Maybe you will glimpse them one day, if you haven't already. You take care too. Andy, UK.
@@kernow9324 What a very nice reply Andy! It is very much appreciated! I couldn't have described how I feel about my cats leaving me any better than you did. I have had many cats over my lifetime. I still love them all. Eddie (in this video) was the most aligned with me. He was my constant companion. He slept curled up on my chest every night. While every cat is special, some are just a little more so. Surely Grace is one of those. Yes, there are times when they do seem to be there again. How wonderful to see your sweet kitty even if for just a moment.! Take care of yourself and your furry friends! Dan
This is literally what I have DREAMED about wanting to make or have someone help me make for may cats! Thank you! I will try to see if I have the right tools for it, if not I'll find someone who could help me:)
Thank you Kelly! I do think that these catios are a great way to protect cats. Despite how it looks from my back yard I live in a big city on a busy arterial. It's a dangerous place for cats for lots of reasons. But my cats love going out and enjoying the outdoors day and night. I'd be happy to send you my "fact sheet" if you think it might help in your design. Just send me an email at dan@gourmetpapermache.com if you are interested. (Please note that I am not endorsing any particular brands or products. Just sharing what I used.) In any case good luck to you! Dan
Thank you Kim! Yes they are Abyssinian. They were both "rejects" from their litters. Don't know why. Doesn't matter. Did you know that Abyssinian cats are the most prevalent house cat on the planet? Just not so much in the US. That's what I read anyway. Dan
GourmetPaperMache I guess it's because they both have too much pale fur on their faces and throats to be show standard. Doesn't make them less lovely as cats though. Everyone who sees pix of my Birman loves him but I ( jokingly) call him my factory reject because his white markings are wrong for a show cat. It also meant I got him at nine months old as 'reduced to clear'. His breeders were sorry to see him go, but had to reduce numbers.
I watched, entranced, thru the entire video. The way you put it together was really excellent, or maybe I'm just a certifiable cat woman because your felines are very engaging. All are beautiful, too. I love the markings on your American Tabby, Max. I've had two live to 18 and 19! Hoping your pride lives long, and certainly it will be well. But you know, it's just got to be hard to be so close yet so far away from their "fun" with flora and fauna ;-) I read yesterday that cats still retain many of the same genes their wild cousins have; they are only semi-domesticated. Mine certainly are still wild thangs. And on another subject, your artwork with Paper Mache is fantastic! It is what drew me to your channel here on UA-cam from a video circulating on FB. Just sayin'.
Beautiful Cats and great job-- I have lost three cats -- all who were outdoor cats to start with two to coyote and 1 to an idiot neighbour who thought he was a football...this is an excellent solution. As a residential building designer -- this is AWESOME. BTW -- what kind of cats -- they're gorgeous..ST
Thank you Scott! I'm very flattered. That was a labor of love. I'm sad to report that the oldest cat in the video, Riley, died two weeks ago. I'm so happy that she had the summer to enjoy the outdoors. She had a spot right outside the bathroom window where she was stay all day long. She ended up living 19 years, a good run. She and Eddie are Abyssinian. Smart and really friendly. I've read that they are actually to most prevalent house cat in the world (although they aren't that plentiful in the US). The other one, Max, is a Bengal. He's a really sweet cat. We got all three for nothing because they were rejects from the cat show circuit. They had some kind of flaw that we never quite figured out. Well, and we didn't really care about showing. We just liked their personalities. Thanks again for the nice note. Happy holidays! Dan
I thought I saw abyssinians! Used to have a few myself. Like yours, they were smart and friendly (though so were almost all of my rescued shorthairs). My first aby, a male, had a trait I have seldom seen in a cat: He recognized a poster on the wall as being a cat and reacted to it as if it might be alive. He had an even stronger reaction to one of those cat wall clocks with rolling eyes and a tail that moves in rhythm to the ticks. Most of my cats have simply ignored even large photos on the wall and none of my other three cats at the time gave more than a glance at said clock. The aby in question also seemed to think that a 10" doll on the sofa beside me was alive, and when I raised its arm from behind as if to wave to him, he jumped backward in fright as if it had been about to throw something at him. I love, love, love the catio. It is the best one I've ever seen. I'm going to be watching the video over and over.
I know that you've created this to enhance the lives of your cats, which is fantastic, but I love the enclosure because it protects the wildlife that frequents your back yard. I rehab baby squirrels that are injured or abandoned, so when I saw the squirrel on the fenceline & knew it was protected from the cats, it made me so happy. In an urban setting cats that are allowed to roam outdoors kill so many wild birds and squirrels, so it's great to see this solution that gives the cats fresh air & exercise but also protects the wildlife. GREAT JOB!!!
Thank you very much Johnny! I couldn't agree with you more. That is one of the biggest reasons to have a catio for a cat! I love the creatures that share my yard. I make sure they have food and water when it snows in the winter or gets too hot in the summer. I never put any chemicals in my fountain and flush it with fresh water every day so that the birds can drink and take baths (which is a great show for the cats!). The squirrels are very friendly with my cats and know them. And we have a little band of three raccoons that wanders through every so often. Even though they are cute, they can really hurt a cat or dog if cornered. One of my cats loves to watch them, but once again, it is safe for both. Domestic cats kill many wild birds each year. It is a tragedy. It's nice that you appreciate that part of this. Take care Dan
If you are interested I have a "fact sheet" that describes in a general way how I made this along with a list of what I bought and where I got them. If this is something you would like just send me a note at dan@gourmetpapermache.com. (I am not endorsing any particular store. This is not an ad. Just trying to help spread the word about catios.) Take care
@@trevorgibson9525 Why are you watching these videos? I don't like to fish, so I don't watch fishing videos. You obviously don't live in a big city. You can't even adopt a cat from a shelter here without signing a contract that says you won't let the cat roam free. That is to prevent death by cars and illness like feline leukemia, and even coyotes that have been seen in my area.
@@charkhin This took a couple of months. But much of my catio is up in the air against the house requiring ladders. It all depends upon your circumstances and how elaborate you get. I should mention that I have a couple of much smaller catios, just dog kennels connected to the house outside windows. No ramps or tunnels. The cats love those just as much. They get to sit outside.
Wow this is an amazing outdoor playground/ catwalk for your adorable kitties... they can enjoy the outdoors and smell fresh air, and still be protected... lucky cats!
Thank you Janice! Yes, despite how it looks in the video (the back yard) we live on a busy arterial in a big city. These catios really are a good thing for cats. Take care Dan
I enjoyed every minute of it and could have watched more. My last kitty was a brown tabby. We miss her still and it's been a couple years now since she passed. I love your outdoor cat enclosure. Pretty neat...hugs from Arizona...:)
Thank you Cheryl. I really appreciate the kind remarks. Take care PS. This video is a few years old. These cats are no longer here. And I miss them terribly. I understand your pain. I have new cats that I love too, but I will always miss these little ones, especially Eddie.
To think there are people like you on earth who are kind and caring about their animals and are able to make such a beautiful "escape" for them that is safe. Gorgeous
Thank you for the nice note alene! You are obviously a cat (animal) lover. Because you are you understand that I get much more from my little friends than they get from me. Take care Dan
Our old girl was 23 when she passed, our old boy is 18, he doesn't like out any more, he's so scared, then we have a 12, 10 & 1. The 1 yr old Ragdoll doesn't get out on her own , but love to go for walks on her lead. I'd love to build something , this is just awesome
Delightful. As an person being kept by two cats, I believe there isn't a cat anywhere who wouldn't appreciate this little catdom made by their person. Video is quite good as well. Most entertaining 🐺🐱🐈🐹🙄
your devotion to your kitties makes my heart sing. they are very very happy kitties will get the benefit of the sun and fresh air for beautiful health. i have no doubt you will bring them in if it becomes to cold . a wonderful design with so much opportunity to explore and play. i hate to see any animal in a cage. this is not a cage but a very secure design with tons of love and thought put into it. bravo from one cat lover to another.
Thank you so much for the kind remarks Catherine! It's always nice to hear from another cat lover! Despite how it looks from my back yard I live on a busy arterial in a big city. These catios are really a great way for them to get outside. I know my animals. I know that they don't think of these as cages. In fact, I think they seem very secure in their tunnels when the raccoons and big crows etc come by. They are very happy. And they are free to come and go as they please. There are cat doors at all the entry spots so they go in and out as they see fit. I hear them going outside in the middle of the night. Take care Dan
you do know your animals and no they would not think of these as cages which is one of many things i find so wonderful about their area. this is truly the best of both worlds for them and it is so clear how happy they are. you are a wonderful pet parent and truly understand how happy it makes them to be free to be so stimulated by nature in a very controlled environment.you and your fur babies are very blessed.@@Gourmetpapermache
I love the way Riley bravely adventures out when she hasn't been out in 18 years. What a trooper!!
I agree. She was such a sweet cat. Than you!
@@Gourmetpapermache how long did Riley live to be? 18 years is awesome. My last two babies both passed @ 17 and 21. So 18 years is amazing to me!
@@Hervinbalfour Riley lasted 20 years. We loved her terribly. You certainly know how hard it is to lose such a friend. Thank you for your kind words Hervin!
@@Gourmetpapermache Oh no! I hate that word! "Was" is a terrible word. I hope she is in heaven and she died peacefully.
@@jilldruckman8698 It was. Thank you Jill. I've always said that losing a pet is the real price we pay for having them. It is always terribly hard.
How could anyone give this thumbs down they are just jealous of your beautiful work . It is OUTSTANDING!
Happy Happy Cats
Thank you for your kind message Linda! I get lots of people who think that my cats should not be in "cages". I understand that. I had outdoor cats for years. But I lost a few cats that way. I'd never do it again. Too much danger nowadays. I live in a big city on a main arterial. Lots of cars. Despite that we have coyotes running around. And then there is disease. And of course the issue of outdoor cats killing wild birds. Very bad. So the people who don't like the catio idea just don't understand those dangers I guess. But I do. Take care
Dan
I'm tearing up, this makes me so happy. I would do something like this for my cats in a heartbeat if I had the ability and/or money.
Thank you Bethany. These catios are very nice. But love is what animals really need and want. I'm sure that you give lots of that to your cats.
@@Gourmetpapermache Im going to enclose the deck on the back of the house for ours this summer. They are about 4 and a 1/2 and will love it. Only 2 out of the 5 really want to go out but given the chance Im sure all of them will eventually lounge outside for a bit. I live fairly close to busy roads and I also don't trust people not to swoop up one of them if I let them roam. Never liked the free roam thing anyways but I desperately want them to be able to enjoy sunshine and the breeze and all the perks of outside without the dangers of free roaming. You gave me some good ideas to try with this. I may make a little extension part leading out to the yard like yours. Good job and your cats are lucky to have someone who loves them like you obviously do. They are our furry kids!
@@jedimindtrix2142 You have the right idea about this. I'm sure you will make a wonderful place for your cats. Good luck to you!
You can teach yourself to do it by watching UA-cam videos on how to build one. I’m gonna do the same for my Bengal soon and will be making a video of how I built it 😊
I have the money i just need someone to build for me lol
This has got to be the coolest cat playground that I ever seen. What fortunate cats. The details in this are incredible. Everything is clean, neat and no splinters. So professionally done. Oh great, I caught my cat texting, she wants to move in with your cats now. 🐈 Bye Kitty
You are too funny! Tell your Kitty she would be welcome! Thank you
my thoughts exactly :)
AMAZING!!!! Where is this cat paradise?? Superbly done!
Thank you Lisa! We live in Seattle on Queen Anne Hill. Nice, peaceful back yard, but busy arterial in the front. Hence the catio. Take care
Nobenstein: not sure where you live but my cat would be dead by now if I didn't keep her inside all the time. Too many wild animals that would live to eat her as food. This guy is keeping the cats safe which I am all for. What is better ? 1) cat that lives outside but dead in a few years 2) cat being loved and treated like gold for 18 years? I think the cat would prefer to be loved and stay alive.
This video is literally just 9:16 min of watching cats being cats... and I sat through the whole thing. I am definitely a cat person, lol.
I couldn't agree more. I've never made a video that long. It goes against all UA-cam video sensibilities. Most people will only watch 30 seconds of a video. So you are definitely a cat person! Join the club. My neighbors have dubbed me the "crazy old cat man."
U would like my videos of my cat than.
Same!! Love seeing them happy and healthy
Same here bro!
WWG1WGA! :)
Same here. I am an avid cat parent and cat watcher. lol
I love it when people love their cats enough to understand they are wild and need to be outside. This was so beautiful
I agree. Too many cats suffer terrible consequences when left on their own in the city. Thank you for your comment KR!
Tears to my eyes too. You're an angel! I wish I had something like this for my 2 kitty's. You should build these for people. For a fee of course.
You are very sweet. I think cat owners are very kind people. All cats really need is lots of love and a lap to sleep on.
This brought tears to my eyes! Especially Riley! Just gorgeous! Well done for investing the time and money into your gorgeous cats.
You are very sweet Liz. Thanks for the note. Little Riley passed away two weeks ago. She was 19 years old and had a great life. She spent much of her day outside last summer. It was worth all the effort and money just for that. Thank you.
Dan
GourmetPaperMache Awe I'm really late in seeing this, but RIP Riley, you were a beautiful baby :)
GourmetPaperMache so sorry! I believe she did have a wonderful long life with you!!
GOURMETPAPERMACHE~~~~~Sorry to hear about Riley's passing...so glad he got to have all that Amazing Intrigue Outside and napping in Nature!!! ✨✨✨✨✨TAKE CARE!✨✨✨✨✨✨
Me, too.
Wow! -They can go all around the house! -They can play chase with each other in the fresh air- -and be safe. -They can stalk birds and critters without getting into trouble.-
They can lay in the sun and listen to and see and watch everything.
Poor Max! Sensory overload at first. It's good to see him exploring and enjoying himself at last.
What a beautiful yard! -What a wonderful construction you made for your cats in it! Lots of space for everybody
Thank you Sue. I really appreciate the kind words. It's funny, I still get lots of comments about how my cats are "in prison" . I'm pretty sure my cats don't think like that. They seem very happy with their situation. I should mention that despite how it looks from my back yard I live on a very busy arterial in a big city. It is just not safe to let cats wonder in such a place. Catios are a very nice alternative to free roaming I think. Take care
@@Gourmetpapermache It's easy to criticize someone far away from you, without knowing all the factors that go into your decisions.
I think you've done your dear cats a lovely favor. They can explore and enjoy and be safe all at once.
One of my mother's cats, a tuxedo-smooth-hair, was rescued as a 5-month-old kitten in late December, here in Wyoming, USA, where it gets pretty cold.
He had been somebody's kitty, but had gotten lost or turned out and had been fending for himself by hunting and mooching off people whenever he could. But he wasn't feral at all. (He was so small, we thought he was two months old, the vet set his age later. He had a bad case of worms.)
Fast forward 8 months, he was beautiful, friendly and healthy... and unhappy being kept inside because of his life experiences. So, against moms preferences, he went out and hunted the neighborhood and still (unfortunately) accepted hand-outs.
He's been poisoned twice now. The second time they had carefully cut raw meat and given it to him (he threw it up and it was clear that a person had prepared it for him, or whichever animal they could get). This time he nearly died and the cascade of illnesses that the poisoning triggered was horrifying.
Regardless of his preferences for wandering- because someone is so cruel and vicious- he can no longer go out. It is sad and the transition has been very difficult as it has had to occur over the summertime when the weather has been so fine.
Your construction is inspiring. And although I don't have the means nor ability to do what you've done, I will endeavor to close in a porch for him, so that he can get fresh air and sunshine on something closer to his terms.
Thank you so much for sharing.
@@suet.r.4815 People who help animals in need are saints to me. And the person who decides to poison innocent animals are monsters. I should mention that I have a couple of much smaller enclosures. I put a wire dog kennel on a simple wooden pedestal outside of a couple of window. I cut holes in the side of the kennel and attached them to the house with clamps so that when I open the window they can go out. They love those spaces as much as the more elaborate catio. It's a place they can go out and watch what's going outside. So just enclosing a small area will go a long way. Good luck to you!
Dan
@@Gourmetpapermache Thanks Dan. :)
@@Gourmetpapermache It's an awesome construction; definitely a labour of love! Where I live native birds get wiped out by stouts, rats, possums, feral this and that, and domestic cats, yet cats and dogs are awesome. We wouldn't be human without them. Life is about compromise. Love it.
awesome, you should have a small business installing these, you would be in huge demand!
Thank you. It was a labor of love.
I would definitely hire him!
Now i want one 😂
GourmetPaperMache id hire you
@@Gourmetpapermache The woodwork and details are great. Congrats.
Most drop dead gorgeous catio I've ever seen ... I love the idea of having a space big enough so the owners can also sit & enjoy the outdoors with the cats. Also the idea of a gravel/stone floor is genius ... lessens exposure to tics and fleas. Plus your cats are just beautiful ... I had Abyssinian cats myself for years, they are a wonderful breed.
You are very kind. Yes, you "get" why I used that base. No fleas, no mowing, safe. And the cats love it. The cats are all rejects from one place or another. So odd to me that they weren't wanted. Thank you
Do the cats pee in that? Not saying you’d want them to. If not, do they come inside to use the litter box every time they have to go?
It’s 2023, and it‘s still the best catio I’ve seen so far!
You are very kind. The catio has grown and there are new cats (the ones in this video have since passed on) who enjoy it. Thank you!
you can see the love and thoughtfulness that you put into this catio. I really enjoyed watching the sweeties (that's the name I use when I can't remember kitties name's ) I'd love to have something like this in my backyard, my girls would really enjoy it Thank you for sharing this with us folks that like watching UA-cam 🐈🐱
Thank you for your kind remarks Terri. This was a labor of love. Cat people know why I did it. For what it's worth, they didn't need something this elaborate. I put another, very simple structure outside the window in my studio. Like I did outside my bathroom in this video, I bought a wire dog cage and put it on a simple wooden pedestal. Then I cut a hole in the side with wire cutters and put it up against the window. So I can just open the window (and close it in the winter) and they can just sit outside. Eddie in particular just loves that spot, more than the more complex set up in the back of the house (the Max really loves). So consider something simple like that. Just being outside a little goes a long way.
Take care to you and your kitties.
Dan
Hey, this project is just SO amazing. I have a young bengal right now and something like this would be so perfect for him. He just loves looking outside and even going outside on his lead. One day, when I have my own house to work on, I'm 100% doing this :) just curious, how long did it take you? And around how much did you spend to complete it? Thanks so much! You've got two REALLY lucky kitties ;)
Thank you Miko. This took a couple months to build. It is pretty elaborate. I didn't keep track of how much it cost total. I have an information sheet that shows the materials I used along with the prices of the materials if you are interested. I just need an email address to send them to you. You can contact me at dan@gourmetpapermache.com.
Hey- Im still in so much awe that you built this for your cats. I wish all cat owners cared this much. Anyways, I sent you an email and would love to see an estimate of how much material you used. Im serious about building my own one day :D
Just sent the information. Thanks for the kind words. Good luck to you and your cat!
This is really lovely. When I watched this a smile spread across my face. Those kitties are lucky to have such a home 😸
That is very nice of you to say. It was a labor of love. thank you
I love this soo much. We are renting so we are building a smaller one right now, but when we buy our house our 3 babies are getting one like this!!! Great cat parents and your babies are super cute ❤❤❤. RIP Riley😥 they give us so much love and happiness....and only break our hearts once.
Very well put about Riley. I have always said that the true price of having a pet is having to lose it. I really miss them all. Good for you making something for your kids! You don't need something really big and elaborate. I have two smaller enclosures as well and my cats love them! Good luck!
Watching other videos just upset me. They don't put themselves in there cats place. BUT YOU, You truly love your cats!!] You are almost an artist for building such a beautiful pet Garden. Very lucky cats, wish there were more people in the world like you. Someone just dumped off a couple week old kitten buy a secluded construction site I was working at. I don't know how people can live with themselves that do stuff like that why cant they bring it to a rescue or shelter or somewhere where there's houses at least. Beyond awesome job of designing this!!! Oh P.S. I now have a kitten living with me, yeah we're keeping her.
Hello Gary. I somehow missed this comment. Sorry about that. Thanks for your kind remarks. I also don't understand the cruelty displayed toward animals. It says a lot about a person that could dump a kitten at a construction site. You are the real hero here. Thank you for rescuing that little soul.
Dan
+garyjames2465 ***Almost*** an artist??? This guy is the Da Vinci of outdoor cat enclosures lmao
garyjames2465 Just an FYI, I am a court employee who has sat in on many, many cruelty cases. They are in the process of creating an interstate cruelty database (not sure if it's up and running yet) so people who abuse animals are unable to continue adopting and victi izing animals. Which is why it's important to report any neglect or abuse suspected.
Also, if you find a cat you believe has been dumped, take it to a vet's office and they can scan it to see if it has a chip. This way, if it was adopted and that person dumped it they can be reported! Otherwise they can go and adopt again and again without anything or anyone to stop them. That is the purpose of the cruelty database. And of course you can support all legislation calling for stiffer penalties for animal abusers. As it is now alnost anything somebody does to an animal is just a misdemeanor, meaning if someone abandons a cat in a locked apartment and the cat starves to death, it's just a fine. People need to throe support behind laws which make killing or hurting animals felonies. If they will harm an animal, the natural progression is to harm humans. Every serial killer started with animals! #Fact
Yes, Gary! That's the world we're living in. People are not only dumb, they are also cruel and mindless!
garyjames2465 I
Love it, I have indoor cats and it is my dream to have an outside place for them that is safe!
Thanks Cindy. Yes, this was a game changer for these cats. Good luck to you!
Dan
u can lett them out, theyll come back thats how cats work lol
Unless you live in a big city. Then they get hit by cars, fight with other cats, and pick up deadly diseases. That's why these catios are so popular.
GourmetPaperMache I live in S. Florida and something many people don't think about is Hawks. They get hungry, too! And a small adult cat is just the perfect meal. So yes, your cat might come back, but nobody I know could live with the thought that they put their pet into mortal danger. In fact, outdoor cats are illegal in my county...unless they are catch and release, ear-tipped, fixed ferals. We have volunteers who trap our strays and if they are found to be socialized, they get re-homed. If they are unsocial they get shots, heartworm preventative (mosquitoes cause heartworm) and they get fixed and returned to their neighborhood. Volunteers go around once per week and put out food and the other days the cats hunt for lizards and rats to survive.
All very good information. You do good work! Thanks on behalf of all cat lovers.
Dan
You did an awesome job... the cats are enjoying exploring outside.
Thank you Phyllis! It was a labor of love.
I had to shield my cat from seeing this, he might run away to come live you 🤣
You are too funny Chelsee! You are very kind. Thank you for the nice remarks. Give your cat a hug for me (or a treat).
Lol😂. Mine too!
Bree! You beat me too it! You said EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING!
Excellent catspace ! You have really gone all out to make a safe, interesting , educational hangout for your kitty kids. Way to go !
Thank you Janet! It was a labor of love. "Cat" people understand. Take care
Dan
This video is somewhere beyond beautiful. Cats being true to their nature. Thanks, I enjoyed watching.
Thank you for the nice remarks! Glad you like the video!
I used to have large enclosed areas that my late cats had continuous access to, but nothing as extensive and varied as this. They loved the illusion of freedom, and I was happy that it seemed to give them lifelong contentment. Very nice enclosure... you have happy cats!
Thank you Terry. I have a number of people who argue that these are elaborate cages. A sillly notion if you watch the cats. They love running on the ramps and they enjoy the security afforded by the screens. We have raccoons and many squirrels and birds. The cats love watching them safely. And I have one cat who just prefers to be indoors. Bottom line is, the cats don't analyze their situation. I can tell that they are very happy and I know they are safe in this very busy city. Sounds like your cats had a great life. Take care
You kept them safe, not prisoners.
@@Gourmetpapermache yea the lifespan of a cat that spends most time outside is dramatically less than one who is an indoor or controlled outdoor environment kitty. There are all kinds of horrible thinga that happen to cats when they are aloud to roam free 24/7. When my girlfriend lived in Indiana she had a neighbor who had a "cat trap" if you can believe such a thing. He killed her cats....just cant prove it. Makes me think about doing something to him that is pretty out of character for me ro even think about doing. People who harm animals are the lowest kind of scum who deserve a dose of what they give out.
@@jedimindtrix2142 I couldn't agree more about your assessment of that neighbor and people who hurt animals. If I had a neighbor who killed my cat....well, he would understand the meaning of karma. It would become my life's work to make that happen. Thanks for the remarks.
@@gregberry1812 Of course. Thank you Greg!
Gorgeous kitties! This is the best video I've seen in a long time. Saving to show all friends with cats and as an example for when I again have the joy of a cat companion. Your kitties are safe, as well as the birds and other small beings. Love this! Thank you for sharing. Wonderful to see people who care so well for their animal friends/family. ❤
Thank you for the very nice comment! You are very nice to take the time to write! Yes, I think for cats in the big city, this is a very good way to go. Take care
My favorite part was Max. When he touched the leaves....I smiled.💜
Thank you for the nice comment! Yes, sweet, timid little Max. He was adorable. I really appreciate the kind words.
Congrats! You have done a fabulous job on the cat enclosure. They LOVE it!
Riley is so sweet. And Eddie makes me laugh. That's an amazing enclosure. Very well done, sir. Thank you for sharing. :)
Thank you very much Jess! You are sweet, like Riley. They all really love going outside. I spend lots of time out there with them. Sometimes I have to carry Riley back to the house. It's a long way from the house to the "cat house" in the back yard so she gets tired if she walks that far. But I don't mind. Eddie on the other hand just runs and runs and runs.
Take care
Dan
GourmetPaperMache Daw, that is too cute. :3 I forgot to mention Max! He is a beautiful cat. All of your cats are very gorgeously patterned and have adorable personalities. I find myself coming back to this video several times a day. I'm ridiculous. Lol.
Jess
That makes me very happy Jess. They are pretty cats. They were all "rejects" from the cat show world. Max was marbled when people like the spotted Bengals. Riley had an extra toe. And Eddie has something wrong too, but I can't remember what. We just think they have really great personalities. That's all that matters. Thank you so much for your nice comments. Truly.
Dan
GourmetPaperMache No, thank you for sharing them and their cuteness, Dan! :)
I got made an outside enclosure.... My cats love it....its 3 meters x 5 partially covered but with grass so they get to eat the grass and hunt insects... They love it and often sleep outside in the sunshine :-)
Excellent! That's a wonderful thing to do for your cats! Take care
How can you not love this so much, I enjoyed every second of watching those cats discover the outside for the first time. The enclosure was amazing and this is such a wonderful idea. I have a cat that's blind and this would be such a perfect idea for her to be able to enjoy the outdoors. Thank you so much for sharing this video with everyone. I love cats and this just really was so enjoyable to watch as they explored I
was right there on the edge wondering what they were going to do next.... such beautiful kitty's!!!
You are a very nice person. It's always nice to connect with "cat people". Truth is, I enjoy watching cats have fun as much as they do. Thank you for the comment! Made my day.
Dan
Well, ty so very much. So nice of you to reply to my post, its nice to know that there are people out there that love cats who will respond back and i hope that you and your kitties are doing well. Happy New Year and God bless you and your amazingly beautiful kitties! Can't wait to see more of them they are simply beautiful.
You have a great 2018!
Your cats are awesome! I am moving to a new place this month and my cat will have a fenced back yard. I was researching the way to keep my cat safe from foxes, coyotes, eagles and occasional wolves, and yet has access to the outdoor life he never had before in his 8 year life. This enclosure is great!
Paganini67
Thank you! Good luck with your new place. I would definitely worry about all of those things.
Dan
Paganini67 We also had an existing fence. We checked a lot of options, but the most affordable option was Affordable Cat Fence, site is here: www.catfence.com/
I started with a smaller area, but the cats enjoyed it so much that we expanded it to most of our back yard. We designed our own tree block for one tree. My youngest cat tested it to its limit, but was not able to get out. It's important to leave a little slack in the netting because even though cats are great climbers, they don't like getting on things that feel unstable. UA-cam has DIY versions made from PVC pipe that work on the same principle.
To the uploader: Great video! Humans don't understand how much being outdoors means to the well-being of our cat friends!
I love this enclosure! It reminds me of one that I got to see while visiting my uncle in the foothills of Monrovia, California. His neighbor had a huge enclosure that was almost like a patio or "catio" for their cats. It had all kinds of clever things like the ramps that you have. Thank you for sharing your ingenuity.
So glad you like the video! Thank you for your nice remarks. I'm very flattered.
This is awesome. A project worthy of Caractacus Potts. Love your cats too... especially Riley, who finally got to go outdoors.
Thank you. I appreciate the kind remarks.
Approximate cost
8:19 - "I'm too sexy for the house, too sexy for the house, too sexy yeah! On the catwalk, on the catwalk!"
You are too funny! Perfect! Thanks for the nice comment!
I have a 17 yr old. Love her more than life.
Genau so etwas würde ich mir auch bauen wollen, wenn ich einen Garten hätte. So toll für die Katzen, super.
Vielen Dank für den schönen Kommentar. Es war eine Arbeit der Liebe. Ich weiß, dass es nicht so aus meinem Hinterhof aussieht, aber ich liebe in einer großen Stadt auf einer belebten Straße. Es ist kein sicherer Ort für Katzen im Freien. Ein Catio ist ein guter Kompromiss, denke ich. Viel Glück.
Dan
MAKES ME WANT TO BE A CAT.
FREEDOM
trust me, you gonna be regret to be born as a cat
@@adidarmsvideos9822 - Why? Were you a cat in a previous life?
@@keepingitreel...8037 not really, if you taking that awesome cage of cat as your decision to be a cat, that a stupiditi 😅. but please don take it serious
For real!! 😸😸😻😻
Wicked!! I love all the play things for them in the large catio at the end. I thought it would be cool for my (future) house to attach an enclosed cat run to a gazebo, but my issue was that the bugs can be pretty bad where I live. All the gazebos in the region usually have screens to prevent biting bugs from entering, but it would limit the view to enclose the entire cat run in screen instead of just wire. Then I thought: have a cat door between the cat run and the gazebo, so you can spend outdoors with your cat, bug free. Thanks so much for the upload!
Ezzie E.
Glad you like this Ezzie. We have cat doors in the windows. They work well. Good luck with your plan!
Take care
Dan
Your cats are lucky. Happy they have a chance to see, smell and relax outside. Their live are enriched. Cool that the "cat walk" has an awning to protect them from the rain.
Thank you very much! Yes, in Seattle it is necessary to have a cover on things. But it is clear so they can see through it.
I watched it again, I couldn't resist. Seeing Max, it tugged at my heart and yet the joy of seeing your cat enjoy himself made it worth it. Max & my Toby could have been twins! I love all my animals, but Toby was my little old man. Again, thank you for sharing your beautiful cats, and their great habitat! GOD bless
Thank you Rita! So glad you enjoyed the video!
What an awesome, fun enclosure, your kitties are very blessed to have you :)
Hello again. Now you have met all of my helpers. I tell them every day how lucky they are! Thank you for your nice comment.
Dan
What a kind and gentle soul - probably a Godly man too.
I just love my cats. That's all. They are my family and very dear to me. Thank you for the nice note!
What a wonderful thing to do for you furbabies. I'd like to do something similar for my three kitties.
+Nora Dennis
Thank you Nora. It doesn't have to be this elaborate. I have another window just outside my studio with just the wire dog carrier idea outside of it on a pedestal (with a hole cut in the side where the window is). They love just going outside that far and watching the birds. Good luck!
Dan
GourmetPaperMache I didn't even think of this, but that's perfect too!
Such happy cats. Beyond lucky! You've done an AMAZING job! They must be on cloud 9 with all the new sights, sounds and smells to deal with!
Thank you so much! Yes, our Bengal, Max, is a different cat. He just wasn't getting enough stimulation. He would wait all day for me to play with him with the one toy he liked. Now he goes in and out all day long (and many times at night...I have led lights in the tunnels, but he's a cat and doesn't mind the darkness). He and Eddie watch bugs and squirrels and birds. It is a constant source of interest for them.
Dan
I noticed the lights running along the track. That's a great idea. I'm totally inspired. The only enclosure I've seen doesn't connect to the house- The owners have to take the cats out and put them in. It's not the same. This totally frees them up~
VronVirtuoso
Yes, I strung little led christmas lights along the tunnels and around the rim of the "cat house" in the back yard. It gives just the right amount of light. It is really nice watching them go in and out of the house. They go out one window and in another, and love to go watch the birds and bees at the fountain. It's great fun.
Dan
Seeing your beautiful cats experience their new environment fully is so moving. I adore my cats and built them their own catio on my apartment balcony. It has been transformative! They have a view of the entire city and harbor. They love it and so do I. Your catio is awesome. Thanks so much for sharing.
Wow, sounds like a great place for your cats! That's too funny about the boyfriend. But that makes you special in my book!
WOW! This is beautiful and you should be so very proud of yourself. My eyes started stinging holding back from welling up from watching you lovely Cats going out but once your 18 year old came out for the first ever time, all bets were off and cry I did lol. I know why you have not let them out and its because of you being scared of not getting them back or worse and this is the reason I will not let my 2 beautiful girls out. It destroys me when they are sat together just looking outside but I would rather have them being a bit cross with me then have them come to harm as you must feel, me and my Husband have been staying with my Mum but have just got our own place so aftef Xmas when we move I am going to make a fun safe place for them so they can be out late as they want. Thank you for sharing this master piece with us all.
Nicola. U.K
Hello Nicola. Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! I'm very flattered. Good luck with your enclosure. It doesn't have to be as obsessive as this. I know many people who have just put a nice dog kennel type enclosure outside a window. Just to be outside is heaven to them.
Dan
PS. I'm sorry to report that old Riley passed away a week ago. While it was very sad, I'm so happy that she spent her last summer outdoors. Every day she rested in the sun in her favorite spot just outside the window. Take care
GourmetPaperMache Hello Dan, I am really sorry to read your message regarding Riley and to be so close to the holidays as well must be so hard. We lost one of our Sausage Dogs on xmas eve 3 years ago and I still find it hard to cope without her and now both her boys that we still have are now really old and are having trouble. My Mum says its wrong to keep them as they are because of the pain they get in at times but I still see them as babies, so I have that to contend with. I am very sorry once again about your beautiful girl and I will be thinking of you all and hope that you are doing well. Have a very merry christmas, I send all my love and best wishes with this message. Nicola.xxxx
Nicola Mckeen
Thank you Nicola. Merry Christmas to you too! Thanks for the thoughts.
I hope you're girls get their Catio. It broke my heart too. So now mine have their Catio. They love it
This is Awesome!! I looked for a design that would work for some kitties I needed to foster with about an hours notice to save them from an owner who thoughtlessly put them on craigslist at 9pm Halloween night?!?!?! For Free and wanting them out immediately, preferably that night. ?? I have large high prey dogs, so I needed to keep everybody separate, and I wish i would've seen this because this is hands down the best and clearly the cats love it and I love your cat's what hilarious personalities, I couldn't get over Max and that plant or the Eddie's indecision on the ramp, then Riley stole my heart basking in the sunlight.. How cool you got to see them experience all of this for the first time. Kitty Heaven on Earth :)
Thank you Alicia! I find it hard to believe such people as that guy with the kittens. He has a rock where his heart should be. You on the other hand, you are a saint for taking them! I have to say that you certainly don't need such an extravagant enclosure for the cats to be happy. I have a second very small enclosure outside the window of my studio, just a wire cage they make for dogs attached to the house outside the window. I put it on a simple wood pedestal then cut a hole in the side so that when the window is open they can go out. They love that smaller space. Good luck with all of your wonderful animals.
Aweswome. That is so fun for watching and yet serene. That hummingbird enjoyed the cats!
Thank you very much Tess!
That's impressive I'm not much for cats at all... BUT I would have enjoyed helping to construct that mega catio. I love the yard and fencing all beautiful works of functional art. What's next if I may ask. Thank you for sharing your talents through this awesome vid. Thank you.
You are very welcome! I do love building. I built my own house (the one in the video) inside and out.
What an amazing dream enclosure! Thank you for loving your kitties so much and taking such good care of them! 😻💞It’s wonderful to see how happy they are. ☺️💓💓💓
Thank you for the nice remarks Erica!
You put a lot of thought and time into their space. I had a smile on my face through out the entire video. How cute was max swatting at those leaves and then towards the end swaggering up the ramp as though he was never afraid to go out. Cats are great company. When you want to give them attention they run from you and when you don't want them around, you can't get rid of them.
Thank you very much Susan for the nice note! I couldn't agree more about cats. They are wonderful companions. (Of course I love dogs too. ) Take care
Dan
Wow...I was mesmerized watching it...love your musical choices, love those cats, and you've brought Heaven here with your design and all the love that went into it. Gorgeous surroundings, how fortunate and wonderful to share. Just Wow. I love this kind of awareness and creativity.
Thank you very much for the nice note! You are very kind.
They get exercise and socializing! Good job.
You definitely put a lot of thought and love into builing this outdoor area for your'cats. My cat Billy loved watching the video with me . Thank you for sharing
It was a labor of love. Thank you for the kind words. Billy, what a great name for a cat! I'm sure he is a wonderful kitty. Give him a pat for me (better yet, a treat).
This is amaizin, please more videos with your cats, greetings from Mexico
+miri_craft
Thank you. I appreciate the nice comment!
I dream to have a setup like this one day. Being outside is so enriching for cats but a "catio" is perfect in keeping not only your cats safe outdoors but also keep the outdoors safe from your cats.
Absolutely. I will be doing this for my Bengal soon too 😊
Omg, this is YOUR Eddie ?! I saw this video long before I came across your channel...unbelievable. I need this too, so badly. This is freaking awesome 😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻 it was nice to see Eddie being all around and active. The pattern on Max is stunning, and Riley, gorgeous eyes and face. You are so lucky to have, have had, them, and they are certainly very lucky to have you. My cats are my sunshine. However dark it gets, I look at them, play with them and world is fine. 💖💖💖
How funny is that! Funny that you saw this video earlier. Yes, this is my dear Eddie and Max and Riley, all now gone. But not forgotten. Thanks again for the nice remarks.
@@Gourmetpapermache Dan, could I still buy your book bundle, but with a personal very short message ? And how do I go about it ? How can I pay you ? PayPal or another way ? Thank you 🙏🙏🙏
@@Isnogud67 If you want to buy any of my books you can go to my website here, gourmetpapermache.com/about-my-books/. It will take to to Paypal for payment (although you don't have to be a member. You can also buy them on Amazon. You can use a credit card there as well. ) Anything purchased on my site gets a personal message. I'm very flattered.
This is great! I want a backyard like this when I get a house. I'm sure you worked hard to make it. I don't have cats anymore, but I have ferrets and I would love to make a place like this for them. Thanks for sharing. You are so creative! I also just watched your zombie dragon and it looks amazing with so many details like decomposing skin, exposed muscles and bones. I can't wait to see what you upload next!
You are always really supportive. I really appreciate it. This was a labor of love. I enjoy watching them go outside as much as they do.
Hope all is well.
Dan
Cali and Wiggles putting some carpet down in places for them to scratch and knead can be a good idea. I put down a cheap rug in my lounge near the couch to have them use their claws on instead of my couch.
@jus wuzz: does that actually work for you? lol --I now have two very strong boys whose nails are like talons and I'm often punctured. When THEY scratch their bodies seem to elongate so they're 3 times their normal height! I've tried just about everything - but still, the back of one of my dining room chairs (now covered with several layers of whatever I could come up with) is their 'choice'! They have a tall, carpet covered cat tree they love and will use, along with a fairly new 48" tall round and very sturdy thick, rope covered scratch post with a solid base the smallest cat will climb as a 'perch' they love to scratch on --and THEN go back to the chair. ??? They even use the wood frame of the bathroom door when that enters their heads. I've thought of trying to come up with a real tree branch to somehow install by the Bay window -but hubby's not overly fond of the idea. I'm the 'cat lady', he's the long-suffering cat-tolerant person. ;)
ElizabethGS it did work but now..alas, they've buggered the back of the couch. I still recommend offering different places/textures, it limits the wanton destruction!
I am baffled at 163 numbnutzes who thumbs down this amazing video. This keeps domesticated cats safe, the birds safe, and it enriches their lives. Amazing!
Thank you Davad. That is why the Humane Society endorses the idea of catios. For all those reasons. Take care
An affront to Nature and Providence. You (and your cats) would do well if you installed cat doors and removed those cages to restore to your cats their God-given freedom….
Absolutely fabulous well done you must love your babies
Thank you Jennifer! Yes, I love them dearly. They give more to me than I give to them. Take care
Dan
Yes their little faces saud it all. My little boy is my life and gives me lots of love
@@jennifermclachlan7426 I am sure of it. Give him a pat on the head for me (although he'd probably rather have a treat!).
Omg this made me burst into tears- what a lovely video! Thank you! I am sharing it with my other cat lover friends !
You are very sweet. Thank you for the nice note Phoebe! Glad you enjoyed the video!
HI IF YOU LIKE CATS YOU MIGHT LIKE MY CHANNEL
I wish I could do this for my cats..They would be in heaven.. I have a good spot but just not the know how.. They are so lucky.. Well done.
Thank you very much! I do have a "fact sheet" showing the basic process and materials if you are interested. Just email me at dan@gourmetpapermache.com if you are interested. Good luck!
That, is what I call HEAVEN. Such a beautiful environment, the construction is ingenious and so masterful- well done!!
That is so very nice of you to say Thaddeus! I am just happy to have a safe place for my little "kids". Despite how it looks from my back yard I live on a very busy arterial in a big city. It is not safe for cats to roam free in my neighborhood. Take care
The 198 dislikes are cats that are jealous because they don't get an amazing enclosure.
That's funny! Thanks Bob!
Maybe they are from people who think it’s inhumane to keep cats locked inside or in cages their whole lives. This guy could have saved himself a ton of work by just opening his front door.
These cats do not live in the “big city”.
@@sleeknub Yeah, you are kind of right. But you have to take into consideration protection of wild life and the health of the pets and the family. Purrfect solution here I´d say.
@@Whiteiris999 It´s an absurd comparison. This is a pet, not a wild animal. I live in a condominium and my cats have the freedom to wander, they never really go much further 2 houses away from mine and stay in the back yard for most of the time. So, what´s the point in letting cats go out and hunt birds? (I only let mine go under supervision and never overnight, and again only because I know they won´t go hunting or bother the neighbors. )
Haters gotta hate
At 3.58. the beautiful green eyes, beautiful cats..
3:58
You are the BEST!! This is THE most awesome cat enclosure. The best part is how much you love these babies.
Thank you June! I do love my cats. All cats are wonderful.
What a nice thing to do for your cats!
Thank you! I am very happy I made this for them.
Dan
Amazing! You thought of everything!
Thank you. That's nice of you to say.
Fabulous! Absolutely fabulous. How kind, generous, and loving of you to build this amazing Catio in order to keep your cats from being hurt or killed! My three rescues are watching too and just asked me, "Hey Mom! When are you going to build us an amazing Catio like Max, Eddie, and Riley have?"
You must be a cat lover. Thank you very much for the kind words Astute Bellas. You you are my hero for adopting rescue cats! It makes me happy to know they are loved. Take care
Wow your a great pet owner and a talented man!
Thank you Mickey! I really appreciate the nice comment.
Dan
Point: 4:11~~~"makes important decisions"~~~the cutest part of the video!!! LOL!!!
Thank you so much! Yes, I like that part too. Take care
How I wish I'd known about things like this 25 years ago when I had 18 rescue cats in a makeshift enclosed yard that I constructed myself out of chainlink fencing and chickenwire. It was ugly, but it kept them safe and relatively content until the last one passed away before the pandemic, whereupon a friend dismantled the cat pen for use as a chicken coop. Beautiful job, Dan. Thank you for sharing, as well as for caring so much about your beautiful cats' welfare.
Hello Deborah. What a nice note! You are my hero for taking in those cats and then keeping them safe before it was fashionable! I'm sure it was hard when the last one died. This video was made a few years ago and all three of the precious cats in this video are also gone. I miss them terribly. But that's the real price you pay with pets. It's not the cost of the food or the vet bills or the hassles with various things. We pay when we have to let them go. And it's excruciating. But they are always with me. We have two other cats now and they both love the catio too. Thank you for the wonderful words. You made my night.
Take care
Dan
GREAT JOB! I hope youve planted some little bushes in there by now to make it fun & more natural for them. Cats need plants to play with & to be able to chase & be stimulated by the little insects that get on & under the plants,
Susie Whitney Hahahahahaha telling a guy who just built this amazing, and as natural as possible enclosure for his kids, on what cats need! There's always one lol
@@animallovefest143 a couple mice babies?
So cool! Love the catio,me and my 9 cats are jealous,lol
Wow, nine cats! You must be busy! Good luck!
9 cats?! Wowwww. Maybe I will sub to you hehe
Oh you only have 2 videos. Subbed anyway 🙊
@@billybumbumthebengalcat2197 thank u! Ill be making more videos lol
I watched this on 26th June 2023. Amazing. What a beautiful enclosure your cats have. Riley was 18 when this was filmed, so long gone by now, I'm sure. She was very pretty. Your cats were/are very fortunate to have you caring for them.
Thank you very much for the nice remarks. Yes, all three of these cats are gone. I miss them terribly. But we still have two other cats and they love the catio (which has expanded since the video was made). Riley was very pretty as was Eddie and Max. I feel like adding that we got all three for free. They were "rejects" from the cat-show world which we were never involved with. They each had defects from a show world perspective. But we didn't care about any of that. They had wonderful personalities which is the only thing that mattered to us. Take care.
Dan
@@GourmetPaperMache_ Ah, sorry to hear Eddie and Max have gone too. They break your heart don't they. I've lost a cat every year for the last three years. Even when cats leave us after a very long life, they're never with us long enough. Their lives fly by in an instant it seems. One of my cats, Ruby, comes to me in my dreams, but her mother, Grace, has managed to almost fully materialise. We see the top half of her with her tail upright and she is no longer crippled with arthritis and suffering the effects of stroke. She appears as a young cat. Our remaining cat sees her too. Our beloved pets never truly leave us. I'm sure Riley, Eddie and Max are around you too. Maybe you will glimpse them one day, if you haven't already. You take care too. Andy, UK.
@@kernow9324 What a very nice reply Andy! It is very much appreciated! I couldn't have described how I feel about my cats leaving me any better than you did. I have had many cats over my lifetime. I still love them all. Eddie (in this video) was the most aligned with me. He was my constant companion. He slept curled up on my chest every night. While every cat is special, some are just a little more so. Surely Grace is one of those. Yes, there are times when they do seem to be there again. How wonderful to see your sweet kitty even if for just a moment.! Take care of yourself and your furry friends!
Dan
Jackson galaxy would be so proud!!
Yes, I think he would approve. Thank you!
This is absolutely amazing!
I would like to make something like this for my cats, how did you do it?
I just love to see it when people love and care for their fur babies. Those are very lucky cats and you are special humans!
Thank you Vanessa! All cat lovers are special. Cats are special. It's always nice to meet people who "get" cats!
This is literally what I have DREAMED about wanting to make or have someone help me make for may cats! Thank you! I will try to see if I have the right tools for it, if not I'll find someone who could help me:)
Thank you Kelly! I do think that these catios are a great way to protect cats. Despite how it looks from my back yard I live in a big city on a busy arterial. It's a dangerous place for cats for lots of reasons. But my cats love going out and enjoying the outdoors day and night. I'd be happy to send you my "fact sheet" if you think it might help in your design. Just send me an email at dan@gourmetpapermache.com if you are interested. (Please note that I am not endorsing any particular brands or products. Just sharing what I used.) In any case good luck to you!
Dan
Thanks Dan! Yes I’d love that thank you-I’ll send u an email:)
Dan, I sent you an email. I would like a copy of those plans for the cat enclosure if you don't mind. Thank you kindly for your time.
What a good cat Dad you are. Are they Abyssinians?
You even provide live entertainment.
Thank you Kim! Yes they are Abyssinian. They were both "rejects" from their litters. Don't know why. Doesn't matter. Did you know that Abyssinian cats are the most prevalent house cat on the planet? Just not so much in the US. That's what I read anyway.
Dan
GourmetPaperMache I
GourmetPaperMache 50
GourmetPaperMache wow! Had no idea! Such beautiful fur babies💕💕💕
GourmetPaperMache I guess it's because they both have too much pale fur on their faces and throats to be show standard. Doesn't make them less lovely as cats though. Everyone who sees pix of my Birman loves him but I ( jokingly) call him my factory reject because his white markings are wrong for a show cat. It also meant I got him at nine months old as 'reduced to clear'. His breeders were sorry to see him go, but had to reduce numbers.
what a relaxing vid this was. I really enjoyed watching your kitties and listening to the birds. Thanks for sharing.
You are very kind to say. Thank you!
I watched, entranced, thru the entire video. The way you put it together was really excellent, or maybe I'm just a certifiable cat woman because your felines are very engaging. All are beautiful, too. I love the markings on your American Tabby, Max. I've had two live to 18 and 19! Hoping your pride lives long, and certainly it will be well. But you know, it's just got to be hard to be so close yet so far away from their "fun" with flora and fauna ;-) I read yesterday that cats still retain many of the same genes their wild cousins have; they are only semi-domesticated. Mine certainly are still wild thangs.
And on another subject, your artwork with Paper Mache is fantastic! It is what drew me to your channel here on UA-cam from a video circulating on FB. Just sayin'.
Beautiful Cats and great job-- I have lost three cats -- all who were outdoor cats to start with two to coyote and 1 to an idiot neighbour who thought he was a football...this is an excellent solution. As a residential building designer -- this is AWESOME. BTW -- what kind of cats -- they're gorgeous..ST
Thank you Scott! I'm very flattered. That was a labor of love. I'm sad to report that the oldest cat in the video, Riley, died two weeks ago. I'm so happy that she had the summer to enjoy the outdoors. She had a spot right outside the bathroom window where she was stay all day long. She ended up living 19 years, a good run. She and Eddie are Abyssinian. Smart and really friendly. I've read that they are actually to most prevalent house cat in the world (although they aren't that plentiful in the US). The other one, Max, is a Bengal. He's a really sweet cat. We got all three for nothing because they were rejects from the cat show circuit. They had some kind of flaw that we never quite figured out. Well, and we didn't really care about showing. We just liked their personalities. Thanks again for the nice note. Happy holidays!
Dan
I thought I saw abyssinians! Used to have a few myself. Like yours, they were smart and friendly (though so were almost all of my rescued shorthairs). My first aby, a male, had a trait I have seldom seen in a cat: He recognized a poster on the wall as being a cat and reacted to it as if it might be alive. He had an even stronger reaction to one of those cat wall clocks with rolling eyes and a tail that moves in rhythm to the ticks. Most of my cats have simply ignored even large photos on the wall and none of my other three cats at the time gave more than a glance at said clock. The aby in question also seemed to think that a 10" doll on the sofa beside me was alive, and when I raised its arm from behind as if to wave to him, he jumped backward in fright as if it had been about to throw something at him.
I love, love, love the catio. It is the best one I've ever seen. I'm going to be watching the video over and over.
Scott Turrall
Mm, I have lost 2 cats to food poisoning from neighbours and 4 to cars.
I know that you've created this to enhance the lives of your cats, which is fantastic, but I love the enclosure because it protects the wildlife that frequents your back yard. I rehab baby squirrels that are injured or abandoned, so when I saw the squirrel on the fenceline & knew it was protected from the cats, it made me so happy. In an urban setting cats that are allowed to roam outdoors kill so many wild birds and squirrels, so it's great to see this solution that gives the cats fresh air & exercise but also protects the wildlife. GREAT JOB!!!
Thank you very much Johnny! I couldn't agree with you more. That is one of the biggest reasons to have a catio for a cat! I love the creatures that share my yard. I make sure they have food and water when it snows in the winter or gets too hot in the summer. I never put any chemicals in my fountain and flush it with fresh water every day so that the birds can drink and take baths (which is a great show for the cats!). The squirrels are very friendly with my cats and know them. And we have a little band of three raccoons that wanders through every so often. Even though they are cute, they can really hurt a cat or dog if cornered. One of my cats loves to watch them, but once again, it is safe for both. Domestic cats kill many wild birds each year. It is a tragedy. It's nice that you appreciate that part of this. Take care
Dan
I am green with envy! This is great cat architecture!!! My fur kids would LOVE this. Great job. I wish all cat owners could do this👍🏿👍👍🏾
What a nice thing to say! Thank you very much! Of course it was a labor of love. thank you!
Wow, I would love to make something like this for my cats ❤️
If you are interested I have a "fact sheet" that describes in a general way how I made this along with a list of what I bought and where I got them. If this is something you would like just send me a note at dan@gourmetpapermache.com. (I am not endorsing any particular store. This is not an ad. Just trying to help spread the word about catios.) Take care
Just let your cats go outside
@@Gourmetpapermache I love this…I would love to do such project.. how long did it take you?
@@trevorgibson9525 Why are you watching these videos? I don't like to fish, so I don't watch fishing videos. You obviously don't live in a big city. You can't even adopt a cat from a shelter here without signing a contract that says you won't let the cat roam free. That is to prevent death by cars and illness like feline leukemia, and even coyotes that have been seen in my area.
@@charkhin This took a couple of months. But much of my catio is up in the air against the house requiring ladders. It all depends upon your circumstances and how elaborate you get. I should mention that I have a couple of much smaller catios, just dog kennels connected to the house outside windows. No ramps or tunnels. The cats love those just as much. They get to sit outside.
I could watch this all day!!! All three of your cats are beautiful and they are really enjoying themselves.
That is very nice of you to say! I'm glad you like the video. Thank you That Girl!
I have no words... bless you your heart🙏🏻❤️
Same to you Laura! You must love cats too. That's what it's all about. Take care
Nature and the kitties! A serene and lovely sight to behold.😏
Thank you Dorian!
Wow this is an amazing outdoor playground/ catwalk for your adorable kitties... they can enjoy the outdoors and smell fresh air, and still be protected... lucky cats!
Thank you Janice! Yes, despite how it looks in the video (the back yard) we live on a busy arterial in a big city. These catios really are a good thing for cats. Take care
Dan
I enjoyed every minute of it and could have watched more. My last kitty was a brown tabby. We miss her still and it's been a couple years now since she passed. I love your outdoor cat enclosure. Pretty neat...hugs from Arizona...:)
Thank you Cheryl. I really appreciate the kind remarks. Take care PS. This video is a few years old. These cats are no longer here. And I miss them terribly. I understand your pain. I have new cats that I love too, but I will always miss these little ones, especially Eddie.
I love it when cats attack leaves. It's so unnecessary :)
I love most everything cats do. Thank you!
Yeah, he really told that bush!
To think there are people like you on earth who are kind and caring about their animals and are able to make such a beautiful "escape" for them that is safe. Gorgeous
Thank you for the nice note alene! You are obviously a cat (animal) lover. Because you are you understand that I get much more from my little friends than they get from me. Take care
Dan
18 year old cat? Bravo! What were you feeding him/her??
Thank you. She just ate normal cat food. Nothing special.
Our old girl was 23 when she passed, our old boy is 18, he doesn't like out any more, he's so scared, then we have a 12, 10 & 1. The 1 yr old Ragdoll doesn't get out on her own , but love to go for walks on her lead. I'd love to build something , this is just awesome
20 is the life expectancy of a fully indoor cat, in description it said these were previously indoor cats so its just below the common expectancy
Mine lived to 23 - I squeezed the contents of an Omega3 capsule on her food - I take them too ;)
wow ! congrats, amazing, lovely
Thank you so much!
We are finishing renovating a house right now, & plan to add a (modest) Catio like this in our back yard this Summer
Excellent! Good luck to you and your cats! You will be the hero!
Best one I've seen.This cat lady has seen AlOT!!🐆👍
Thank you so much! Glad you like this Laura!
Delightful. As an person being kept by two cats, I believe there isn't a cat anywhere who wouldn't appreciate this little catdom made by their person. Video is quite good as well. Most entertaining 🐺🐱🐈🐹🙄
You are very kind Sharon! Thank you for the nice remarks! I can tell you "get" cats!
Sad for your loss, Riley looked like a majestic cat, special. Thanks for sharing her with us and giving your cats such a pampered lifestyle.
Thank you for the condolences Bob. She had a good life. Take care
Not only are the cats lucky, but so are the wildlife who will live to see another day because the cats can't have them for a snack. Great job!
You are right about the wild life. Thanks Catherine!
what lucky kitties!
+Shannon Hutcheson
Thank you. Yes, they are very spoiled.
your devotion to your kitties makes my heart sing. they are very very happy kitties will get the benefit of the sun and fresh air for beautiful health. i have no doubt you will bring them in if it becomes to cold . a wonderful design with so much opportunity to explore and play. i hate to see any animal in a cage. this is not a cage but a very secure design with tons of love and thought put into it. bravo from one cat lover to another.
Thank you so much for the kind remarks Catherine! It's always nice to hear from another cat lover! Despite how it looks from my back yard I live on a busy arterial in a big city. These catios are really a great way for them to get outside. I know my animals. I know that they don't think of these as cages. In fact, I think they seem very secure in their tunnels when the raccoons and big crows etc come by. They are very happy. And they are free to come and go as they please. There are cat doors at all the entry spots so they go in and out as they see fit. I hear them going outside in the middle of the night.
Take care
Dan
you do know your animals and no they would not think of these as cages which is one of many things i find so wonderful about their area. this is truly the best of both worlds for them and it is so clear how happy they are. you are a wonderful pet parent and truly understand how happy it makes them to be free to be so stimulated by nature in a very controlled environment.you and your fur babies are very blessed.@@Gourmetpapermache
@@catherinebronte3645 Thank you again Catherine! Truly, my pets give more to me than I give to them. I know you understand. Take care
Dan
Lucky cats!