Thursday, July 31, 2014

need some ideas

Some of us don't get along quite as well as mom would like....  Junior bascially causes a lot of havoc around here. In fact, last Friday he went after Ivy and managed to remove some furs. Which of course results in some serious Ivy screaming. Keep in mind that Junior is semi-feral...so there is no way drugs or collars or anything else is going to work on him since that would require actually CATCHING him. :)   But there has to be some sort of solution to get some peace for Ivy and Spud (Junior's other favorite target - he generally leaves the older three alone).

She got to thinking that maybe it is long past due time to do some catifying around here. She won some shelves from Contempo Cat and Hauspanther and those will be coming soon. And here is the thought:

The wall you see in the top pic is at the top of our stairs (pay no mind to the Ivy tail). Our front door is at the bottom - you walk up 8 steps, turn around at the window and the up 8 steps to the living area of the house. Mom had grandpa put in the half wall at the top of the stairs to replace the fugly iron railing that was in the house when she bought it.
Here's her thought - install a pretty wide (12 inch at least) shelf along the top of the window that stretches from the half wall all the way across. It would still be about 7 feet up in the air, so it could in fact be a little wider even since there wouldn't be any real concerns about getting under it to get upstairs.
Or maybe put the smaller shelves up here.....
But then what about escape? Mom knows Spud would love to be out there - when the entry was being painted there was a huge scaffold put up and Spud would sleep in the far corner. The nice part is that Junior would NO WAY go out there - so Spud would be safe from the orange menace. But there should still be more than one way to get down. She is thinking cut a back corner out of the far side of the shelf (think over by the wall hanging) and then install our new shelves along the wall as a way down. But she isn't sure it would work....or look right. And while Ivy hangs out on the half wall, mom isn't sure she would go out that far, so it doesn't so much help Ivy. 

Plus mom worries about some cat hanging out that far up and maybe falling off - or some unsuspecting foster kitten. So put a "side" up on the long shelf?  But would anyone then go out there??? Mom is hoping for some help before she puts a lot of work and/or money into this (since she would have to hire someone to put the shelves up).

Any ideas?  Suggestions??? Anyone want an orange menace?? (just kidding)

24 comments:

  1. What about a sisal-wrapped pole on one end as an escape route? They are cheap to make...or a series of small shelves down the side wall?

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  2. This is a puzzle and I hope some kitties come thru with good ideas. xo

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  3. A large shelf above the window sounds like a good idea. You might want to consider that you might want to get new sofa or bed one day so the shelf will need to be something easily removed if necessary.

    The small shelves down the side wall as suggested by Katnip is a good alternative way of getting down. Or maybe have them across the side wall so it is like a U shape? Not sure if that makes any sense. ;)

    Maybe you could put in a good thick carpet on the shelf to give the kitty traction instead of "bed rails"?

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  4. I'm not good at visualizing things off the cuff, I need to see examples that I can copy. I'll bet Trish and others will have good ideas (already I see her suggestion of a sisal pole or small shelves).

    Good luck, though! And no, I'll pass on an orange menace. I had enough daily stress with the Annie/Nicki dynamic. :-/

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  5. Your ideas are good to put up a rail. And I like the pole idea from Katnip Lounge. Sorry I have no ideas.

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  6. Perhaps continue the shelf at a ninety degree angle and have it cross the wall where the hanging is now. That would take it back to the landing. It would mean doubling the length of the shelf. And a short lip or parapet on the shelf wouldn't be a bad idea.

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    1. like that idea but then you run into the steps coming up (which are under the hanging)

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  7. I think high lounging spots is a good idea, wide enough not to take a tumble!

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  8. http://lifehacker.com/5188992/create-a-cat-haven-from-ikea-shelves

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  9. Here are some more ideas: http://www.pinterest.com/hauspanther/cat-shelves/

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  10. I like Katnip Lounge's idea about the sisal poles. Also put some small ledges on the shelves to keep kitties from falling. It looks like you do have some good ideas to look over!

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  11. guys...tell yur mom ta chex out R pals goro & niko's ... and tim's place...both dadz just installed a walk way stairz & shelvin.... N tim's dads knot thru yet....they may be abe bull ta offer sum advise

    http://gorogoronikoniko.blogspot.com/

    http://timmytomcat.blogspot.com/

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    1. Yeah, we love what Tamago did for Niko and Goro. And Timmy Tom Cat's dad did a great job too creating the super highway. We think a shelf across there is a great idea. Like Brian said, wide enough so nobuddy falls...and carpeting for traction. We'll be interested in seeing what you come up with.

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    2. Pawsome idea! We love this too! As long as you create a pathway to escape in a couple of directions, we think that will cut down on "confrontations." ...that's the trouble with most cat towers. There's only one way up and one way down. ; )

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    3. THANKS! we hadn't seen those....

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  12. Some fab ideas here, in comments. Can't wait to see what you decide to do!

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  13. What about a small railing on the shelf so it's not enclosed but has a little protection from the long fall? The head peep says that she has seen low spindle railing at places like Michael's (this kind of railing https://img1.etsystatic.com/032/0/7137187/il_340x270.504307919_dk9b.jpg) or even pretty pipe railing, if you are crafty that way https://lh3.ggpht.com/-eodtY6eTYE0/US44F5tHsuI/AAAAAAAAA2M/KFrKlIhIv4Y/s1600/2013-02-15_19-57-26_963.jpg.

    The sisal-wrapped rope sounds like a good escape method (and you could attach something partway up to prevent kittens from climbing up from ground level!). Keep in mind with sisal that if it's heavily used for scratching, it will need to be rewrapped periodically, so factor that into your design. Either give the post plenty of clearance, or make it detachable so you can rewrap at ground level. Our very worn cat tree's posts were originally a single landscape timber, and it was over 7 feet long before it was cut up to make our tree.

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    1. I am liking the post idea more and more - would stabilize the shelf too....hmmmmm

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  14. All I know is that I see a window that could use some kitty loving. :) My cats, when they need alone time, love cat tv via the window.
    Much Love,
    Mama Mindy of The Slimmer Pugs and Purrs

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    1. actually, due to the stairs, the shelf would be above the window....

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  15. Katnip Lounge, Cynthia and Da Tabbies O Trout Towne have very good ideas or inspiring links. Check Hauspanther, they have several ideas of cattifying a house. We agree with the idea of a sisal pole, or a very simple cat tree with one or two shelves as escape way. Mum is used to draw her ideas on a picture of the room she wants to change, or to draw her project with exact measures, and then check in the place. Good luck ! Purrs

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  16. We love our shelves that our cousin built for us, and your mom is right, you should have two ways down otherwise someone could get trapped up there. Looks like you have lots of great wall space to add shelves to! Good luck!

    Happy birthday Ivy!

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  17. Poor Ivy. Sherpa is often on Harry for no good reason and I have to take Harry and hold him 'til Sherpa loses his wild hair. I don't have any ideas for you though, I'm sorry.

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  18. We don't have any helpful ideas, but do hope you find something that will work out for everycat!
    Cammie!

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