Hello there all, I am new here. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on this subject. I have two cats a small back yard and over the yard there is a storage company. Now, when I first moved here my cats could go over into the place and get back but there is quite a high wall and the people over there have taken away the thing that my cats could get back on. I have asked them about putting it back to no avail so now I have to chuck a ladder over there so they can get back. It is proving to be quite stressful having to do this the whole time but can't bear the thought of Dillon and Ruby not having freedom (to an extent) Are there any ideas or contraptions you know about that could help e.g. a thing I can attach to the wall with a shelf on so that the cats can get back over and I can take down and leave or bring back easily? Something I could hook over and pull back. I am not sure this makes sense - hopefully you will understand kindof what I mean - thanks Jamie

Yes I can see how that may be a problem.

I have a neighbour who has fenced in their garden totally and although my cats are young enough now to scramble up, when they get older it may cause a problem.

Have you googled? Have you contacted local Cats Protection League (long shot)?

Have you thought about cat proofing your garden?

Yes have thought of all of these, but can't really do the garden. I have an idea like I tried to suggest in first post and have been scouring the interent for example hooked ladders etc. thanks for your message. There is always a way around these problems I am sure :-)

Look at this link

This Is Lancashire - Cat escape starts from scratch!

Ok its written 2000 but it almost describes your problem - wonders if worth contacting to find out design of 'the plank'

Or this one:

Rope Ladder and bird box make your own

Thought of a hammock type thing too ( ) like an assult course rop netting with a weight at bottom

Ok Jamie, my first recommend would be to train them to be indoor cats with cat climbers and plenty of toys, I have moggies as well as pedigrees and they have all accepted indoor life. Failing that, the only thing I can think for you is to fling some of that green garden mesh over the wall to give them a kind of climbing frame but it wouldnt be my ideal, especially if there is machinery about in the next door

Why dont you just cat proof your garden so they can still go outside but cant get any further.. with climbers and plenty of toys as Chrissy said they shoud be fine

It's important not to give burglars a helping hand so l personally wouldn't leave ladders next to walls in the backyard.

But do you know those wooden criss-crossed frames designed to help ivy or creeping-type plants to grow up the facade of a house? Maybe nailing one of them to the wall might help.

I certainley wouldnt want my cats playing in a factory yard!!!

Hi Jamie,

Is the wall shorter on your side (i.e. is the storage company's ground lower than your garden)? How are the cats getting up on to the wall from your side?

Is the storage company walled all the way around? That is, could the cats find an alternative route if given enough impetus (i.e. you not supplying a ladder)?

Your cats have learned that they can get back if they go over. If they learn that they cannot, they won't go over. Alas passing them the ladder isn't teaching them this (and they may never learn, as they've already got it wired into their brains that this is one of their routes).

Does the storage company object to your cats on their property? Would they be willing to discuss some alternative arrangement other than just sticking back whatever they took away (which they must've taken away for some reason)?

If no compromise can be found, and the cats won't go around the obstacle, then all I can suggest is that you make them a little rope ladder from string and dowling, and hang it over from your side - a few tries and they'll figure out how to use it. Ask the storage company if they would mind that at all. That way it's useable by your cats, but far too light to take a burglar's weight.

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