Breach! Escapes happen
Even the best commercial containment systems are not 100% secure all the time. Someone accidentally leaving a gate or window open, wear and tear, or damage after a storm can all provide a means of escape for your cats.
For some of the commercial options, you may find yourself dealing with a problem shortly after install that the retailer didn't tell you about. A good installer will come back to solve the problem, but be prepared for this. A cat that can target the bracket between the anti-climb device, or a gap where the fences meet (or under the fence). You will need to come up with your own solution as a stop-gap.
If you're a DIYer, then you've probably already been through a steep learning curve, and now have the tools to deal with most new issues. For those who purchased, or built, an enclosure, especially one with a full roof, this may seem like a real blow. But, just like any fencing, it's always a work in progress.
While I'm not suggesting that you have to patrol your fences, or enclosure, on a daily basis, just as with any building you do have to keep an eye on how it is faring. It does not pay to be too complacent. A quick wander around after storms, and keeping trees and bushes in check as part of your gardening routine will go a great way toward keeping your cats secure.
If you do 'lose' a cat, or see one on the outside of your carefully constructed Alcatraz, don't panic. Rushing out to chase it will usually only make things worse. In many cases, cats that have never been 'outside the wire' will be very cautious, and have plenty to explore close by. I've had escapees calling to me literally perched on the outside of the wire. This is very handy, because they then usually show me exactly where the problem is. Just as frequently as soon as I get the escapee back inside she will head right for the hole again. It's a great game (a very handy one if you want to find the problem).
A recent breach in my DIY fencing (up for 3 years without incident) was purely down to the growth of a bush. It opened up a nice path through the wire that surrounded the main trunks, and Noomi probably followed a bird through (they frequently taunt her from the other side of the wire).
The first I knew about it, was Noomi appearing at the front door wanting in. A trick she repeated a couple of weeks later. I couldn't see a hole anywhere. In fact I started 'repairing' an area further down the fence, where I thought she might be jumping out ...only to hear her proudly announcing she was out again - clearly not through the area I was concerned about. A few more demonstrations, and I identified the problem, and set about pruning the offending bush in order to remove the option she was using. BTW pruning bushes and trees is a time for vigilance as well, it often clears routes that were not available before.
Lily has also been incredibly helpful, exiting a previously unknown hole right in front of my eyes. The plastic netting had simply sagged where one of the supports had broken, leaving a join open. A few plastic zip ties later, and a new piece of bamboo - problem solved.
So the moral of the story is, escapes will happen. But for the most part they are few and far between, and are generally very easy to fix.
For some of the commercial options, you may find yourself dealing with a problem shortly after install that the retailer didn't tell you about. A good installer will come back to solve the problem, but be prepared for this. A cat that can target the bracket between the anti-climb device, or a gap where the fences meet (or under the fence). You will need to come up with your own solution as a stop-gap.
If you're a DIYer, then you've probably already been through a steep learning curve, and now have the tools to deal with most new issues. For those who purchased, or built, an enclosure, especially one with a full roof, this may seem like a real blow. But, just like any fencing, it's always a work in progress.
While I'm not suggesting that you have to patrol your fences, or enclosure, on a daily basis, just as with any building you do have to keep an eye on how it is faring. It does not pay to be too complacent. A quick wander around after storms, and keeping trees and bushes in check as part of your gardening routine will go a great way toward keeping your cats secure.
If you do 'lose' a cat, or see one on the outside of your carefully constructed Alcatraz, don't panic. Rushing out to chase it will usually only make things worse. In many cases, cats that have never been 'outside the wire' will be very cautious, and have plenty to explore close by. I've had escapees calling to me literally perched on the outside of the wire. This is very handy, because they then usually show me exactly where the problem is. Just as frequently as soon as I get the escapee back inside she will head right for the hole again. It's a great game (a very handy one if you want to find the problem).
The first I knew about it, was Noomi appearing at the front door wanting in. A trick she repeated a couple of weeks later. I couldn't see a hole anywhere. In fact I started 'repairing' an area further down the fence, where I thought she might be jumping out ...only to hear her proudly announcing she was out again - clearly not through the area I was concerned about. A few more demonstrations, and I identified the problem, and set about pruning the offending bush in order to remove the option she was using. BTW pruning bushes and trees is a time for vigilance as well, it often clears routes that were not available before.
Lily has also been incredibly helpful, exiting a previously unknown hole right in front of my eyes. The plastic netting had simply sagged where one of the supports had broken, leaving a join open. A few plastic zip ties later, and a new piece of bamboo - problem solved.So the moral of the story is, escapes will happen. But for the most part they are few and far between, and are generally very easy to fix.
Cutting down a bush, pulled down, and broke a join on this section of the fence - so it is another small repair.
After a couple of quick repairs, and a cat retrieval it is all quiet at cataremoremo.
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