Cat Fence Kit Retrofit, page 2
When retrofitting your existing conventional fence there are a few things to consider. Our typical cat fence kits were designed to be escape proof and through trial and error are very effective. We found that to secure cats from escaping there are a few specifics needed for most cat containment systems. Please be sure to watch your cats carefully the first few times they're outside in their new enclosure, as they will test the fence line for weaknesses.
Here are some bits of information that may help you with your retrofit project:
1. Find some way to prevent your cat from being able to get underneath your converted conventional fencing. Our fence kits have 6" of overlap extended to the inside and staked to the ground every 2 feet. This prevents the cats from pushing the fence up from underneath and getting under the fence. Some conventional fencing types, like stockade, aluminum, vinyl and others, are installed in panels. This means that if you have any changes in grade along the fence line there will be peaks and valleys at the base of your fence. These gaps need to be filled with cat fence mesh or similar or the cats will get underneath. The space may seem small to you but cats can contort themselves to the ground very low to get under something.
2. Secure the excess fence mesh from the retrofit kit to your existing fence well. If there are gaps that a cat can sneak under they will climb right up your stockade fence or similar and escape.
3. Leave some slack in the canopy. When you're stretching the fence mesh from extender to extender, don't pull it so tight as to create a straight and stable platform. If your canopy is too tight, your cats just might jump up there (if they can reach) and walk around on top of the canopy. We had one customer with one of our cat fence kits that had a cat that would jump up on the canopy from her gas grill This cat would then lie down on the canopy in the sun. Some cats naturally like to get as high as they can and it's a fun game for them.
4. Lastly, be aware of other objects on the inside and on the outside of your new modified cat fence. Most conventional fences are installed in straight line. This means that there may be trees that are close by that could allow your cats a means of escape or trees on the outside that may allow other cats a means to get in. Other cats getting in from the outside isn't really a huge concern but it can happen if outside cats now frequent your property. Most cats won't try to invade another cats territory without good reason.
Please give us a call if you have any questions. We'll help you adapt your existing fence if we can. If you are still unsure, or need additional help, we can professionally install a retrofit kit for you.
