My eldest had the idea that if we made a platform outside the new catio window, it might provide a more stable and usable surface for the cats. I used old lumber, cut off the soft bits, and screwed them to supports with a little space between.

On a relatively cool morning, I looped the flap up to open the access, and Thor the cat actually went outside for the first time in over a month. It took him 15 minutes to get out the door. I’ve never seen a cat move so slowly.

Izzy loves the new platform. She can easily go in and out with the flap in its intended position, and she likes to lounge on the deck.

Since we are approaching fall (yay!) I hope we will have more cool mornings that Thor can go explore. But not now, because our mild summer couldn’t properly be a summer without giving us some 100 plus days. Blech.

The wood I used for the top of the catio access, going from the house window to the enclosed space for the cats, rotted in the rain. I knew I had to address it, but when Thor the gray tabby ended up outside by his lonesome it became more urgent.

It is in my plan to get some clear material to go over the top to keep the rain out, but to make it secure in the meantime I replaced some of the wood then laid poultry wire over to keep the cats in. I had both the wood and wire, so didn’t have to make a trip to the hardware store.

The poultry wire is stapled to the wood, and wired to the hardware cloth, so the cats should be secure.

Oh my goodness, we have reached a new level of tolerance. Our two cats still don’t care for each other, but the circles of personal space are growing smaller. Enough so that they will both occupy the catio at the same time. The catio is not fancy, but it is a good size with plenty of perches. It has only taken five years for it to hold two female cats.