How Can I Protect My Cats From Owls In An Open Outdoor Cat Enclosure?

by Candice
(Sturgis, SD)

I have 7 cats and want to install another, larger enclosure for them with Purr-fect fence but we are in a very high risk area for large owls that think nothing of swooping down and taking cats and chickens. How did you overcome this danger or don't you have a problem.

Thank You,

Candice

RESPONSE:

Candice:

While we do have some owls in the area, they are not a problem as there are plenty of mice and other small rodents in quieter, open areas that are easier prey for them. We do worry about kittens so we make sure no kitten goes into the enclosure without knowing how to get back in. We don't teach them how to use the pet door, they learn on their own which insures they can easily escape back inside when they get scared. We also have several covered areas where the cats can hide if necessary.

If owls were a concern, we would check with a wildlife expert, maybe at a university, the forestry department, etc. and find out if there are any relatively simple ways to deter owls from the area of the enclosure even if they are tempted by the cats. Maybe some kind of lighting setup that would blind the owls. Don't know, just wildly speculating.

If they couldn't give us any suggestions that would work, we would go to the trouble and expense of covering the entire enclosure with netting. A home improvement store or even an Army/Navy surplus store would likely have something that could do the job. Initially, we would find out the most common times the owls start to hunt for food (dusk? dark?) and keep all of the cats indoors from that time on, through the night until daylight. As a temporary measure, keeping them in at night would help keep them safe until the cover or owl deterrent is in place.

Sorry we don't have a better answer for you but I hope this at least helps give you some "food for thought".

Let us know what you find out.

If anyone out there has some advice for Candice to help save her cats from the owls, please POST A COMMENT and let her know about it! Thanks!!

Donna
House Full Cats Mom