[seablue]

I'm still shaking right now. We've been trying to cat proof our backyard for the two kitties - they're still under a year old. Jax has been finding holes in the netting we put up and escaping. DH tacked it all down last night and this morning I put Jax out (Binx wanted nothing to do with going out this am). He went to his usual spot where he pushes up the netting and escapes. And it's a good thing I was sitting outside watching. He pushed his head thru and I thought he was just sitting there but then I heard him gasping. I went to him to get him down and he couldn't get his head out - the net was SO TIGHT around his neck he was choking and couldn't breathe. I screamed and ran into the house to get a knife and ran back out and cut the net apart and got him out. He was then doing this cry type of meow. I was in shock I think. I ran him into the house and petting him and calmed him down and he's fine. Thank god!!!!!!!!!! They are NOT going out there loose in the yard. This netting needs to go. I think the holes are just too big.
I'll need to either check into netting that is made for small cats OR fix up the dog run and just keep them in there. I only put them outside for an hour or two so they might just have to deal with being in a dog kennel only and not the whole backyard. I just don't know how to cat proof the whole thing. There's a big tree out there that they love to climb in but that's out now.
I wish I could stop shaking right now.

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[I.M.O.M]

Scarey, glad Jax is ok.

[CatsRU]

Have you looked at using steel mesh instead of netting. There is no way a cat can get caught in that.

Thank God that you were there to save Jax.

[pearl8]

I'm not surprised you are still shaking - that is awful. Poor little Jax, so glad he is ok. I agree with Rosanne, I'd go for enclosing a smaller area and using metal mesh. They really don't need a huge space.

[CatsRU]

Or if you still want to use netting, buy the small netting but it must be tensioned so that it can't buckle.

[seablue]

Jax should have been named Houdini. I don't want to go with mesh at all. I don't want to take any chances. Knowing Jax, he'd rip an opening with his teeth and get his head stuck again.
I think I'll stick with the dog kennel and set up a playpen in there. That way I know where they are. I can give them logs and branches to climb on and lounge boards, plant some plants in there - they can have a good little outdoor play area in a smaller area. they can get their running exercise inside the house.

[CatsRU]

Jax wouldn't be able to rip steel mesh with his teeth LOL

[Lushbaby]

How traumatic & terrifying for you both. That is exactly the reason I would never use netting. They can chew or rip it.
Go for aviary wire with small grids, it does not have to be super thick quality.
Buy it by the roll not the metre. Much cheaper & cheaper & safer than netting anyway.
Glad your kitten is ok.

[KIZMET]

A good lesson for everyone I think

[pammie]

How terrifiying thank goodness you were there to save the little rascal.

Pammie.

[Lara]

How terrifying for you! I am so glad that the little guy is okay.

I use shadecloth with wire behind the shadecloth in my enclosed area - and I also have some lattice. Works well!

[seablue]

DH and I are both excited to get started on the dog kennel for the cats. We have the top all done. Sunday we will remove the flooring and put in sand or something and plant some plants and put in tree branches for climbing and we are going to cut a hole in the top and put in a pop up type cage on top which will be in the tree that is there - kind of like a tree house A big log will go up to it so they will need to climb to get up there. I would also put in some lounging boards in different heights.
I'll get some pictures taken when it's all done.

[oriental cats]

my vet mentioned to me that he is not convinced the netting is totally safe especially for the breeds that climb, aka any oriental type! and used the wire mesh himself and is what he recommends

[little feet cattery]

im glad you seen him in time