Until about five years ago I'd always allowed my cats to roam freely. Then, after I'd lost a cat on the roads and as I became aware of what a nuisance my cats must be roaming about the neighbourhood, I decided to build them a cat run - but not any old cat run - this was to be a cat empire! This coincided with the introduction of strict cat controls by the local council in Bendigo - fate telling me it was a good idea.

I wish I'd done it many years sooner. The cats have never been happier or healthier, and actually prefer the enclosures to the 'outside' (given the choice, the cats will always opt for the cat door into the enclosures rather than the human door into 'freedom'). They feel incredibly safe inside them - something I realised when, the first week they were in the cat run, they happily sat not two metres away from the lawnmower man and his thundering machine when previously they'd always run terrified from him.

Now that I have moved down to Tasmania, the cat empire has expanded to suit Nonsuch's huge garden - the cats have more space than ever.

I had several options in building my cat enclosure. I could have cat proofed the fences, but, as with my house in Bendigo, the fences here at Nonsuch are too difficult, and too extensive, to cat proof. I could also have had one huge enclosure, but I've always preferred the system whereby many small enclosures are linked by long walkways - that way the cats can still explore the garden, enjoy many different environments, and have the opportunity for lots of exercise (I have two enclosures sitting on the roof of the car port - a very different view that they love!). Currently the enclosure system at Nonsuch is a full 250 metres all the way about.

Visit a clickable plan of the enclosures. This plan updated with new images from late December 2006.

Meet the cats.

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