An escape-artist cat has been foiled by his clever owner after she devised a hack to stop him jumping off the balcony.
Kendal Greer attached a mop handle to the back of her cat’s harness. The smart contraption means that the daring kitty – creatively names Picasso Dump Truck – can’t fit through the bars on the edge of the balcony.
Although the RSCPA has said the best way to keep your cat safe on a balcony is by investing in mesh and nets, or keeping them indoors.
Kendal, who lives in Orlando, was shocked to see Picasso Dump Truck standing on the outside of the awning – 20 feet above the ground – when she moved into her new apartment.
Concerned her snowshoe cat would instinctively jump through the gaps to follow a bird, student Kendal knew she needed to come up with a way to keep him safe.
Kendal spotted her her Swiffer mop and unscrewed part of the handle, she then attached it to the side of Dump Truck’s harness with two zip ties.
Now, the two-year-old cat gets wedged between the balcony spokes whenever he gets too close to the edge of the platform – and he’s not exactly happy about it.
‘I originally tried a spatula, but it was too heavy,’ says Kendal.
‘I happened to walk past my Swiffer mop and realised that the pieces of handle were the perfect size and weight.
How to keep cats safe on balconies
‘We know that some loving owners may want to let their cats out on a balcony for some fresh air but unfortunately this can be quite dangerous for some cats who develop “high rise syndrome”.
‘Cats don’t seem to have a good perception of great heights and it’s possible that when distracted or playing they may fall from windows or balconies from many floors up, which can cause serious injuries and is known as “high rise syndrome”.
‘We sadly see cats falling from great heights especially during the summer months when owners are most likely to open a window or let their cat out on the balcony.
‘We would recommend keeping indoor cats entertained and stimulated inside the home with plenty of playtime and enrichment but if you do let them out on a balcony then please consider investing in safety mesh and nets to cover balconies to ensure they’re safe for your feline friend.’
Alice Potter, the RSPCA’s cat welfare expert
‘The harness worked! He tried to go through the bars a few times, but he got stuck every time.’
However, Kendal does admit that the harness wouldn’t stop her kitty if he tried to jump up and over – but hopefully he won’t figure that out.
‘I never really intended for this to be used to keep him on the balcony for any extended period of time,’ says Kendal.
‘The balcony issue is pretty recent. The complex we lived in for over a year before had a screened-in balcony.
‘Dump Truck had a little door that allowed him almost unlimited access to the patio, so he was a little spoiled with all of the naps in the sun and birdwatching.
‘Now we live on the second floor and the balcony isn’t enclosed. I didn’t think this would be an issue since he never really tries to escape.’
Kendal says she got a real fright the first time she let Dump Truck come outside on to the balcony with her. Kendal looked away for a second and the brave cat walked through the bars and stood unprotected on the outside of the awning.
‘Fortunately he didn’t jump,’ says Kendal. ‘I think he just wanted to stand there and observe, but I realised that if a bird or squirrel went by, instinct would take over and he would probably jump.’
Photos of Kendal’s contraption have been popular on social media. The funny pics were shared more than 20,000 times with other cat owners planning to copy her ‘genius’ invention.
‘Wow this is a must… Too bad my cat will literally jump right on top of the railings,’ said one commentator.
‘That’s literally genius,’ added another.
The RSPCA says that the best way to keep your kitty safe from harm on balconies is to invest in some safety mesh and nets, or to keep them entertained indoors. And we don’t recommend attaching any household items to your pets.
Top Travel Picks
Europe's 'coffee capital' is a hidden gem Italian city with flights for just £48
Colourful seaside town is one of 'least visited' in UK with few train travellers
'Cosy' city 'packed full of history' named UK's worst to visit
'Spectacular' Greek island named Europe’s cheapest holiday destination
UK city that was incredible in the 80s now has 'atmosphere of misery'
There are plenty of vet-approved ways for you to cat-proof your home. And if you don’t have a very safe balcony, make sure your cat doesn’t go out onto it.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE : Your daily horoscope for Monday, July 5, 2021
MORE : AnyVan boss reveals how his business has unexpectedly profited during the pandemic
MORE : Festivals are cancelling amid July 19 uncertainty – what does this mean for the industry?
Share this with