How to Build a Cat Run Enclosure With a Chain Link Fence

Building a cat run enclosure with chain link fence is a way to provide a safe place for your cat to exercise. An outdoor cat run provides your cat with lots of healthy sensory stimulation and exercise. Hang a bird feeder or a squirrel feeder about 10 feet from the enclosure to provide extra entertainment.

Things You'll Need

  • 50-foot roll of 13 gauge galvanized chain link fence
  • 4 sections of 1 inch by 9 feet steel pipe
  • 8 four-way 1-inch pipe connectors
  • 8 three-way 1-inch pipe connectors
  • 16 sections of 1 inch by 3 feet steel pipe
  • Non-toxic industrial strength adhesive
  • 44 tension bars 3 feet each
  • 74 tension bands, 1 inch
  • 74 carriage bolts, 5/16 inch by 1 ¼ inch
  • 4 sections of 3 foot by ½ inch pipe
  • 4 elbow pipe connectors, ½ inch
  • 8 tension bands, ½ inch
  • 2 male gate hinges
  • 2 carriage bolts, 3/8 inch by 2 inch
  • 4 female gate hinges
  • 3 carriage bolts, 3/8 inch by 3 inch
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the 9-foot pipes next to each other on the ground. Slide two four-way connectors 3 feet in on each pipe. Make sure the connectors line up with each other on the four pipes. Glue three-way connectors on the ends.

    • 2

      Assemble the frame. Place two sections of 9-foot pipe next to each other on the ground about 3 feet apart. Glue 3-foot sections of pipe into the open holes of the connectors on the ends and the two connectors along the pipe to complete the bottom frame. Repeat the same steps to complete the top frame.

    • 3

      Glue 3-foot sections of pipe into the connectors on the bottom frame pointing up to support the top frame. Affix the top frame to the 3-foot sections of pipe that are sticking up from the bottom frame to complete the 9-foot by 3-foot frame.

    • 4

      Cut four sections of the chain link fence, three sections 9 feet long each for the sides and bottom, and one section 6 feet long for the top. Slide three tension bars through the last link along the edge of each side of the 9-foot sections, two tension bars along the length of the 6-foot section and one tension bar at each end of all four sections, weaving it in and out of the links. Cut two sections of fence 3 feet long. Insert one tension bar along each edge.

    • 5

      Attach the 6-foot-long section of fence to the top of the frame and the 9-foot-long sections of fence to the bottom and sides of the frame using a tension band every 1-1/2 feet down the length and two tension bands at each end spaced evenly apart. Attach the 3-foot sections to each end of the run using two tension bands spaced evenly along the edges of the 3-foot sections.

    • 6

      Assemble the gate. Place four sections of 3-foot by 1/2-inch pipe in a square on the ground. Glue the sections together with elbow pipe connectors to make a square gate frame. Cut a 3-foot section of fence. Slide a tension bar along each edge of the fence. Attach the fence to the gate frame using two tension bands evenly spaced.

    • 7

      Attach the gate to the top opening of the run using two male and two female hinges spaced evenly apart.

    • 8

      Affix one female hinge to the opening edge of the gate and one female hinge to the frame of the run where the gate will close. Line them up so when the gate is closed the two female ends are aligned right next to each other. Slide a 3-inch carriage bolt through both female ends of the hinge to hold the gate closed.