Since returning from my summer in Dalyan, I can say I have checked off nearly everything on my post-move/settle-in to-do list. It has been 2+ months of nesting, arranging, rearranging, shopping, waiting on deliveries and assemblies, and then the unpacking of more boxes and luggage, and final arrangements. I can say that I feel 95% settled. I have a few items to get framed and hung on the walls, but otherwise the major list items have been accomplished. They were as follows:
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- Purchase matching bedroom furniture to go with the bed purchased last year ✅
- Purchase a TV and have it wall mounted and installed ✅
- Get wall art sorted and hung ✅
- Get curtains cut to new lengths and hung ✅
- Have a Catio built ✅
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It’s that last item that I am here to share about today. As soon as I returned to İzmir, I started asking around for anyone who could recommend a GOOD carpenter that might be up for the task of building a catio for one of my rooftop terraces. But catios aren’t a common thing in Türkiye, at least not yet, and most everyone I met did NOT know of someone they thought could handle the task with skill.
Coincidentally, during one of our back-to-school teacher weeks, I found myself sitting beside a fellow foreigner colleague and we were chatting about how we had spent our weekends. I explained that I had been to Koçtaş (home depot) to buy some items to allow my cats a temporary way to be safe on my rooftop terrace. Helen inquired about what the permanent fix would be.
“Well, as soon as I can find a good carpenter, I want to have a catio designed and built,” I said.
“I could do that,” she said.
“Really???? Are you sure?” I asked.
And from there the idea was in motion and would soon become a reality. I took measurements of the space where I envisioned the catio. I opted to have it on my front terrace which is the side where the sun sets (my bedroom side terrace offers sunrises). There are trees on front side, which means there will be more birds for the cats to watch. They can also see down into the edge of campus where street cats and students play. (My bedroom terrace just looks out on buildings for the most part.)
I took pictures of the terrace and indicated where I hoped to put the catio and a basic idea of the dimensions. Helen and her husband, Neil, both accomplished DIYers, drew up a sketch, made measurements, and worked with me to order the wood, chicken wire, and roof material needed. Helen made a trip to Koçtaş and purchased all the ironmongery and wood glue needed. I ordered Tung Oil to apply as a safe and non toxic treatment for the wood to somewhat protect it from the rain and elements. I still need to do a second coat of that!
The first Saturday morning we built the main frame/structure. This included wood glue, sawing wood to size, and drilling and screwing things together. Helen also sanded the edges. After that first morning, Helen took home some of the wood so that her husband, Neil, could construct the door over the week. On the second Saturday we installed the door and its lock, stapled chickenwire all around, and installed the polycarbonate rooftop (to protect against rain and offer shade). I would say we did it in about 9 hours total, plus whatever time Neil spent on the door. We do plan to meet again in November to add some accessories and varied access and lounging areas for Ziggy and Jinx.
I have never built anything from scratch. Helen was the mastermind and the woman with a vision and a plan, but I can say it was gratifying to participate in the process and to construct something for my kitties to enjoy in the months and years to come. Jinx being a street cat from here, she longs to be outside–she has even escaped through a screen door to galivant all over the neighboring rooftops. The little devil!
Ziggy is slowly warming up to the concept. But it makes sense–she is from Mongolia and was only on the streets a very short 3-4 months and has otherwise lived the rest of her life indoors.
I’ll wrap this post up with a picture of the finished structure. Once I get a second coat of Tung Oil on it and Helen and I add the few accessories for seating areas, it will be done for real. But it is up and functional now. Thanks so much to a friend with knowledge and skills, and willing to give of her time and effort. Thank you!
Dimensions: 190 cm Long x 100 cm Wide x 175 cm Tall