Purr-fect Fence - Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I be sure my cat won't be able to get out of the Houdini-Proof enclosure?
2. Do I need the Houdini System or the regular Cat Kit?
3. Is there any difference in the material for the Standard Kit vs. the Houdini System?
4. Is it very difficult to install? Do you have installers?
5. What is the "Cat Canopy", what posts will it attach to, and how does it work?
6. Can I use trees for supports and/or can I attach the canopy extenders to the U-Posts?
7. Can I use this fence to keep dogs in and/or deer out?
8. If my ground is uneven can I still put up the Houdini System?
9. How do I get in and out of the enclosure?
10. What about coyotes?
11. Is this enclosure permanent, or if I decide to move can I take it with me?
12. How long will this product last?
13. What about the ground stakes, how necessary are they and at what spacing need they be for cats?
14. I have rabbits in my area, which type of cat fence should I use?

1. How can I be sure my cat won't be able to get out of the Houdini-Proof enclosure?

To date we have had zero reported cat escapes from the Houdini System. This is due to several factors, but most importantly to the flexible/unstable nature of the polypropylene grid, the canopy top, and the chew resistant bottom that gets overlapped 6" onto the ground. For the handful of expert climbers that might be able to make it near the top of the fence, they will then be denied escape due to the effectiveness of the canopy that turns them back toward the ground. Having said this, installation technique is still very important because any small opening can be a potential escape route for a cat.

2. Do I need the Houdini System or the regular Cat Kit?

If you have an older, heavier, or sedate type of cat who is not interested in climbing you can probably use the standard fence kit. What makes it work is that the fencing is flexible enough that cats don't feel comfortable because it is so unstable when they attempt to climb it. However, if there is any doubt that your cat might be able to climb, then the Houdini-Proof Fence System is highly recommended. The steel mesh bottom of the Houdini kit is also critical for keeping the enclosure from developing any holes that might be chewed by rabbits - it is also much better for keeping potential predators out.

3. Is there any difference in the material for the Standard Kit vs. the Houdini System?

Yes, all Houdini kits now come with the Heavy Duty Fence as part of the system. Also provided with the Houdini System is the bottom layer of vinyl coated wire mesh (visually matches the upper poly section) which stops rodents from making holes in the bottom of the fencing and therefore stops cats from getting out of one of those holes. The Houdini System also sports a built in canopy, which is very effective in stopping even the most acrobatic cats from climbing out.

4. Is it very difficult to install? Do you have installers?

No - we provide a DVD for you to watch before installing, which helps you to learn how to most easily perform the best installation. Set up is not difficult but it does take time and it is important to follow the step by step instructions and to make sure before you start that you have all you need for a thorough install. Our company also offers installations in certain regions - please see our Installation section of the website.

5. What is the "Cat Canopy", what posts will it attach to, and how does it work?

The canopy prevents cats from going up and out by turning them around and back down the fence. The canopy is formed by attaching extenders to the tops of the Heavy-Duty Posts, and then the top 30 inches of poly fencing arches over the extenders and attaches via zip ties to the extender braces starting at the ends and then down the posts, eventually overlapping it and then securing it to the wire mesh section along the bottom.

6. Can I use trees for supports and/or can I attach the canopy extenders to the U-Posts?

Trees are not a good idea for attachment unless you plan on offsetting the fencing from the tree with a special metal rod/canopy device that attaches to the trunk with brackets. This product is currently in development - please call for availability. Using trees is ideal for larger enclosures where keeping deer out and/or large dogs in is also a priority. Please call for assistance in calculating materials.

7. Can I use this fence to keep dogs in and/or deer out?

YES.positively - we have been doing this for years.Please see #6 and visit www.BennersGardens.com and/or www.bestfriendfence.com

8. If my ground is uneven can I still put up the Houdini System?

Yes, the material is very forgiving, however, you may need to make some accommodations in the fence by taking tucks and using the zip ties to do the attaching or a hog ringer with the hog rings. It would be prudent also to try and make the ground as level as possible before installing.

9. How do I get in and out of the enclosure?

We have access gates that come with everything you would need to make a convenient entrance for yourself or lawn care professionals.

10. What about coyotes?

To date we have not had any reports of coyotes getting inside the Houdini-Proof enclosure. This is most likely due to the 24" steel bottom that overlaps 6" onto the ground and is staked tight. Coyotes can dig and are nocturnal, so we strongly recommend bringing your cats in at night or having a pet door so your cat(s) can easily and conveniently come and go from the house as they please.

11. Is this enclosure permanent, or if I decide to move can I take it with me?

You can determine how permanent your fencing system is based on the type of posts you use. If you are thinking of moving eventually, then you should use the Heavy-Duty posts with inserts or the Houdini-Proof Kit. With these post/sleeve systems you can easily just slide the posts out of the sleeves, detach the fence by cutting the zip ties, remove the extenders (an expensive, custom made piece), pull out the ground stakes, and then saving all these steel components. The parts of the fence that can't be easily re-used will be the fencing itself and the sleeves that are still in the ground (You can then purchase replacement post sleeves, steel mesh and poly fence for the new installation - less than 50% of the original cost).

12. How long will this product last?

Purr-fect Fence is designed to last at least 10-12 years for the standard fencing material and most likely 15 or more for the Heavier Fencing utilized in the Houdini-Proof System. All fencing is UV stabilized and all steel components are either galvanized, and/or coated with a protective baked on black finish.

13. What about the ground stakes, how necessary are they and at what spacing need they be for cats?

Ground Stakes are crucial for an efficient installation of the cat kits. Usually these are spaced every 5 feet, but for cats, especially escape artist-type cats, we would recommend that they be installed every 2.5' - 3' to restrict openings through which a cat could squeeze under.

14. I have rabbits in my area, which type of cat fence should I use?

We strongly recommend our Houdini-Proof Fence System. It comes with 2' x 100' x 2" mesh "Chew Guard" which will effectively prevent rabbits from chewing access holes in your fencing, that could then encourage your cat to escape. If your cat is not an acrobatic climber-type, but you are concerned about rabbits chewing holes in the fence, you can purchase the Chew Guard material separately along with our Standard Cat Kit, and just overlap it along the perimeter of the bottom 18"of the pre-existing poly fencing (with the 6" of Chew Guard flaring out, away from the protected area).

Our Cat Kits are PURR-FECT for your feline friend...