We didn't want the kittens to get bored...

[WritersBlock]

so we put 'em on a shelf!

Or shelves, to be more exact.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/81419605@N00

[demnan]

1. Cute

Must be loads of fun around your house. My ten year old Siamese and my 5 year old ginger play all the time too. It is so much fun to watch. They even get old Lily whose 18, involved sometimes.

[WritersBlock]

2. They are definitely making life interesting.

We've had them a month today, and it's like they've always been here.

We have a cat "playstation" on order, and hope to receive it by the end of the week. It'll go next to the couch and provide a permanent launching pad for the shelves.

http://www.catplay-stations.com/mini_troy_supreme.htm


But all this, and they love more than anything to cuddle up on our laps. I've read that Maine Coons aren't usually lap cats, but these two are right now. I hope they never grow out of that!

[Sanity Claws]

3. "It's like they've always been there."

I remember using pretty much those exact words to describe how I felt to a friend of mine, just a couple of weeks after I got my two kitties. Amazing, isn't it?

[demnan]

4. What they say about breeds isn't necessarily true

The Cat Fancy post says that Abbysinians aren't lap cats. Lily, who is half Abby and looked the most like her Mom is the most lap cat I've ever had.

They also say Siamese are intelligent and demanding, but they don't say how loving these cats are. Pad Thai is easily broken hearted when I don't come home on time and purrs when I even talk to him.

As for Charley, he was feral for nearly a year as a neighbor estimated. He is now becoming a lap cat too. He's very affectionate.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. Great idea! They are gorgeous!!!

Inspired idea. Surprised to find that there were others that did the same. I would love to do that for my cats.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/look/look-easy-diy-cat-shelves-062424

http://www.iroquoisinnovations.com/loft.html#

[WritersBlock]

6. That's where we got the inspiration for them.

(Wish I could take credit for being that creative, but I can't.)

Started out googling for kitty condos, then ran across this site which started me thinking. Then I found Modern Cat's "Climbing and Perching" category. (I *love* that site!) Kept looking for more, because I was hooked.. found this and this (pricey but pretty), then discovered this forum (good how-to pics - scroll all the way down the page for more pics). Also ran across this site (dial-up warning). Finally, there's The Cat's House. I can't wait till they re-open their site, because I want to see more than the one picture.

So last weekend, we were sitting in the living room looking at the pretty glass shelf on the wall above the sofa - the shelf (did I mention it was made of glass?) with family pictures, miniature whisky bottles, and other breakables sitting on it. Then we looked over at these two innocent-looking kittens, one of whom had already managed to leap from the turntable onto the fireplace mantle and knock things off it for sport. Then we looked back at the *glass* shelf. My husband looked at me and said, "Homebase, then?" (Homebase = Home Depot ish)

So off we went. Bought the shelves (rated to hold 35Kg each) and 3 carpet squares. Took about 4 hours to put them up, including cutting & gluing the carpet squares. (Note - if anyone's planning on doing this at home, be sure to melt any loose carpet fibers with a small flame after cutting the squares to fit. Otherwise they'll unravel, and I have read that the fibers can be harmful to kitties.)

Ours aren't as nice-looking as a lot of the others, but they were quick & cheap - the entire lot cost about the same as one shelf from one of the commercial sites above. If and when we ever get around to redecorating that room, we'll put up fancier ones, but we were looking for a quick, cheap & cheerful (yet safe) solution. The cats seem to like them just fine, and they're pretty entertaining for us, too! (Watching the cats on them, that is!) ;)

[BrklynLiberal]

7. You did a great job. Inspired me to look...

[goodgd_yall]

8. This is a great idea.

I've never seen these web sites. So between them and your OP, I've learned a lot!

[Lorien]

9. But what will you build them when they weigh 20 pounds each?

;-)

[Eurobabe]

10. Oh they are beautiful!

How old are they? :hi: