We have a neighbor problem
We have a neighbor issue. It gave cause to put up a live (Bengal cat) camera to record sound and video 24/7.
Keep in mind, I’m not inferring we have neighbors who are bad people. I’m sure they are good people at heart. But we’ve all been there. When anyone starts down a path of negative impressions, it’s hard to reverse that spiral. Whatever the reason for their animosity, don’t think that this is an indictment on them as a whole. But we all must be accountable for our actions. Thus, we needed a security camera to capture incidents as they happened. We didn’t want to rely on he-said-she-said, or partial proof of something taking place.
making lemonade
We wanted a cam that was always live. Always recording. If an incident occurred it would be in the immediate context. We invested hundreds of dollars in one that will track movement. The wheels began to turn. What if we could turn a negative into a positive? What if we could put the fun element of what takes place in the yard up for others to see?
Drill Baby Drill
After some drilling through the foundation and mounting constant power (no rechargeable solar panel batteries), the next challenge was learning how to broadcast and what platform. It all came together inside two days of work, and about a month of research and planning.
Kinda Redundant
While my office window physically looks out over the pen, I’m also notified by an alarm on my smartphone app of any human movement from designated areas outside the yard. Home or away, I can watch my Bengals when they are outside.
when rocks fly
One day a partial cinderblock and a large rock sailed over the fence wall and landed on the top of the fence. One day if an incident takes place that warrants action, a collection of evidence will be readily available.
Be nice until it's time not to be nice
Obviously, it is not only in bad taste to get into specifics but for legal purposes, things are being left out of this story. Names, threats etc… Let’s just say that not everyone loves cats. It’s unfortunate that it came to this, but I’m a believer that out of blue comes green. Things are what you make them. And you benefit from this by seeing how Bengal cats look in real-time.
It's a yard. Not a pen.
This is not a small enclosure. The camera can and does swing around to show the back side section of the yard. The purpose of the area is to allow our Bengals to live with some freedom to run, jump and play safely.
A small possum has been coming into the yard through the fence in the dead of the night around 2 am. He/she/they (LOL) is in search of food. So far our Bengals have not been around to confront it. A have-a-heart trap may be in store to relocate it.
The cat house
Everything is custom fabricated. Building the penthouse was particularly fun. It has two levels and is built extra wide so sleepovers give everyone space to call their own if desired. The windows are made of plexiglass with internal trim to seal off water from entering. The same goes for the lower-level cat door. It has a water ledge to stop rain from running in through the door. It is also treated with sealant.
The entire unit is off the ground to keep it from flooding. The roof is not only covered with shingles, it is hinged. It can be opened with a wooden prop inside similar to when opening the hood of your car. This allows us to change the bedding or even grab a cat if needed. The bedding is changed regularly.
We spread diatomaceous earth around the unit and in the yard to prevent bug infestation.
If that’s not enough. If the weather is bad, the stud boys are brought inside. If this is an unfamiliar statement, here’s an explanation. Whole boy cats will spray. It’s a horrible smell. It’s not urine. It’s fowl and pungent. We have indoor facilities for the boys. But it’s best to give them their own space. For this reason, the adult stud Bengal cats get the yard. The cat house is their overnight shelter when the weather allows.
The catwalks
The catwalks are always a work in progress. You’ll often find me on camera working in the yard to improve or change them.
In the future, the goal is to build some rope and plank bridges for our Bengals to improve their balance when walking across them.
legal note
Obviously, it is not only in bad taste to get into specifics but for legal purposes, things are being left out of this story. Names, threats etc… Let’s just say that not everyone loves cats. It’s unfortunate that it came to this, but I’m a believer that out of blue comes green.
Things are what you make them. And you benefit from this by seeing how Bengal cats look in real-time.
