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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:	Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:	FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:	MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO

Created:	Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:	Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	5089
Total number of notes:	60366

4006.0. "Indoor/Outdoor Access Control Help Needed" by COOKIE::EDELBERG () Thu Sep 20 1990 00:08

Hi,

I could really use some good ideas to solve our household pet problem.

I'm in need of an access control mechanism on an already existing doggie door
that will allow certain household pets to exit through this door freely while
others trigger a mechanism that shuts the door.  The triggering mechanism is
similar in concept to the mechanism department stores use to trigger alarms
by attaching plastic (magnetized?) clips on clothing or other merchandise.
    
My household, which includes 2 indoor cats, has recently merged with another
household that includes a Shelty and an outdoor cat.  The Shelty and the 
    outdoor cat are in the habit of coming and going as they please.  My two
    cats have not yet figured out what's going on.  I'd like to keep them      
    indoors.    
    
Ideally, I want a very tiny passive device to attach to the cats' collars that
can EASILY be identified by another device mounted near the doggie door.  This 
in turn must trigger some mechanism for shutting the doggie door.

My current doggie door is a heavy plastic flap with simple magnets to
hold it closed until the pressure of a cat or dog pushing against it opens
it up.  I'm willing to replace the door mechanism in order to implement a
system that will discriminate.  

I prefer to attach an identifying device to those pets that will remain 
indoors.   

I've already investigated pet supplies manufacturers.  The closest item
that exists is a door usable with cats only.  We have dogs so this won't
work for us.  I talked with the manufacturer and they nor we can adapt the
mechanism for our use.  The mechanism they use is a 9 volt battery attached to 
the collar of those cats you do not want to exit.  

I do not want to use an indoor version of the 'invisible fence' which zaps
animals wearing a 9 volt battery when they approach a cable installed beneath
the carpeting.  The cost for this system is only $500.00!

Have any of you built or know someone who has built an access control
system for cats and dogs?  Any help will be most appreciated!

    		Thanks,

    		  Barbara

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
4006.1		CRUISE::NDC	Putiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313	`Thu Sep 20 1990 13:40`	10
	Barbara, the only mechanism of which I'm aware may be the one you said you already investigated. Its an electronic catdoor that requires a device on the collar of the cat to allow the door to open. You can set the door to be bi-directional, uni-directional in either direction, or locked. It would allow the outdoor cat (I'm not sure its big enough for the shelty) to enter and exit at will but would keep the door locked to your cats. Typically its used to prevent other cats and animals, like raccoons, from accessing your house via your cat door. It would mean that you'd have to buy a whole new door however. I believe the prices run around $130.
4006.2	Radio Frequency Seems to be the Answer	COOKIE::EDELBERG		`Thu Sep 20 1990 19:13`	30
	Hi, Thanks for your reply. You're right...this is the electronic cat door I've already investigated. I actually went so far as to talk to the manufacturer who also invented the device. They were very nice and were able to enlighten me somewhat as to why I was unable to find a commercial device to fit our needs. Apparently developing a mechanism strong enough with materials that are 'dog resistant' results in a pretty expensive device which isn't cost effective. My SO has been using the doggie door for about 5 years and hasn't had a problem with other animals entering the house...yet. We have some concerns about this possibility although in general, it's our outdoor cat, Cassie, who brings home other animals despite the bells on her collar. We have had mountain lions spotted in our neighborhood. Also, the petite daughter of some friends of ours was able to enter our house through the doggie door which suggests other unpleasant possibilities. I also entered this note in the electo_hobby notesfile and got a suggestion on how to use radio frequency components to build our own mechanism. I'm curious to see how this works out and what it ends up costing us. Perhaps I can implement it so that the door is 'locked' when not in use. I'm very surprised at the difficulty I've had tracking down a viable solution. I don't think what we want to do is so unique or unusual, is it? Barbara
4006.3		TENAYA::KOLLING	Karen/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca.	`Thu Sep 20 1990 23:06`	4
	Even if you find a door like this, I would think your indoor only cats could get thru it if they came right behind one of the outdoor animals.
4006.4	you bet your life	FORTSC::WILDE	illegal possession of a GNU	`Fri Sep 21 1990 00:00`	10
	> Even if you find a door like this, I would think your > indoor only cats could get thru it if they came right behind > one of the outdoor animals. and, in fact, many folks with collar-controlled doors find "guests" coming IN with their cats and dogs for snacks and a warm dry place. It wouldn't take any of my 4 long to try and "tag-along" with some other critter -- their curiosity would do it....especially Hannah, my little "monkey-cat" who is into everything.
4006.5		ICS::CUNNIFF		`Fri Sep 21 1990 13:59`	11
	re .2 - something struck me funny: >> My SO has been using the doggie door for about 5 years and hasn't had a >> problem with other animals entering the house...yet. I've heard of being in the doghouse, but isn't 5 years a little long? :-) jack (feline glad it's friday!)
4006.6		SALSA::PARKS		`Tue Oct 02 1990 20:12`	8
	I have the same problem(in/outdoor dog, indoor kitty). Solution... I'm going to put a large completely covered dog run on the other side of the dog door so that if my cat decides to follow the dog out it won't matter, she'll be protected. Of course the dog won't have full run of the yard, but with the poisonings that have been going on here, I'd rather she didn't anyway. Becky