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-   -   Where to buy cat trees in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) (http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=53623)

Joeyjoejoe June 23rd, 2008 12:12 AM

Where to buy cat trees in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area)
 
I need a new cat tree... a big cat tree (my 2ft cat tree isn't cutting it anymore). I've tried looking around (Petsmart, Petcetra, Global, Pet Value, etc), but I noticed that the cat trees are either too small, poorly built or way overpriced.

There are many places in the US sell much better quality cat trees for much cheaper. However, most don't ship to Canada and if they do, the shipping, tax, duty, and (in some cases) brokerage charges will make any cat tree too expensive.

Does anyone know where I can pick one up in Toronto?

Plan B is to build one myself, but since I'm in a condo, I want to avoid that.

TacoGrl June 23rd, 2008 12:35 AM

I was at IKEA of all places Saturday and they had a unique one that actually looked like a tree! It had shelves and the top had a shelve with the tree branches sticking out of it...$149...

Other than that, you might try Cat Fanciers or whatnot...they should have a website or phone number and usually have links to people who build them...I was talking to one at a show once, but ended up buying one from Wal-Mart and modifying it a bit...it just worked out the Wal-Mart one had the same carpet I had laying around so I could add to it and it only cost $30 :D

Another thought might be the Bargain Finder...you know, that place an ad for free paper that comes out every Thursday and sold at 7-11 etc...not sure if they have them out east?

Joeyjoejoe June 23rd, 2008 12:35 PM

Is this it? Too weird...
[URL="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20112073"]http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20112073[/URL]

phoozles June 23rd, 2008 12:37 PM

If you're looking for a cheap alternative, you might want to try your local freecycle group - got a cat tree that way, and the cost was only the gas to pick it up! :thumbs up

[url]www.freecycle.org[/url]

TacoGrl June 23rd, 2008 03:45 PM

[QUOTE=Joeyjoejoe;611565]Is this it? Too weird...
[URL="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20112073"]http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20112073[/URL][/QUOTE]


Ummm...nope...I can't find it on their site...perhaps it was a special buy? It was like a regular stand with different levels, but had branches wrapped in brown carpet and green felt for leaves...

Masha June 23rd, 2008 06:44 PM

I have one cat tree that i purchases a few years back, and i have been looking for a bigger one for a while now but they are so poorly done and cost $200!!!

I figured that to get what i really want i will have to build one. Make sure you make it stable enough to withstand the jumping/playing..

Joeyjoejoe June 23rd, 2008 08:41 PM

I totally agree with Masha. I'm not looking for a great deal, but I just feel that the cat trees available are just not worth the costs. The quality is just not there... The 2ft cat tree I have, broke as I was assembling it. Some parts were just stapled on. A glue gun and some screws later and it was better than new.

So while I was looking at that weird cat tree on the Ikea website, it got me thinking...

I got this in my parents basement: [URL="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/30058508"]http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/30058508[/URL]

Which hasn't been used since I moved out. It was cheap furniture that I used as a student.

I think with a few extra pieces (for support and give it more levels), carpet, and a lot of sisal rope, I can convert it into a cat tree! All without the need for cutting or drilling!

I'll post what I come up with.

LavenderRott June 23rd, 2008 09:02 PM

Being old does have it's perks!

Here is an OLD thread with instructions on how to make a cat tree. If memory serves, it is rather simple.

[URL="http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=10307&highlight=build+kitty+gym"]http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=10307&highlight=build+kitty+gym[/URL]

Joeyjoejoe June 27th, 2008 12:19 AM

I just completed my cats' new (much larger) cat tree.

-I started out with the [URL="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/30058508"]Ikea Gorm Storage unit[/URL] (which I already had). Then purchased (all prices are Canadian):
$15.00 -3 additional shelves
$ 4.50 -6 end caps (so it doesn't scratch the hardwood)
$ 4.00 -2 110cm posts
$ 7.90 -2 50ft packs of sisal rope
$ 3.89 -staples for staple gun
free -carpet (lucked out)

So the final cost is $39.88... which was about the same price as my 2ft crappy cat tree (broke again today :mad:... kinda fortunate that I finished the new cat tree today).

The hardest part (which wasn't that tough) was cutting the carpet and wrapping it around each shelf. I won't go into the details as carpeting has been covered in other posts. However, I will say that no power tools were used, just a staple gun and a box cutter. Okay, I'll come clean... I did use a power drill, but that was only to speed up the assembly.

This is probably an ideal solution for those who are looking to make a cat tree, but either don't own or don't know how to use power tools. Or like me who does own many power tools, but no place to use them. Condo living does have a few down sides.

Also the cat tree is modular. I can add/remove/relocate the shelves, add an addition, angle some of the shelves (this may require drilling), make it taller, etc. Mine is quite bland, but I plan to make the second highest shelf into a hideout, hang a hammock below that, and add a few more dangling toys.

[IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/2615245470_a232de8c4e.jpg[/IMG]

ConnieBee August 8th, 2008 01:03 PM

re Sisal rope for cat posts
 
Joeyjoejoe: You said you bought 2 rolls of the sisal rope for your cat tree. I am having a hard time finding any. What type of store did you buy your rolls at? Thank you!!

BusterKitty August 8th, 2008 01:15 PM

[QUOTE=ConnieBee;637312]Joeyjoejoe: You said you bought 2 rolls of the sisal rope for your cat tree. I am having a hard time finding any. What type of store did you buy your rolls at? Thank you!![/QUOTE]

I was gonna ask the same question :D I've looked at websites and they don't have sisal rope(only twine).

ConnieBee August 8th, 2008 05:38 PM

BusterKitty
 
I found a dealer in Kansas City, Kansas that sells sisal by the 100' package for undder $6. I'm in Canada, but i'm still thinking about it!

BusterKitty August 8th, 2008 06:02 PM

We're all going off topic, sorry!
I think they sell sisal at Rona. Not sure if it's the one that's thick enough.

Love the homemade cat tree. Building it yourself makes it customized and original. And if you're cat doesn't like it, sell it on EBay for a tad bit more:cool:

irenee133 May 10th, 2010 12:47 PM

Just in case making your own sounds like too much work there is a guy in Ontario, I think Peterborough, who makes them and will ship to your house anywhere in Canada.

I originally bought a 2 tier cat tree from him at a cat show in Etobicoke about 12 years ago and liked it so much I had him make me another taller one a few years ago and he shipped it to where I was working in Victoria BC at the time. They are very sturdy and the quality is excellent. I'm thinking of getting one more even larger this time because I now have 2 cats. I'm not sure if I can post his website here but if you google "woodruff for pets" you'll get it.


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