Jul 11, 2025

Safe Outdoor Freedom: Oscillot® for Shelters and Foster Cats

Oscillot® is a cat containment system that gives cats in shelters and foster homes a safe outdoor experience. This Australian invention lets cats enjoy fresh air and sunshine while keeping them from escaping or getting into danger. Using Oscillot® can make shelter cats happier and healthier, which might help more of them get adopted.

Key Takeaways

Feature	Benefit
Spinning-paddle system	Stops cats from climbing over fences
Various kit sizes	Fits different shelter and foster home needs
Easy DIY installation	Can be set up in 2-4 hours without special help
Durable materials	Lasts a long time and resists weather
Improved cat well-being	Reduces stress and lets cats act naturally

1. What is Oscillot® and How Does It Work?

Cat enjoying outdoor space with Oscillot

Oscillot® is a fence system with spinning paddles that keeps cats from climbing over. Paul Bok, a filmmaker from South Australia, invented it in 2006. Now, many cat owners and shelters in North America use it. The system has special paddles that spin when a cat tries to climb over, making them slide back down safely. This clever design works with how cats naturally move and climb, keeping them in without hurting or scaring them.

The Oscillot® system has lightweight, strong paddles that attach to the top of fences or walls. When a cat tries to grab the paddle to climb over, it spins, and the cat falls back into the safe area. This happens without electricity or anyone watching, so it's easy to take care of and always works for busy shelters and foster homes.

2. Benefits of Oscillot® for Shelters and Foster Homes

Using Oscillot® in shelters and foster homes has many good points:

Lets cats enjoy being outside safely, which is good for their minds and bodies
Makes cats less stressed by letting them do normal cat things like sunbathing and exploring
Keeps cats from escaping and getting hurt by cars, other animals, or getting lost
Helps cats make friends in a safe outdoor place, which is really good for shy cats
Makes shelters look better to people who might adopt, because they see happy cats in a more natural setting
Gives staff and volunteers less work because they don't have to watch the cats outside all the time
Makes the shelter a nicer place by giving cats more room to spread out
Might help stop some sicknesses from spreading because there's better air and less stress

3. Choosing the Right Oscillot® Kit

Oscillot® has different sized kits for different shelter and foster home needs:

300 Foot Kit - Great for big shelters ($2,027.00). This kit can fence in a big area for lots of cats.
200 Foot Kit - Good for medium-sized places ($1,351.00). It's just right for shelters with some outdoor space or for making a few smaller cat areas.
120 Foot Kit - Works for smaller yards ($852.00). Perfect for small shelter spaces or foster homes with little outdoor room.
60 Foot Kit - Best for foster homes ($443.00). This smaller kit is great for one foster home or for shelters making a special outdoor space for a few cats.

Each kit comes with paddles, stuff to attach them, and easy instructions. The 60 Foot Kit costs $299.00 and is popular for foster homes and small shelters. It's made of strong materials that last a long time outside and can be put up in 2-4 hours. When picking a kit, think about how many cats you usually have, how much outdoor space you have, and if you might want to make the area bigger later.

4. Easy Installation Process

Putting up Oscillot® is easy, and most people can do it themselves. This is great for shelters and foster homes that don't have a lot of extra help:

Measure your fence using the Cat Fence Calculator. This helps you get the right amount of stuff.
Pick the right size kit for what you need now and might need later.
Follow the step-by-step instructions that come with the kit. They're easy to understand, even if you're not good at building things.
Put the brackets on your fence. These fit on different kinds of fences like wood, metal, or brick.
Put the spinning paddles in place. Make sure they're lined up right and can spin easily.
Test the system by gently trying to spin each paddle to make sure it works.

It usually takes 2-4 hours to put up, depending on how big your fence is and how good you are at this kind of thing. Many shelters find that volunteers like to help with this project. It makes people feel like they're really helping the shelter. If you'd rather have a professional do it, Oscillot® can suggest local people who know how to install it.

5. Additional Cat-Proofing Measures

Oscillot tree collar for additional cat-proofing

To make your outdoor space even safer for cats, you can:

Use clear plastic sheets on smooth surfaces to stop cats from climbing.
Put Cat Tree Guards around trees so cats can't climb them and escape.
Make sure your fence is at least 6 feet tall for the best results.
Move things away from the fence that cats could use to jump over, like big rocks or furniture.
Add cat-safe plants and toys in the enclosed area to make it more fun for cats.
Put up cat shelters or covered spots so cats have a place to go when it rains or gets too sunny.

These extra steps work well with Oscillot® to make a really safe outdoor area for cats.

6. Success Stories from Shelters and Foster Homes

Many shelters and foster homes in North America have had great results with Oscillot®. Here are some of their stories:

Happy Paws Shelter in California had 50% more cats adopted after they put in Oscillot®. People liked seeing cats outside and happy.
Feline Friends Foster Network in Texas said their cats were less stressed and behaved better. Cats that used to be anxious or mean got much better after they could go outside safely.
Whiskers and Tails Rescue in New York made their outdoor play area bigger safely. This helped cats make friends and fight less inside.
Paws and Claws Shelter in Oregon had 30% fewer cats get sick with colds after using Oscillot®. They think it's because of better air and less stress.
Kitty Haven Foster Home in Florida found it easier to help wild cats get used to people. The safe outdoor space let the cats slowly get comfortable around humans while feeling secure.

You can read more real stories from customers to learn how Oscillot® has helped different cat places.

7. Oscillot® for Different Cat Personalities

Oscillot® works well for different types of cats in shelters and foster homes:

Curious cats can explore safely, which keeps them from getting bored and acting out.
Shy cats can slowly get used to being outside in a safe place. This might help them get adopted easier.
Active cats have more room to play and exercise, which keeps them healthy.
Older cats can enjoy the sun without wandering off. This is nice for cats with sore joints.
Cats that used to be wild can experience outside life while staying safe, which helps them get used to living with people.
Cats that like to hunt can watch birds and bugs without actually catching them.

The 16 Foot Cat-Proof Fence Kit, which costs $289.00, is great for making small, special spaces for different cats. This lets shelters and foster homes make separate areas for cats with different needs.

8. Maintenance and Longevity of Oscillot® Systems

Oscillot® systems last a long time and don't need much care, which is great for busy shelters and foster homes:

Made from materials that can handle being outside, including parts that won't break down in the sun.
Paddles might need cleaning sometimes to keep spinning well. Just wiping them with a damp cloth usually works.
Check the system once a year to make sure everything is still tight and working.
You can get new parts if something breaks, so you don't have to replace the whole thing.
The simple design means there are no electrical parts that can break.
In snowy places, you might need to brush snow off the paddles sometimes.

If you take care of it, an Oscillot® system can work well for 5-10 years or more without much trouble.

9. Cost-Effectiveness for Shelters and Foster Homes

While setting up Oscillot® costs money at first, it can save shelters and foster homes money over time:

Fewer vet bills because cats don't get hurt outside or fight with other animals.
Staff don't have to watch cats outside all the time, so they can do other important work.
More cats might get adopted because they're happier and friendlier, which means less money spent on long-term care.
Less money spent looking for cats that escape, like printing "lost cat" posters or offering rewards.
Cats are less stressed, so they get sick less often, which means fewer vet bills.
The shelter can take care of more cats by using outdoor space well, without having to build more buildings.
People who donate money like seeing that the shelter cares about cats' happiness, so they might give more money.

Many shelters find that the good things about Oscillot® are worth more than what it costs to set up. When thinking about money, it's important to consider not just what you save directly, but also how it might help more cats get adopted and make more people want to support the shelter.

10. Oscillot® and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Programs

Oscillot® can be really helpful for TNR programs, making them work better:

Creates safe places for community cats to recover after being fixed, so they can be watched and cared for properly.
Makes it easier to check on groups of cats without them running away, so their health can be monitored.
Helps manage feeding areas without attracting other animals, making sure the food goes to the right cats.
Can be used to make temporary holding areas during TNR efforts, giving a safe space for cats waiting for surgery or recovery.
Helps wild kittens get used to people in a controlled outdoor space, which might make them easier to adopt.
Lets TNR programs offer "working cat" placements, where cats that aren't totally tame can live safely in barns or warehouses.
Gives a kind option for cats that can't go back to where they came from because it's not safe.

By using Oscillot® in TNR programs, organizations can make their work safer and more effective, which is better for the cats and makes more people support TNR.

11. Getting Started with Oscillot® for Your Shelter or Foster Home

Ready to make a safe outdoor space for your shelter or foster cats? Here's how to start:

Measure your yard and use the Cat Fence Calculator to figure out how much Oscillot® stuff you need.
Choose the right Oscillot® kit for your needs, thinking about how many cats you have now and might have later.
Order your kit with our 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without worry.
Follow the easy instructions that come with your kit to set it up. If you need help, there are videos on the Oscillot® website.
Contact our support team if you need any help when planning, setting up, or using your Oscillot® system. Our experts are ready to help with any questions.
After it's set up, slowly introduce cats to the new outdoor space, watching how they act to make sure they're getting used to the Oscillot® system.
Think about taking pictures or videos of your Oscillot® experience to share with supporters and people who might adopt, showing how much you care about the cats' happiness.

Conclusion

Oscillot® is a great way for shelters and foster homes to give cats safe outdoor time. By putting in this system, you can make a better place for cats that's good for them and your organization. With different sizes available, easy setup, and proven results, Oscillot® is a smart choice for helping shelter and foster cats across America.

Remember, happy cats are more likely to find homes. By giving them safe outdoor freedom with Oscillot®, you're not just making their daily lives better – you're helping them get adopted. Being able to offer cats some outdoor living can make your shelter or foster home stand out to people looking to adopt. They often want pets that are well-adjusted and used to different environments.

Using Oscillot® also shows that you care about treating animals well in modern ways. This can make people in your community think highly of your organization, which might lead to more support, donations, and volunteers. As we learn more about taking care of animals, solutions like Oscillot® show a smart approach to cat care that keeps cats safe while letting them enjoy life.

Take the first step towards a safer, more fun outdoor experience for your cats by looking at the Oscillot® options for your shelter or foster home today. Your cats – and your adoption rates – will be better for it.