There are a lot of reasons why you may need temporary fencing for dogs and cats. Maybe you’re moving to a new home that isn’t fenced yet, or you’ve found a stray dog and need to split your yard in two to keep your current dogs and the stray separated. Whatever your reason, there are many different option for finding affordable temporary fencing.
1. Garage Fencing
On a recent road trip through San Francisco, we noticed that many of the houses in the area have no yard to speak of, but each has a garage. People appeared to be spending more time out front walking or jogging or just conversing with neighbors. Of course, their dogs want to be with them. So, what do these people do?
K9 Garage Door Kennel Net
The K9 Garage Door Kennel Net is ideal for anyone who loves to have their dogs in the garage with them.
Garage Net is a secure, easy-to-install dog fence for anyone who let’s their pets into the garage. It’s the perfect place to bond with your dogs while you’re working on your car.
I can also see it being handy if the weather is too rainy or snowy to let pets run outdoors. Just add a temporary patch of grass so they can potty, and you’re ready to roll.
Another option for Garage Net is enclosing your barn during the day, without blocking the airflow. Just remember to remove all of your dangerous chemicals and tools from the garage before putting your dogs in there (and never leave your pets in there for more than a few hours).
2. Retractable Driveway Guard
Keep in mind that this product is not intended to stop pets from escaping, it’s merely provided to establish boundaries. Possible uses might include:
Creating a temporary holding pen at a competition (you’ll still need to make sure your pets are secure). Closing a neighborhood street. Creating a camping site. Fencing off an RV patio.
While this product isn’t really intended for pets, there are some applications where it may come in handy. Since it’s very simple to install, this would make a great temporary boundary for a small dog.
The KidKusion Retractable Driveway Guard is 18′ – 25′ long and very simple to install. It ranges between $95 – $125 depending on where you purchase.
Again, this is not truly a fence, but more of a boundary. If you live in an apartment, have a patio, want to keep your dogs off your bordering golf course, or any other reason – this is a great option.
3. Enclosing Your Decks and Porches
This type of patio privacy guard is created with HDPE and is rust-resistant with metal grommets and reinforced seams. Since it’s a taut fit, you may need some help installing and you shouldn’t plan to remove it often.
This is ideal for decks, patios, balconies, porches, swimming pools, enclosing bottom rungs of fences, and more.
4. Portable Playpens & Enclosures
If you have a rough and tumble pack of puppies or kitties, a collapsible playpen may be the perfect solution to keeping them contained. These portable playpens are ideal for keeping puppies and small dogs in a fairly secure area without chains or bulky kennels.
A few of the things we love about these playpens are that they are:
- Reinforced with an attached floor mat
- Include carrying cases for portability
- Fully collapsible
- Available in a variety of sizes
- Very affordable (depending on size, they range from $20 – 100)
Playpens are perfect for camping, adoption events, motorhomes, and any place you need a smaller pet to stay contained
Portable Enclosures
We love adventurous pets (especially cats) and that’s why we LOVE cat enclosures. We know a lot of people (including ourselves) who take their cats and small dogs camping or a road trip. We certainly don’t want our pets running wild in the street – especially in a new area that is unfamiliar.
These types of enclosures are for temporary (a few hours) use only. They are secure, easy to move, and your cat or dog won’t feel pent up. Some of them even come with entire climbing and play areas!
KittyWalk systems are ideal for cats who need some fresh air in a controlled environment. These portable systems can be used for cats or small dogs.
There are a number of different designs available and can be added to other systems to expand uses. They are:
- Easy to Install: Since they are self-standing, they can be easily transported.
- Allow plenty of visibility
- Weather-resistant
- Easy to place anywhere: We’ve used in the desert sand and forest floor.
- Secure (but remember, true escape artists will escape anything, so be sure your pets are microchipped)!
5. Fencing Specific Areas Temporarily
We’ve all been there…
A stray dog is wandering around and you want to help, but there’s not a spare room available in your home and you’re not sure how they’ll behave in your home. They don’t get along with your pets, and you haven’t had the stray vetted yet, but you’re sure you can find the owner. You just need some time.
Never fear. There are lots of ways you can create a temporary enclosure without disrupting your home or life, or causing problems for your own pets.
Kennels
Every dog owner should own or have access to some type of dog kennel. Preferably a large, covered run.
They’re cheaper than you think. These dog runs are very affordable and portable. Stay with galvanized chain link for a long lifespan and pick up a shade cover – you have to make sure your pets have shade and fresh water at all times, and no animal should be in there longer than a few hours at a time.
Porch, Patio and Pool Fencing
These types of iron gates are great for people who need to keep pets away from specific areas in the yard (for example, the pool or garden or koi pond). Some features include:
- Easy expansion (you can easily expand this set-up to become a 144-inch wall mounted gate)
- Easily installed (in some cases, these are free-standing or can be easily attached to further secure current fencing)
- Available in a variety of sizes
Hopefully this gives you a few ideas on how to keep your pets contained while you’re on the road or at home.
Remember that the kennels and enclosures mentioned above are temporary options for short-term containment. You shouldn’t leave your pets unattended in these temporary fencing situations. For long-term options (while you’re away for work) these articles will help:
- What to do if you have an escape artist.
- Learn about options for fencing your entire yard.
- Read this article if you are building a cat enclosure.