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When designing a fence for animals, every detail matters. A small gap, an unsuitable material or an incorrect design choice can compromise the safety of the entire enclosure.

In this new article, inspired by the latest video published on the Rete Plastic YouTube channel, Marco from Fenceshop takes you behind the scenes of one of the projects we are most proud of: the construction of the Municipal Cat Shelter in Turin, completed in 2005 and still fully operational today.

This article is part of our series dedicated to real projects carried out by Rete Plastic over the years. Our goal is to show practical solutions, explain the technical decisions made on site and demonstrate that behind every tutorial there is a company with decades of hands-on experience in designing and installing professional fencing systems.

A project designed to last

The Municipality of Turin needed to build a shelter capable of safely housing stray cats in a large outdoor area located in Piazza d'Armi.

The enclosure covers approximately 680 square metres, with a perimeter of around 100 linear metres, and was designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment where the animals could live while remaining protected at all times.

The objective was not simply to install a fence, but to create a long-lasting structure requiring very little maintenance, despite being permanently exposed to weather conditions.

The shelter would later be equipped with wooden houses, internal divisions and all the facilities required for daily management.

Solving the first challenge: uneven ground

Before selecting the fencing system, it was necessary to solve an important problem.

The site was not perfectly level. Installing the fence directly on the ground would have left small gaps underneath, creating possible escape routes.

For cats, even a few centimetres can be enough to find a way out.

To eliminate this risk, a continuous reinforced concrete wall was built along the entire perimeter before the fencing installation began.

Besides creating a perfectly level base, this solution also improved the overall strength and durability of the structure.

Choosing the right fencing system

For this project we selected hot-dip galvanized electroforged steel grating panels with a 25x76 mm mesh, installed approximately 2 metres above the concrete wall.

The upper section features an inward-facing anti-climb extension, an essential detail when designing secure enclosures for animals known for their agility and climbing abilities.

Compared with standard residential fencing, electroforged grating is certainly a more demanding solution, but it offers major advantages:

• excellent structural strength;
• outstanding durability;
• maximum resistance against corrosion thanks to hot-dip galvanizing;
• minimal maintenance over time.

For public projects expected to remain in service for decades, these characteristics become essential.

You can find similar professional fencing systems on Fenceshop.eu.

No gaps larger than 3 centimetres

One of the client's main requirements was extremely clear: no opening anywhere could exceed 3 centimetres.

The concrete wall allowed the fence to be installed extremely close to the base, eliminating gaps underneath.

However, another potential issue remained.

Small spaces between the fence panels and the posts could still allow cats to squeeze through.

To solve this, additional steel strips were installed alongside the posts, completely closing the remaining side openings.

These small construction details often make the difference between an ordinary fence and a professional solution specifically designed for animal shelters.

Additional safety solutions

Several improvements were introduced during the construction phase.

The upper sections were protected with high-strength polyethylene netting, preventing animals from escaping while keeping the structure lightweight.

Another important feature was the installation of double safety gates, similar to those used in secure buildings.

This system ensures that whenever one gate is opened, another remains closed, dramatically reducing the possibility of accidental escapes during daily operations.

To provide even greater protection, a fine galvanized wire mesh was also fixed along the upper anti-climb section, extending approximately 15 cm inward and making climbing even more difficult.

Products used for this project

The Municipal Cat Shelter required professional products specifically selected for long-term durability and maximum safety.

Among the main products used were:

• hot-dip galvanized electroforged grating panels;
• polyethylene netting for upper protection;
• fine galvanized wire mesh for the anti-climb extension;
• galvanized pedestrian gates.

These products belong to categories that are available on Fenceshop.eu, together with a wide range of fencing solutions for residential, industrial, agricultural and animal facilities.

A project still in service after twenty years

More than twenty years after completion, the Municipal Cat Shelter in Turin is still fully operational.

This is probably the best demonstration that careful planning, high-quality materials and professional installation produce fencing systems capable of lasting for decades.

If you would like to see the original construction photographs and discover all the technical details behind this project, watch the complete video on the Rete Plastic YouTube channel.

If you are planning a fencing project for a cat shelter, dog shelter or any facility dedicated to animals, visit Fenceshop.eu to discover our range of professional fencing systems, gates, mesh panels and accessories. For more specific requirements, you can also book a consultation with our experts to find the most suitable solution for your project.