so what's to prevent a raccoon from (easily) opening those doors?
882425
You would have to install new door latches. These are not very hard to open even by a wild animal. Mine are kept indoors.
882426
I changed the locks on my cage to prevent anything from getting in. There are a lot of cheap but good lock choices at any hardware store
882427
Purchase a hook lock with a spring latch. Here is a picture of what it looks like. Simple, cheap and the raccoons cannot open it. https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site;=imghp&tbm;=isch&source;=hp&biw;=1366&bih;=610&q;=hook+with+spring+latch&oq;=hook+with+spri&gs;_l=img.1.0.0.2058.6066.0.7303.14.11.0.3.3.0.177.1061.9j2.11.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.14.1074.5qnTKvVOFt0#imgrc=cJ5aVHw2iOXfGM%253A%3BqczIQeNNK6qoaM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fecx.images-amazon.com%252Fimages%252FI%252F41DymH1wPML._SX300_.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FThe-Hillman-Group-592782-Safety%252Fdp%252FB00CR90ASY%3B300%3B215 Purchase a hook lock with a spring latch. Here is a picture of what it looks like. Simple, cheap and the raccoons cannot open it. https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site;=imghp&tbm;=isch&source;=hp&biw;=1366&bih;=610&q;=hook+with+spring+latch&oq;=hook+with+spri&gs;_l=img.1.0.0.2058.6066.0.7303.14.11.0.3.3.0.177.1061.9j2.11.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.14.1074.5qnTKvVOFt0#imgrc=cJ5aVHw2iOXfGM%253A%3BqczIQeNNK6qoaM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fecx.images-amazon.com%252Fimages%252FI%252F41DymH1wPML._SX300_.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FThe-Hil... » Read More Purchase a hook lock with a spring latch. Here is a picture of what it looks like. Simple, cheap and the raccoons cannot open it. https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site;=imghp&tbm;=isch&source;=hp&biw;=1366&bih;=610&q;=hook+with+spring+latch&oq;=hook+with+spri&gs;_l=img.1.0.0.2058.6066.0.7303.14.11.0.3.3.0.177.1061.9j2.11.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.14.1074.5qnTKvVOFt0#imgrc=cJ5aVHw2iOXfGM%253A%3BqczIQeNNK6qoaM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fecx.images-amazon.com%252Fimages%252FI%252F41DymH1wPML._SX300_.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FThe-Hillman-Group-592782-Safety%252Fdp%252FB00CR90ASY%3B300%3B215 « Show Less
882428
I plan on putting up reinforcent wire around the entire hutch and under it so nothing can dig under the building. I will also be putting a sturdier latch on the doors
882429
We've had raccoons try to get in the coop, but they haven't thought to use the door. They just try to dig underneath. (We've got screen mesh across the floor to prevent them from getting in underneath.) You can tighten the door latch to make it harder to twist.
2213668
Yes. We have had ours for 4 years and no raccoon break-ins. The pins lock up through the center of the door, so it cannot be opened from either side without the key tags.
1877098
It all locks up tight. I have raccons and opossums in my back yard, and my chickens are safe. Its not very weather resitant, when it rains the door for the chickens swells and is so hard to open and close. It got very annoying for me trying to close it up at night, i just gave up and left it open. But my chicken coop is inside of a dog run, which i found to be a better saftey option, and they cant eat my olants while i am away.
682153
The device is tightly sealed, so it would take a really smart, handy and strong raccoon to open it. I have not had issues with any animals around it. So far, it does not stink. Waiting for the warm weather to prove me wrong
841324
I picked up a ratchet strap (the kind used to tie things down to a truck) to secure the tree to my door. The straps are cheap at any hardware store (~$2) and come in a couple different colors. It isn't the most beautiful solution, but it keeps the whole thing stable and doesn't damage the door. My cats love this thing.
1588518
We live next to a wildlife refuge and are inundated with fox, raccoons, etc. and have never had a problem. The latch system that closes it is similar to what might be on a toolbox - you hook a metal loop over at protrusion and them push down the lever to secure - don't think even the clevest raccoon could manage that and the plastic is thick and off the ground so they'd have a hard time chewing through. We've had ours for about 2 years (even order a second one) and have never had a problem.
2126193
In !my opinion, yes it would be racoon-resistant due to the construction. However, I don't have any experience with raccoons, so I don't know for sure. One fact is they might be able to lift the cover, and get in that way.
1114929
As long as you haven't microchipped your backyard raccoons, they shouldn't be able to enter through this door. The battery-powered scanner releases a small white latch (see pic) when a microchip is within 2-3 inches or so. The is another latch --a round handle that twists and physically blocks the door from opening--and it is located in the lower right corner. It's well designed: twist to the left prevents the door from swinging one way; twist to the right prevents the door from swinging both ways. We really like this door, though the animals needed quite a long time to learn not to fear the sound of the latch opening, and not to fear the idea that they (for the first time in their little lives!) have the freedom to come and go as they please. Please make sure your pets are neutered before letting them out!! There is no need to contribute to the tragic population of millions of unwanted cats and dogs that we face today.
1804908
yes it would keep raccoons out you would have to put the wires so they could not crawl under it and put one so they could not crawl over it
118451
We have two in the woods in North Carolina. The only solution(after talking to Wild Birds Unlimited) in our area is to bring the feeders in at dark. The keeps the raccoons away. Everyone around here does it this way. I leave the hooks out. Ours locks pretty well. You could slip a strip of wood in the hole where the hook enters the bracket to get it some extra friction. Hope this helps.
810227
Nothing except a closed door would keep my cat out of a room. He's a climber/jumper and has no problem getting on the refrigerator! If yours is not that acrobatic, try stacking two gates. That worked for us when we had a climbing dog.
2032108
Yes. It might be a good ideal if keeping away from raccoons. That way they can't empty the container
263882
I think the lid would open way to easily for a raccoon. Maybe with a brick on to weight it down it would be ok.
934424
The doors are the same side on both sides but we taped the back one shut since it is on a lighted porch. Opening is pretty small for an adult raccoon. We don't put food in the cat house so never had a problem with raccoons or other interlopers. It's a great house, we have it with the electric heating element. Our older feral sober the whole long winter comfortably ensconsed!
182917
depending on the "predator" you are hoping to deter, instruction guide will give specifics as to measurements on a location. i am trying to keep racoons away. it says to put on all sides for best results, but that could be pretty costly. i put mine on the 2 sides most apt to be entered. so far so good. i really cant give a definite answer as i dont stay up all nite to watch for. but they are very bright and really do seem like they would do the job. i just put mine up with nails, as it has a place on it to hang them. sorry cant be more of a help....
934426
They are 5.5 inches if I remember correctly. Many predators can enter an opening of this size even a small raccoon. A fat raccoon won't be able to get his body inside. But we have had two reports of snoozing raccoons in the shelters. They love the warmth too. I would not be concerned about the size of the door and raccoons. If we only had one door it would be a problem and a cat could become trapped. Two doors eliminates that issue completely. If a predator comes a calling your cat will high tail it out the other door no problem. We have never had a report of a cat being trapped or eaten by a predator that entered any door. So don't buy anything with only one door or you might be sorry! Scott at Feline Furniture by Amazon.
293004
Lift latch on top of cage near entrance then depress the top spring located near the top of the door. I wouldn't worry too much about it tho , because the 1089 is complete junk and the coons and skunks easily get out of the cage as it's not strong enough material and simply strongarm their way they the trap door . Trust me William, don't buy this trap