We live in a third floor flat.

As summer spproaches, I'm increasingly wanting to open all the windows, but am worried about the kittehs...
Internet research tells me that there is quite a significant spike in injury rates in the summer due to cats falling/jumping off balconies etc and I obviously don't want this to happen to ours.

We've got one really big window, which both tilts and also swings open and a fair sized balcony (which we use for plants/bbqs) with patio doors.

I want to kitteh-proof the windows - I was considering sticking mosquito netting (or similar - I know you can get 'cat nets') over them so that we can still open the windows, but there will be no gaping hole for the cats to leap through - not sure whether this will work or whether it will just make them want to climp on/eat through the netting.

The balcony may be more difficult.
I'd like to let them out onto it - they love the sunshine and things, but don't really know how to cat-proof it to stop them jumping off after birds and things.
Again, you can get so-called balcony cat nets, but I'm not sure that they'd work very well on my balcony...
If we can't let them out, that's fine, but I'll need a way that we can leave the doors open (to stop us all overheating) without letting the kits out...

Does anyone have any ideas?
It can't just be us that has this problem...

My cats are lunatics.

They do love to sit and gaze out the cat flap for hours on end.

I have no idea what they may be looking for, I have no idea if they ever find it, but it always make me laugh when I see them.

It always start with both of them having a look.....

Then Scooter normally pushes forward to get a closer look at things and get an all round assessment of what is out there....

After a while, Vinnie will suddenly take matters into his own hands and make a mad dash for it, who cares if it is raining?!!!!

Once Vinnie escapes, Scooter will often carry on just sitting there, poking his head out occasionally, just waiting.

I love my cats, there are a never ending source of entertainment.

I'm upset.

I have two cats called Wookie and Yoda. We got them from Cats Protection when they were 8 weeks old, and they are now 2.5 years old. They are massive cats, with big personalities, and I love them to death.

I recently adopted an unwanted kitten of 6 months, thinking she would fit in really well with the rest of my managerie. Big mistake.

My cats are quite happy to accept her and have made overtures of friendship. Unfortunately, she is the kitten from hell where they are concerned and wants to be an 'only cat'. She attacks them, growls, hisses and lashes out with claws. My cats have taken to avoiding the place unless it is breakfast/dinner time.

Also, she is terrified of my dogs. She won't walk thru the house if they are within sight, and so has taken to peeing upstairs if she needs to get past them when the need arises. Not good. Upstairs - well, you can imagine - it stinks.

I think I am going to have to rehome her. She is miserable. She is losing weight and condition because of the stress she is under. My other animals can't see what her problem is. You can see it in their body language "What's your problem, idiot? Chill!"

Trouble is, I have fallen totally in love with her. My daughters can take or leave her because she doesn't seem to like little girls either, but my son loves her to bits and she enjoys him too.

I'm going to have to bite the bullet, aren't I, and let her go somewhere she can be Queen Kitty. No matter how much son and I love her, I guess I have to do what is right for her and let her go.

Am I doing the right thing? HELP!?!

Well, I may have mentioned that my border collie got castrated a week or so ago. Actually, I think it might be two weeks now. He is just over a year old, and had taken to wandering off round the countryside himself, and I was really worried he would get into the ewes and lambs in the next field and end up getting shot by the farmer, so we had him have the chop.

He's been fine since. Much less 'jumpy' and excitable (although he did attack one of my chickens the other day) but I am starting to worry about him a wee bit. He has lost weight - not a huge amount, he was always sleek - but enough for me to notice. Also, his fur is falling out. I know he sheds - what dog doesn't? - but he doesnt seem to be having a regrowth. The fur on his chest is really sparse now.

He is eating well, and is energetic enough. My pals reckon it is is hormones because he has lost his testosterone.

I'm concerned.

I am Kackers and I own a 60 litre BiOrb with a family of various fish in it...

One silly black Burmese rescued cat called Scooter, aged 3 years. He has been with me for 2 years and is a pain but great at the same time!!!!

One rescued fat black beast Called Vinnie, aged approx 4 years. He has an ongoing medical condition to do with bladder crystals, so is well known at the vets!!! He is on the road to perfect fitness now though. He has been my boy for 2 years.

Nice to see you all!!!!