Cat Flap for Postie

[wolf63]

I plan to start a small business from home which would mean me receiving regular parcels containing books.

There is nowhere to safely leave the books outside so I was planning on putting in a dog/cat flap in the door that the postie could use.

Is this a good idea for delivery or can some DIY expert come up with a better idea.

[divegirl]

Hi, I would have thought that the problem with that idea is that if someone can put things in....then someone can also take things out! What about a lockable post box secured to the outside of the house, you may need a larger than average one, but it would be safer.

Lisa x

[divegirl]

...and because I was bored.....

http://www.mailboxesdirect.co.uk/shop/?MMCF_Ad words&gclid=CNbjxca874gCFS1aMAodwy11iw

...some are a little expensive though...

Lisa x

[wolf63]

Lisa - thought about the post box (which is a good idea) but it is a second floor flat. Does the postie have a master key or something?

My other problem was if the packages can get in my new - soon to be adopted - kittie could get out. I live in a city centre and an outdoor kittie wouldn't last long.

My neighbours are out and about all day. Maybe the pusscat will be a lady cat and be intelligent enough to answer the door and take the package in. My dog tried to take mail off the postie a couple of times - but that is another story altogether!

[wolf63]

Lisa - thanks for that. You are as sad as me - sometimes I find myself looking for things on the web to answer a query that I have no interest in. I will see if any of them will do - it will solve a major problem. I still have loads of little ones though!

[divegirl]

lol....if I get another bored momment i see if I can find anything else.

Lisa x

[dasherman]

As a postman myself I'd say it was a great idea.I could be wrong but I think catflaps can open either one way or the other or both ways,so it would open for the postman but not for the cat.Although it's best to check that out before you buy.

[wolf63]

dasherman - thanks for your input.

Are posties trained NOT to put their hand through the letterbox with the mail? My last dog grabbed the mail as it came through the door and the postie got one hell of a fright (and scuffed knuckles).
Robbie had grabbed the post so strongly that his teeth had gone right through all the letters.
The postie didn't report him, which was nice of him. Robbie was a postie hater, and even knew them out of uniform.
Do you get postie hating cats?

[dasherman]

I have never actually been trained not to do that but I suppose it's common sense and you certainly learn to be careful very quickly.
Having the mail grabbed by a dog on the other side of the door is a common occurance for most posties,there are probably 3 or 4 houses on every round,but if you have a regular postman he would probably know who has the dogs and who hasn't.
But I've never heard of cats that do it.

[willowman]

You could set up a system whereby the mail is kept at the Post Office for you to collect at your convenience, ie a PO Box. This would not only ensure the mail was safe but it would mean the poor old postie would not be weighed down by parcels of books every day. As a former postie I've been there and it can get blooming heavy ( and frustrating) every day.
Pop into your local delivery office and have a chat, they should be very helpful - especially if it means less to deliver each day!