I love cat scratchers that have an architectural quality and The Sky Scratcher is a perfect example. This brand new concept for a cardboard cat scratching tower was developed by Mike Estes from Portland, Oregon. The Sky Climber measures a full 37″ tall and is a serious piece of sculpture that kitty can sink her claws into. 125 layers of corrugated cardboard stack on a bamboo plywood base and center pole creating a structure that is reminiscent of the architecture of the iconic Chicago skyline.
The cardboard pads are held together without any glues or adhesives, making it easy to replace the pads as needed. Renewable, replaceable, and recyclable – what more could you ask for?
The Sky Scratcher is launching with a Kickstarter campaign. If you’re not familiar with Kickstarter, it is a way to launch a new project by creating a campaign and gathering supporters to help fund the initial development. By contributing to a Kickstarted project, you are helping small companies start up or grow, plus contributors always get special perks. In the case of the Sky Scratcher, contributors can get hand screen printed postcards ($5 contribution), t-shirts ($20), or even one of the first Sky Scratchers as soon as they are available ($150). If you’re a retailer looking to sell the Sky Scratcher in your store, there’s even an option for you. Visit the Sky Scratcher Kickstarter page for all the details and to make a contribution today. There’s only one week left to show your support for this awesome new cat product!
December 14th, 2011 at 5:48 am
Living in Chicago, I absolutely love this. $150 is a little steep for me for a scratch post and how easy will it be to get refills?
December 14th, 2011 at 9:33 am
That is one of the coolest things I have ever seen!
December 14th, 2011 at 9:35 am
I love this idea – it looks very sturdy for my hearty gatos.
But I’ve learned from other vertical cardboard scratcher attempts that my cats won’t scratch it if the cardboard is laid horizontal like this is – it needs to run up and down.
Anyone else have that issue?
December 14th, 2011 at 9:43 am
Love this. I would order one immediately if the prices weren’t as high as the skyscraper. Great, great, idea. I want one.
December 14th, 2011 at 10:07 am
AWESOME IDEA! I know my cats would love this.
December 14th, 2011 at 10:13 am
Very cool and visually pleasing!!
December 14th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
As some of my family hailed from the Chicago area, this is very amusing to me, and a very stylish scratcher!
December 14th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
Hello everyone!
I’m the creator of The Sky Scratcher & greatly appreciate the kind words. With the launch of this Kickstarter program I’ll be creating a website that will make ordering full Sky Scratchers or replacement ‘floors’ very simple. The Prototype you see in the video & in the photos has had some abuse, but it’s very resilient to your cats abuse/usage.
Greatly appreciate your help, support & time & look forward to launching http://www.theskyscratcher.com early 2012!
Mike
December 14th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
I would buy one as well if it was more affordable.
December 15th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
$150 for something that size seems like a bargin to me. I’m in for one! These things are super cool!!!!
December 17th, 2011 at 10:12 am
My kitties love scratch towers. They would go crazy for this one.
December 21st, 2011 at 11:24 pm
Thanks to Moderncat and Kickstarter, this project is funded. As a backer, I am looking forward to receiving my Sky Scratcher in February. My Maine Coon, Orca is very long and big, so he needs a tall and sturdy scratcher that can withstand his scratching. I will post pictures when my Sky Scratcher arrives!
December 27th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
This is the coolest thing I have ever seen! I know my cat will love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 3rd, 2012 at 10:23 am
I lived there and it looks great for those long kitty stretches.
August 31st, 2012 at 4:53 pm
lol the cats in the video are really going at that scratch post!
December 9th, 2012 at 3:35 am
“This brand new concept for a cardboard cat scratching tower”
My grandmother had a cat scratch skyscraper in 1962!