# Automated Cat Flap **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions & Help\ **Created:** [September 10, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486 "2018-09-10T18:24:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Caros](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/caros/32/12410_2.png) [@Caros](https://community.homey.app/u/Caros)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/1 "2018-09-10T18:24:03Z")
Hi all, Since a while I’m thinking about automating a cat flap, but I have no idea where to start… Hopefully somebody can help me, or point me towards the right directions. **Situation** The cat flap is NOT going to be placed outside, but inside. So it is not necesary to have RFID chips checked. The cat is not allowed into the living room when we are not at home. When we are at home the cat is allowed into the living room. Nowadays have the door open, but with winter coming this will give use some draft (i mean cold air flowing, not sure if this is the proper English word for it). Since (my own build) presence detection is working perfectly, this can be easily build into flows. **The Challenge** The challenge is to have a cat flap which can be remotely managed. Preferably 4 settings: Closed, Open, Only in, Only out. But with only open I’m happy to. **Solution possibilities** This is the point where I’m stuck. I prefer Z-wave above Wi-Fi, but most of the sensors are fore measuring and not for controlling something. Also the fibaro binary sensor needs an input before output can be triggered. I am also familiar with Arduino programming, but am lacking the electrical possibilities. Thinking about a electrical magnet or something… Anyone any ideas to point me towards a direction?😃 ---
**Author:** ![HansieNL](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/hansienl/32/10634_2.png) [@HansieNL](https://community.homey.app/u/HansieNL)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 6:40pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/2 "2018-09-10T18:40:07Z")
Have you checked [here](https://www.kattenluiken.nl/) already? They advertise to have more than 100. ---
**Author:** ![Caros](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/caros/32/12410_2.png) [@Caros](https://community.homey.app/u/Caros)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/3 "2018-09-11T15:28:31Z")
@HansieNL thanks for your reply. I’ve searched there but it is all stand alone. I’m really looking for integration. For example: there are cat flaps which react on a magnet which cat’s are wearing. Would it work if I build something with an electro magnet, which I put close to the cat flap and which is working on the moments I want. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_de\_Vries](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_de_vries/32/305_2.png) [@Peter\_de\_Vries](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_de_Vries)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/4 "2018-09-11T16:59:59Z")
Continuing the discussion from [Automated Cat Flap](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486): Maybe this? ---
**Author:** ![Caros](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/caros/32/12410_2.png) [@Caros](https://community.homey.app/u/Caros)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/5 "2018-09-11T17:54:18Z")
I have looked into that one, but I’m not sure if I want to connect it directly to the internet this way. Also they don’t seem to have an public API available (yet): [Link](https://community.home-assistant.io/t/sureflap-connect-pet-door/41488). So it’s not possible to connect it to Homey right now. ---
**Author:** ![Smarthome](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/smarthome/32/646_2.png) [@Smarthome](https://community.homey.app/u/Smarthome)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2018, 3:25am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/6 "2018-09-12T03:25:43Z")
Very interesting! One solution that comes to mind would be to add a z-wave (low-voltage) dual relay module and two 24V door strikes. The door strikes would live on each side of the flap which in turn would be actuated by the dual relay. So you could easily have one of either side open/both sides open/or both sides closed. ---
**Author:** ![Caros](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/caros/32/12410_2.png) [@Caros](https://community.homey.app/u/Caros)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 3:32pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/7 "2018-09-16T15:32:16Z")
Thanks for your response, I have been thinking about that as well, but then I have to manually make the cat flap. I prefer (sorry I think I’m a little bit picky here), to reuse the parts of an existing cat flap. I’m really inspired by this one: [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSuvVPZhYCo) If something like that is the base, then adding a Z-wave or Arduino shoudn’t be the hard part. An other idea was, using a cat flap which react on magnets (which the cats are wearing around the neck). Then ‘fake’ this magnet by adding a electro magnet near the sensor which is on on the moments they are allowed to pass and off when they arent. Only problem there is, that smart cats seem to open these things from the outside: [Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4fmXJbIdKQ) ---
**Author:** ![KGroenhoej](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/kgroenhoej/32/941_2.png) [@KGroenhoej](https://community.homey.app/u/KGroenhoej)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 6:38am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/8 "2018-09-17T06:38:19Z")
A solution could be based on Bluetooth iBeacon e.g. “Happy Bubbles” (or similar solutions) - but it’s not possible to buy at the moment. Look at [Happy Bubbles](https://www.happybubbles.tech/presence/detector) ---
**Author:** ![HansieNL](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/hansienl/32/10634_2.png) [@HansieNL](https://community.homey.app/u/HansieNL)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/9 "2018-09-26T00:03:27Z")
[KittyCam - Building a Raspberry Pi Camera with Cat Face Detection in Node.js](https://girliemac.com/blog/2015/12/25/kittycam-raspberrypi-camera-cat-face-recog-nodejs/) ---
**Author:** ![Tangodelta](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/tangodelta/32/9471_2.png) [@Tangodelta](https://community.homey.app/u/Tangodelta)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 1:24pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/10 "2019-08-19T13:24:23Z")
I have installed a microwave-system in the tunnel, so if the wrong cat enters without the correct ID-tag, well then it`s fried cat on the menu! ---
**Author:** ![Koktail](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/koktail/32/51498_2.png) [@Koktail](https://community.homey.app/u/Koktail)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2020, 6:43pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/12 "2020-01-09T18:43:39Z")
If you are interested in the Sureflap products, I am building an app for that: [Sure Petcare App - (Sureflap Pet Door/Sureflap Cat Flap)](https://community.homey.app/t/sure-petcare-app-sureflap-pet-door-sureflap-cat-flap/24127) ---
**Author:** ![Dijker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Dijker](https://community.homey.app/u/Dijker)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/13 "2020-01-09T18:55:50Z")
Pls continue in the new topic. This one is closed ---
**Author:** ![Dijker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Dijker](https://community.homey.app/u/Dijker)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/automated-cat-flap/1486/14 "2020-01-09T18:55:54Z")
Closed on January 9, 2020, 6:55pm UTC