"I'll build a stairway to Paradise, with a new step every day...!"

The 'O' Cats Stairway

Okay folks...it's ready!  The hubby, with very little assistance from me, measured and sawed, screwed and swore, and now I have what I have wanted for years!

My Cat Stairway!

Now...how the heck am I going to convince Patty and Sweetie to climb up to the second floor? Suggestions are welcome!

Step #1: Milk crate
Step #2: Shelf
Step #3: Wall Shelf
Step #4: Higher Wall Shelf
Step #5: Ramp
Step #6: Go up through hole!
Step #7: Walk through cat flap

Step #1: Milk Crate
Step #2: Shelf
Step #3: Wall Shelf
Step #4: Higher Wall Shelf

Step #5: Ramp

Cat Flap, from interior

Hole in balcony, for cat egress

Look down ramp from hole in balcony

So far, using kibble only, I've encouraged Patty O'Malley to Step #4. Sweetie has gone as far as Step #2.  If Patty has already jumped up to Step #2 or #3, Sweetie won't leave the deck at all.  So, we have a long way to go.  Almost every night, I turn on the outside light, step out on the balcony, and call to the cats.  Patty often jumps onto the feeding station, in his attempt to get closer to me.  Then, I go back inside, walk through the house and out the front door, to appear on the deck.  I coax Patty and Sweetie using kibble to jump up.  I cannot seem to show them the connection between the balcony and food...yet.  I may have to devise some kind of bowl on a string, and slide it up and down the ramp, to get them interested.  I feel that if I can get a cat on the ramp and moving upward, then I'm golden!  Again, any suggestions...?!?

Once they've navigated the stairway, and gone through the cat flap, the one-time kitchenette will become their sanctuary.  It will be closed off from the rest of the house, so inside and outside cats will ne'er meet.

P.S. Please excuse how messy things look.  The hubby made the stairs using found items around his workshop.  He does not believe I can coax the 'O' cats up the stairs, but is willing to let me try whatever I want to...because he knows I won't stop...never...until I've achieved my goal: Patty and Sweetie inside.  WHEN they are comfortable coming in and out, then we'll spruce everything up with paint and other niceties.