I got a camera to watch my cats when I was out of the house, but to get it to reliably trigger when they walk across the floor, I needed to put it at the edge of the shelf.
That posed a problem. Not only is the edge of the shelf a dangerous place to put a camera, it is also right above one of the cat water bowls.
It’s not like that shelf is a low-traffic location, either. It’s a key access point to one of the only windows in the house that faces west. That window features some good bird watching, too, so it has always been a regular hangout for all of the cats.
I remembered reading about a special, removable putty you could use to hold objects in place, so I did a few searches and found Quake Hold museum putty. Maybe everyone in California already knows about this, but those of us in Florida never got the memo about this stuff.
So for folks who never heard of museum putty, it’s inexpensive stuff used by museums and I guess people who live in earthquake-prone areas to keep knickknacks from falling down. It isn’t much to look at. It’s an off-white putty you work with your fingers to soften.
You can work it to whatever shape you need to fit under the base of your breakable object, then smush the object you want to stay put down onto it and let it cure for 24 hours. That’s pretty much it.
For my camera, instead of round dots of the putty, I made a little putty snake and fit it around the base of the camera before smushing the camera down into it. I was worried that there might not be enough surface area of the camera in contact with the putty, but it has stayed put for a month now.
Since the putty started helping keep the camera in place, the camera has seen a lot of traffic, especially from Ashton. Video taken from the camera shows her jumping up and down directly next to the camera, often close enough that you can hear her rub against the camera as she jumps. It also captures her sitting directly next to the camera, pressing against it in ways that would have dislodged it if it hadn’t been secured.
Ashton isn’t shy at all about leaning on the camera, even when she knows she is being watched. If it wasn’t held in place somehow, I’m sure the camera would have toppled by now, probably while I was taking this photo.
Thank goodness for Quake Hold! It costs under five dollars, and I can’t believe it has taken me this long to find out about it. Hopefully some of you reading will break a few less knickknacks or other valuables now that you know about it, too.
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Fur Everywhere says
August 21, 2017 at 1:25 amWow, I’d never heard of this stuff, either! What a great idea. I’m glad to know it works so well.
The Dash Kitten Crew says
August 21, 2017 at 2:02 amWe think Museum Putty should be standard issue to every house here in NZ, tax free. If its not puttied down its bolted to the wall MOL!!!
Summer says
August 21, 2017 at 3:09 amOh yes, we Californians know all about museum putty! Oddly enough, my human doesn’t have any, although we have quite a few knickknacks around. She needs to get on the ball – who knows when The Big One will strike?
The Island Cats says
August 21, 2017 at 7:13 amThe mom has used regular tape or duct tape to hold stuff down when she needs to. But this stuff would definitely work much better. Thanks for telling us about it.
Edie Chase says
August 21, 2017 at 8:08 amI see Ashton is doing her best to try and knock that camera down. 🙂
Linda says
August 21, 2017 at 8:23 amI have used this stuff for years now. It works great and has eliminated a lot of breakage!
Random Felines says
August 21, 2017 at 8:23 amwell that is interesting….mom wishes she knew about it before some kitten with a racing stripe broke some stuff 🙂
caren gittleman says
August 21, 2017 at 8:32 amNever heard of this! Very cool! Thanks for testing with the camera too. I am assuming those of us not in Earthquake zones can only get it online?
William's Kith & Kin says
August 21, 2017 at 9:46 amWe know about this stuff–our mom got some after *somebody* knocked the stereo to the floor. And a statuette on the sideboard.
Hey, maybe we could use it on Ivan to give Caroline some peace!
Melissa & Mudpie says
August 21, 2017 at 10:32 amThat’s so great! I had never heard of it either.
Three Chatty Cats says
August 21, 2017 at 10:35 amOh, I could put that to good use over here. I’m in California and surprisingly haven’t heard of it!
da tabbies o trout towne says
August 21, 2017 at 11:18 amguyz…that iz grate stuff !!! pal A… toll pal E… who toll pal S… ta tell uz bout it 🙂 ♥♥ { tho it waz afturr cat B knocked an ancient relic ta de floor…….ooopz ! }
Timmy says
August 21, 2017 at 11:19 amThanks fur this info
We are moving to new digs and Dad wants to put his “stuff” out and was worried abut this same thing. Guess he will be putty man for a bit MOL
Timmy and Family
Eastside Cats says
August 21, 2017 at 11:55 amWow! That stuff sounds like it’s purrfect!
Brian Frum says
August 21, 2017 at 12:25 pmWe never heard of that stuff either. I wonder if it would work to hold Brother Simon still for a while?
Ellen Pilch says
August 21, 2017 at 8:24 pmMust be a California secret because I never heard of that putty in Massachusetts. Glad it worked 🙂 Smile kitties, you are on candid camera 🙂
Cathy Keisha says
August 21, 2017 at 8:56 pmAunt Pauline told us about this stuff a long, long time ago but we’ve never needed it so we wouldn’t think of telling anyone else. She has tons of knick knacks and stuff. I think Cat Claws used to sell it.
mommakatandherbearcat says
August 22, 2017 at 11:32 amThat first picture looks like Cupcake’s trying to camouflage herself with the camera 😉
I’ve never heard of this product … but I’ve certainly experienced my fair share of Bear knocking things off (which is why all surfaces he can reach are empty). I’m going to try this! Thank you!
Andrea and the Celestial Kitties says
August 22, 2017 at 11:52 amI bet if Ashton put her mind to it, she could get that thing knocked over.. hee hee, not that we’re daring her too or anything!
Lola The Rescued Cat says
August 22, 2017 at 8:16 pmI’ve never heard of this stuff! I need to invest in some because many of my things topple over, including the Petcube.
Raven says
August 22, 2017 at 8:28 pmGreat tip. We just don’t put stuff on the counters that we don’t want knocked over.
Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens says
August 24, 2017 at 2:25 pmthe big question is, how easy is it to remove.. say if you want to move the camera somewhere else?
The Swiss Cats says
August 25, 2017 at 10:44 amWhat a smart idea ! Purrs