David and Mary really made the most of a small space and a tiny budget when they created this treetop catio for their cats in Austin, Texas. They started with a 4 x 7 foot balcony nestled in the trees. Using only $75 of materials, they built lightweight walls, screened it in with sturdy plastic netting, and added a plastic tarp roof cover for shade and light rain protection. Since the walls are stone and the exterior door is metal, they couldn’t add a kitty door, so they just leave the door open for the cats who love to sit on the ledges and watch the squirrels and birds…just out of reach in the trees. Deer passing through the yard just below the balcony provide additional entertainment.

Jamaka and her husband created an elaborate cat enclosure on this property in the Mojave desert. They started by enclosing the outdoor area next to the 4-stall stable, but they didn’t stop there. They insulated two of the stalls, poured a concrete slab which was covered with all-weather boat deck carpeting, installed cat doors for indoor/outdoor access, and they even went so far as to install a swamp cooler and misters for the summer months and a heater to keep it nice and toasty in the winter. Elevated sleeping cubicles and a corner multi-level platform add extra spots for perching and napping to these special accommodations.

Back at the house, they added a catio for the indoor crew. Cat doors allow easy access and a 3-perch climbing structure along with rugs, pillows, and a variety of toys and interactive exercisers complete the environment. A perfect desert oasis for some very lucky cats!

After Russ and Laura moved into this cozy little house in Kanab, Utah, they acquired a few new furry household members, so they added on not one, not two, but three awesome catios to accommodate their growing family. First, they enclosed the front porch by extending a half wall to the ceiling with welded wire mesh. There is also a 10 foot by 10 foot enclosed space that is 14 feet tall. This one is the cats’ favorite. And finally there is a 10 foot by 30 foot space that started off as a jump-proof dog run but turned out to be quite popular with both the dogs and cats. What an awesome way to make sure that everyone has plenty of room to coexist.

I was first introduced to the term “catio” at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Best Friends is the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the United States, and they house hundreds of cats at a time in what they call Cat World. As you would expect, this is the place to find some of the best catio design around.

The cats live is beautiful houses designed especially for them. Each house is divided into multiple interior rooms and each room has its own attached catio. The catio spaces are enclosed with heavy-duty metal framing and wire mesh. Each catio is filled with a variety of climbing structures, scratching surfaces, and napping spots.

The cats can easily go back and forth between the catio and their indoor room, which is also fitted with climbing shelves, windowsills, and napping cubbies. There are many wonderful cats waiting to be adopted, so the next time you’re in southern Utah, stop by Cat World to see the catios and visits these fabulous felines.

Photos by Peter Wolf.

Amy and Erick built this fabulous “catararium,” as they call it, at their home in Seattle for their six permanent feline family members, plus the others that they foster for a local no-kill rescue. After building this enclosure and seeing the benefits that it provides, Amy and Erick have decided to start a business creating enclosures for others. A Room to Roam - Outdoor Cat Enclosures will launch in spring 2009, featuring custom cat enclosures as well as a freestanding, portable enclosure that’s perfect for use at apartments. What apartment manager could say no to that? Stay tuned for more details and a link to the company website, coming soon.

This incredible cat enclosure is packed with breathtaking features to make any cat (or human) as content as can be. Jeanette and Murray created this amazing space in their hometown of Albany in Western Australia. The enclosure includes a waterfall made from local stone with tunnels and a cave underneath. The pond and fountain are surrounded by tropical fig and palm trees, adding a touch of paradise. A spiral staircase, bridges, and overhead shelves give the cats plenty of places to run and play while the benches provide a comfy spot for people to share the space with these lucky felines. Read more about this heavenly oasis here.

Welcome to Sally’s Cat House, an elaborate cat enclosure built for Sally’s 16 rescued cats. Features include a sisal wrapped scratching pole, lots of carpeted shelves for climbing and napping, and even a water fountain (which has been removed due to the amount of maintenance required to keep it safe for drinking.)

Sally added a special access ramp from an upstairs window into the enclosure and a trap door that leads to the enclosed area under the deck. There are lots of great tips on building cat enclosures and links to related resources on Sally’s website.

This catio was created for Blue and Bessie at their home in Oregon. The 8′ x 5′ structure is framed in cedar and covered with heavy-gauge vinyl coated wire mesh.  A cat door into the house makes for easy access 24/7, which allows Blue and Bessie to bring in lots of little creatures as gifts for their people. Read more about this project here.

This spacious cat enclosure was built for Eileen’s lucky cats at their house in Minnesota. The thoughtful design includes easy access for humans as well as a tunnel leading from the house, across the deck and into the large enclosed area. Read all about Eileen’s project on her website.