Safe cat patios on display for Santa Cruz County Catio Tour

[KamaAina]

http://www.mercurynews.com/animal-life/ci_29733551/safe-cat-patios-display-santa-cruz-county-catio

"Catios" are patios for cats -- outdoor enclosures that keep frisky felines safe from cars and other hazards of the outside world, including coyotes and mountain lions in these parts. They keep native birds, reptiles and rodents safe too.

Patty Walters of Santa Cruz built one attached to her house so her three cats, Hugh, Mimi and Peaches, can enter it through her bedroom and bathroom windows. They hang out on wooden decks overlooking her backyard with connecting tunnels covered in wire mesh....

Her backyard catio is part of the upcoming Santa Cruz County Catio Tour 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event is organized by the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, Native Animal Rescue and the Santa Cruz Bird Club. Though free, donations are appreciated.

More than 10 local catios of different styles will be on exhibit during the self-guided tour. The aim is to show catios as a successful way to protect cats from predators and to keep cats from being predators themselves.

Purr-fect!

[KT2000]

1. Had my deck enclosed

the guys did a great job - the said they would put it in their portfolio!
I kept the roof part hardware cloth so kitties can experience the rain and snow too.

Actually, it has turned into a room for me too. I can go out there at night and look at the stars without fear someone is lurking in the bushes or something.

[KamaAina]

2. Kittehs don't like snow!

As you doubtless know if you live in snow country, a kitteh's gait in snow is step, shake the snow off, step, shake the snow off, rinse and repeat.

[KT2000]

4. Yep - it's funny!

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

3. Great to see this catching on! I fenced in my backyard w/ deerfence (black plastic mesh) on

7 foot poles - best thing I ever did! Cats love it and its really helped territorial issues between the 2. Some cats are OK with being indoors the rest of their lives - other really aren't .... particularly those like mine who had a life outdoors once (before I adopted them from shelter). Cost of materials for 100 ft of fence = less than $200.

[trueblue2007]

5. well i want to see the pictures. i can't go ... i live in oregon !!!