Do you love both cats and birds? Build a ‘catio’ to keep them both safe
- Redbud Audubon Society
- Posted On
Editor’s note: This is part of a series of articles on creating a bird-friendly community in Lake County as part of Bird Appreciation Month.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Predation by domestic cats is the No. 1 direct, human-caused threat to birds in the United States and Canada.
In the United States alone, outdoor cats kill approximately 2.4 billion birds every year.
Although this number may seem unbelievable, it represents the combined impact of tens of millions of outdoor cats.
Seven thousand years ago, the European and African wild cat was domesticated to reduce the number of rats and mice that resided in settlements.
Over time, the process of domestication changed the wild cat into a separate species: domestic or house cat (Felis catus).
Today’s domestic cats have four classifications: Indoor, limited-range, free-range or community and feral. Feral cats have no owners.
In Lake County all dogs and cats should have attached to its body a current license tag. And if someone feeds community or feral cats it is unlawful unless that person first obtains from the director of Animal Control a cat colony permit (free roaming and/or confined cats) and agrees to three conditions: 1) water/feed 2) spayed, neutered, rabies vaccinated all 8 weeks and up and ear clipped 3) testing for FIV/FELV and take action for the infected cats.
Show your cat how much it is loved, and at the same time protect birds and wildlife, by providing fresh air and outdoor enrichment in a “catio” or cat enclosure/patio. Life expectancy for an indoor cat can reach 15 years compared to a feral cat’s three to five years.
A catio, or cat patio, allows your cat to explore the sights, sounds and smells of the great outdoors.
Anyone with a window can have a catio. The window box catio is a good choice for single-cat homes and for owners just beginning to dip their toes into the world of catio living.
A balcony catio, porch catio or an outdoor run all could be exciting for your favorite feline. There are even pop-up and portable catios.
You can find ideas in so many styles – simple to unbelievably extravagant at retailers and on-line.
Here are a few sites you might enjoy:
How to build a catio plans: https://spca.bc.ca/news/how-to-build-a-catio, www.catiospaces.com, www.homedepot.com, www.habitathaven.com and www.purrfectfence.com.