Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Building a Catio/Outdoor Cat Enclosure

    Posted 08-18-2018 02:55 PM

    Hi everyone!  We're in the process of looking at building a catio/outdoor cat enclosure at our shelter.

     

    My question revolves around building materials and disinfecting.  We're trying to figure out what the best materials would be for building the enclosure that would still be able to be disinfected, and I'm having a heck of time finding any information on this.  I've had at least one shelter tell me that they just do their best and assume their catios aren't going to be as clean as other areas of the shelter but that doesn't feel super great.  I've looked through the usual resources (Koret Shelter Medicine, ASPCAPro, etc.) and can't find anything about building materials for this type of outdoor space.

     

    I also want to make sure that whatever we're using can hold up long term to disinfectants.  I would love to hear from anyone who has a catio at their shelter or is also considering building one with their thoughts!  Thanks all!


    #OrganizationalManagement


  • 2.  RE: Building a Catio/Outdoor Cat Enclosure

    Posted 08-18-2018 03:30 PM

    We just finished a catio at our shelter. Feel free to shoot me an email at wrichardson@waysidewaifs.org and I can get you in contact with my team members.


    #OrganizationalManagement


  • 3.  RE: Building a Catio/Outdoor Cat Enclosure

    Posted 08-19-2018 10:18 AM

    Our shelter was lucky to have catios build by an Eagle Scout who used painted, untreated lumber and galvanized chicken wire. We were going to use Trex decking but it was far more costly. Both materials can be disinfected with a solution of 1 to 10 bleach. Our routine is to spray all surfaces in the morning with the bleach solution and at night remove all bedding and toys for cleaning. Once a month the entire catio is sprayed (from outside) with Simply Green followed by a good rinse with the garden hose. The catios are holding up well after 4 years (and we get nasty winters).  This is on the back of the shelter but the one on the front is double in size. 

    I can't remember where I buried this image. Sorry for the inconvenience!

    #OrganizationalManagement


  • 4.  RE: Building a Catio/Outdoor Cat Enclosure

    Posted 08-20-2018 02:37 PM

    This is absolutely wonderful! It is always nice to have The Eagle Scouts volunteer their time and make such wonderful things. 


    #OrganizationalManagement


  • 5.  RE: Building a Catio/Outdoor Cat Enclosure

    Posted 08-20-2018 07:03 AM

    At Humane Society Silicon Valley in CA, we are upgrading our Community Cat Garden. We have an existing one that we'd be happy to share some info on (like the escape-free fencing), but you're likely to get more good info about the materials we will be using in our upgrade. You can email me at stephanie.ladeira@hssv.org to get hooked up with the team that is overseeing the project.


    #OrganizationalManagement


  • 6.  RE: Building a Catio/Outdoor Cat Enclosure

    Posted 08-20-2018 08:31 AM

    Hello ! We took it a step further and installed a concrete floor (DO NOT PAINT, the paint will chip hold) We used nit proof screening and use paint rollers to clean the screen on both sides monthly. We also had our alarm company install sensors in case anyone tried to cut the screen. Our area is approx 12ft by 15 ft and offer 24/7 access for cats in a communal room that have been within our care for more than 2-3 weeks. We only place adult cats in this room, no kittens. So far, we have not had any major issues, we have had this area for close to 8 years now. If you have further questions, you can email me via pam@ral.org


    #OrganizationalManagement


  • 7.  RE: Building a Catio/Outdoor Cat Enclosure

    Posted 08-21-2018 09:57 AM

    We also have a catio similar to this. Ours was built at the same time as our current building, which was about three years ago now. The floor is concrete with a drain so that it can be easily cleaned with a sprayer. We have a mesh screen on the outside of the catio windows to keep the bugs out and hardware cloth on the inside to prevent the cats from getting to the mesh. We also only put adult cats out there, and we also have an alarm, plus the door going out to the catio locks, so even if someone did get in through the windows they'd have to pick the lock to get in.


    #OrganizationalManagement


  • 8.  RE: Building a Catio/Outdoor Cat Enclosure

    Posted 12-02-2022 09:50 AM
    We built a catio for the Grass Valley Animal Shelter. Requirements were NO WOOD and fully able to be disinfected. We used their existing concrete kennels, fixed the chain link, added additional wire, sun shade. We got creative with perches using
    our solution to catio surfaces that can be disinfected.
    we used metal brackets drilled into cement wall to install cutting board perches
    they seem to like them!


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    susan brandt
    Rational Animal
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  • 9.  RE: Building a Catio/Outdoor Cat Enclosure

    Posted 12-05-2022 10:43 AM
    Hi Heather,

    Check out Best Friends Animal Society - their website has photos of their Sanctuary Cat World enclosures, and I'm sure someone there would be able to provide info if you email or call them.

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    Karen Martiny
    Executive Director
    Animal Rescue of the Rockies
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  • 10.  RE: Building a Catio/Outdoor Cat Enclosure

    Posted 12-05-2022 11:28 AM
    Our rescue does not have a brick and mortar facility but I volunteer at the Duke Lemur Center. Their outdoor enclosures are concrete floors with a drain and black powder-coated metal screens that have about 1/2" squares.
    Outdoor enclosures at the Duke Lemur Center


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    Paula Greeno
    Fluff Responders Animal Rescue
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