Travis Audubon's catio tour spotlights growing trend
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Jacob Smigel's cats relax in a tunnel above his yard, part of a catio he built behind his Southwest Austin home. Photo: Courtesy of Jacob Smigel
At the Hill Country's edge, Jacob Smigel's cats pad across a cedar plank suspended 6 feet above ground, safely enclosed in a "catio," or cat patio — an increasingly popular addition for some homeowners.
The big picture: Smigel's backyard build is one of seven stops on this year's Travis Audubon catio tour, a self-guided event on March 21 that showcases enclosed outdoor cat spaces across Austin.
- Organizers say it's become easier to find hosts for the biennial tour in recent years as more homeowners build their own versions — from simple window boxes to elaborate, stand-alone structures.
What's happening: Smigel built the catio in one month using roughly 5,000 staples, rough-sawn cedar and a special-order roll of heavy-gauge mesh wire from McCoys. The goal was to give his cats 24-hour outdoor access without exposing them to coyotes, traffic and other dangers common in Southwest Austin.
- "We live at the gates of the Hill Country," he said. "If a cat got out at night, it could be bad, especially if they try to roam."
What they're saying: But cat safety is only part of the equation, according to Travis Audubon's Caley Zuzula.
- Domestic cats that roam outdoors are the No. 1 immediate threat to birds in the United States, Zuzula says, killing billions each year. Even well-fed pets retain their hunting instincts.
- "Cats can enjoy fresh air while being safe and secure — and it protects birds and other wildlife too," Zuzula tells Axios.
- She calls catios a "compromise" — a way to balance a pet's desire for stimulation with the need to protect wildlife.
Zoom in: Travis Audubon's mission is to inspire other homeowners to build their own catios and keep their cats from roaming, according to Zuzula.
- "Cats can live perfectly happy lives indoors, but if you feel like your cat has a desire to be outside, catios are a very good compromise," Zuzula says.
If you go: The tour, 10am to 3pm, is free, though registration is required to receive a map of participating homes.
- A suggested $10 donation enters attendees into a drawing sponsored by Austin Cat Sitters.
The bottom line: "We try to meet these cats in the middle," Smigel says. "We'll give you 24-hour access and you'll be safe."