Is this a novel idea in Australia? They're pretty common around here (PNW US). I first came across the idea about 10 years ago when a friend built a catio for their cats. I built a one for Ozzy this summer. We don't let our cats outside unattended, but he was constantly pawing at the patio door and meowing. Any time someone went out there, he would try to squeeze through. We tried a harness and leash but he absolutely hates it and just lies on his belly until we take it off. So I built a little enclosure up against a window in our TV room. It doesn't have a large footprint but it's about 7 feet tall and has platforms on multiple levels. He has access through a pet door I mounted in a chunk of plywood that fits in the window. He loves it. Spends hours in there nearly every day. Our other cat stuck her head out the door once for about 5 minutes, and has shown zero interest since. 🤣

I built mine from scratch materials, but there are lots of prefab kits available these days.

[–] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I would like to see pictures of your window cat box

[–] IamSparticles@lemmy.zip 12 points 2 months ago

[–] FooBarrington@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

And some of your cats please

[–] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Cat pictures? On the internet?!

[–] FooBarrington@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Cat feet pictures are also acceptable!

[–] arrowMace@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

No, catios are pretty common in Australia, but a lot of people do just let their cats roam outside too (at least here in NSW). I'm not sure why this was news, maybe because it's quite elaborate, or they just needed more cute cat content.

[–] snoons@lemmy.ca 14 points 2 months ago

> "It started with two rescue cats, then we made the mistake of going back to the rescue place,"

LOL I've been there, but we ended up with two dogs and three cats. Luckily we had enough space inside for them to run about, though we still toyed with the idea of making a catio. Lacked the time to do it unfortunately... this guys creation was the dream though!

[–] Peck@lemmy.world 13 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Are catios not common? Audubon society in Portland has yearly tour of them in Portland. https://www.feralcats.com/catio

[–] Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

Very common in SoCal as well.

[–] deacon@lemmy.world 12 points 2 months ago (2 children)

So is seven, like, excessive then?

Asking for me.

[–] JohnEdwa@sopuli.xyz 4 points 2 months ago

Yes. Two is the maximum for a very simple reason:

[–] RebekahWSD@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

"One cat is fine because they're solitary creatures. Two cats is better because they are social creatures. The third cat is the watershed cat. Then you just keep having more cats" my mother, quoting I have no idea.