Camas-Washougal logo tag

Catios ‘purr-fect’ for felines, birds

Outdoor enclosures allow cats to enjoy nature, prevent predation on wildlife

By
timestamp icon
category icon Clark County, Environment, News
Craftsmen Jeramy Boik, left, and Michael Jaeger of Vancouver-based Catio Craftsman install a catio roof for a client Thursday in Northeast Portland. Adding a catio can help keep cats safe and reduce predation on birds and other wildlife. (Photos by Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Craftsmen Jeramy Boik, left, and Michael Jaeger of Vancouver-based Catio Craftsman install a catio roof for a client Thursday in Northeast Portland. Adding a catio can help keep cats safe and reduce predation on birds and other wildlife. (Photos by Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Craftsmen Jeramy Boik, left, and Michael Jaeger of Vancouver-based Catio Craftsman install a catio for a client Thursday in Northeast Portland. The outdoor enclosure lets cats enjoy the outdoors while keeping them, and wildlife, safe. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Craftsmen Jeramy Boik, left, and Michael Jaeger of Vancouver-based Catio Craftsman install a catio for a client Thursday in Northeast Portland. The outdoor enclosure lets cats enjoy the outdoors while keeping them, and wildlife, safe. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Master craftsman Michael Jaeger, left, walks next to tools Thursday during a catio install in Northeast Portland. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Master craftsman Michael Jaeger, left, walks next to tools Thursday during a catio install in Northeast Portland. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Varied thrush bird at Vancouver BC Canada

Varied thrush bird at Vancouver BC Canada

A curious kitty spends time in a catio at Furry Friends cat shelter in Vancouver on June 20, 2024. (amanda cowan/The Columbian files)

A curious kitty spends time in a catio at Furry Friends cat shelter in Vancouver on June 20, 2024. (amanda cowan/The Columbian files)

Michael Jaeger marks part of a roof to cut during a catio installation.

Michael Jaeger marks part of a roof to cut during a catio installation.

Jeramy Boik, left, and Michael Jaeger build a catio Thursday in Northeast Portland.

Jeramy Boik, left, and Michael Jaeger build a catio Thursday in Northeast Portland.

WEST HAZEL DELL — Hazel Dell resident Gloria Lionz wanted to keep her 9-year-old cat Apollo safe indoors but also allow him to experience and enjoy the outdoors. The neighbor’s cat often “tried to beat up my 18-pound loving boy,” Lionz said.

She saw an ad on Facebook for a catio — an outdoor enclosure that allows cats to be outside while staying safe and protecting local wildlife.

Thank you for reading the Post-Record.

Subscribe now to get unlimited access.

Already a subscriber? Sign in right arrow icon

Related Stories

An emerald ash borer. The invasive and destructive pest has been spotted in Vancouver, according to the Washington State Department of Agriculture. (Contributed photo) First emerald ash borer seen in Washington
August 27, 2026 Emily Jiang, a rising Camas High School senior, designed and built a floating island — a 4-by-7-foot raft planted with native wetland species — to help combat toxic blue-green algae blooms in Fallen Leaf Lake. (Contributed by Emily Jiang) Camas student’s project aims to tackle algae bloom in Fallen Leaf Lake
August 6, 2026 Although native to the Pacific Northwest, ghost shrimp have devastated hundreds of acres of oyster beds in Willapa Bay. The shrimp burrow into the sediment, turning firm sand into mud, leaving oysters living in the sand to sink down and suffocate. University of Washington scientist Jennifer Ruesink recently released her research findings for a new method of reducing ghost shrimp numbers in the bay that combines vibration and pressure. (Contributed by Washington Department of Ecology) Research shakes up oyster farming: UW professor strives to combat ghost shrimp using vibration, compaction
May 28, 2026