Busselton Men’s Shed is helping local cat owners transition their cats to be indoors and in catios to reduce injury and death to cats and local wildlife in the Geographe Bay Catchment.
The team at the Men’s Shed are collaborating with GeoCatch to inspire and upskill cat owners to create their very own Do-It-Yourself portable catios, which are suitable for standard homes and backyards. They have also been busy creating indoor cat enrichment toys to keep indoor and catio cats stimulated in their new environment.
GeoCatch Officer, Nicole Lincoln, says that contained cats reduce pressure on declining Western Ringtail Possum populations and other native wildlife.
“Catios and cat enclosures could be the answer to successful coexistence between wildlife, humans and domestic cats in our suburbs,” she said.
“Providing resources for cat owners to create their own catios reduces some of the cost barriers and allows them to get creative and build something suited to their individual cat’s needs.”
“Remember: my cat can’t roam, it’s safe at home,” said Nicole.
The Men’s Shed DIY catio will be showcased at a community catio and cat toy enrichment workshop later this year.
This project supports the Pets Away, Possum Play campaign and aligns with national and state-wide campaigns and attitudes delivered and supported by City of Busselton, Parks and Wildlife, RSPCA, Cat Protection Society: The Good Neighbour Project, SAFE, Victoria Zoo: Safe Cat Safe Wildlife, and other local government responsible pet ownership campaigns, aimed at reducing predation of native wildlife by cats.
This project is supported by the South West Catchments Council, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
