Local cat owners gathered recently at Peppermint Grove Beach for a successful DIY Catio Building Workshop, delivered by GeoCatch in partnership with the Shire of Capel, with funding from the State NRM Program.
With growing interest in responsible pet ownership, an increasing number of cat owners are choosing to keep their pets safely contained in catios — fully enclosed outdoor structures that connect to the home, allowing cats to enjoy the outdoors while keeping native wildlife safe.
“Everyone benefits from catios,” said Nicole Lincoln, Project Officer at GeoCatch. “They keep cats and native wildlife safe, reduce vet bills, and help improve relationships between neighbours.”
Participants heard from Dr Heather Crawford, a cat behaviouralist from Murdoch University, who explained how good catio design supports both the physical and mental enrichment of cats, contributing to longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Local businesses Cat Runs WA and South West Cat Enclosures demonstrated the practical side of catio building, showing participants how simple and affordable a DIY catio can be when tailored to suit a home’s available space.
Workshop attendees also heard first-hand from Barry and Lenie Loveday, local cat owners who shared their experience building a catio using the publicly available Catio Rebate.
One participant shared that her biggest takeaway from the event was learning “just how simple it really is to protect both wildlife and cats by installing a DIY catio”.
GeoCatch is proud to lead the way in cat containment initiatives, which are gaining momentum across Western Australia.
“Cat owners who are already choosing to contain their cats are ahead of the curve,” said Nicole, referencing Premier Roger Cook’s recent announcement to strengthen WA’s cat laws and give local governments greater power to enforce containment.
“We’re extremely pleased with the turnout and engagement at these workshops. It’s clear that residents and surrounding communities are committed to being responsible cat owners,” she added.
The DIY Catio Workshop is part of a broader cat containment initiative being delivered by GeoCatch in collaboration with the Shire of Capel, City of Busselton, Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, and Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup.
A $200 Catio Rebate is currently available to residents in these areas to help cover the cost of building or installing a catio.
For more information or to register for the rebate, visit geocatch.asn.au or call 0491 069 078.
Feature photo: Catio Workshop Team, from left: Nicole Lincoln GeoCatch, Jason Mansfield South West Cat Enclosures, Kathleen Cat Runs WA, Michelle Dilkes Capel Shire, Tom Capel Shire, Chris Cat Runs WA and Dr Heather Crawford Cat Behaviouralist.
Photo top: Catio Workshop presenters Jason Mansfield from South West Cat Enclosures and GeoCatch Officer Nicole Lincoln.
Photo bottom: Catio Workshop participants and door prize winners at the event.
