Travis Audubon recently hosted its sixth annual catio tour, an event designed to raise funds and awareness about the impact of cats on local bird populations. The tour highlights innovative, enclosed outdoor spaces for cats, known as catios.

What is a Catio?

A catio is an outdoor, yet enclosed, space designed for cats. Jacob Smigel’s backyard features a ten-foot wooden frame covered in welded metal wire, complete with a slanted metal roof, a cat walk extending to a tree, and a small pet door. Inside, the structure boasts carpeted shelves and a large wooden cat tree, providing a safe and enriching environment for his three cats: Teddy, Quinn, and Clover.

Protecting Birds from Cat Predation

The catio tour is a key initiative by Travis Audubon, an Austin-based bird conservation nonprofit, to discourage the practice of allowing cats to roam freely outdoors. “We think cats are great pets,” said program director Caley Zuzula. “This is us trying to speak to cat owners and think about the effects that keeping your cats outdoors can have on wildlife.”

The Impact on Wildlife

While feral cats contribute significantly to bird deaths, even well-fed housecats exhibit natural hunting instincts. “Even if they are well-fed cats, they are playing out their natural instinct,” Zuzula explained. “They really like to go for birds.” Grant Sizemore, director of Invasive Species Programs, noted that Texas is a major migratory route for birds, making them particularly vulnerable.

Ground-nesting birds, such as lark sparrows, bobwhite quail, and plovers, are especially at risk. Sizemore also highlighted the “ecology of fear,” where the mere presence of a cat can disrupt bird behavior and reduce their time spent feeding their young.

Inspiring Cat Owners

This year’s tour attracted an estimated 350 attendees, including Rachel and Jonah Jackson, who were seeking inspiration for their own catio project. “We have three cats and they’re all named after food,” Rachel Jackson shared, referring to Marshmallow, Peanut, and Rotten Banana. The Jacksons are considering integrating a catio into their existing pergola.

Safety and Security

Beyond bird conservation, catios also protect cats from dangers like coyotes and wandering off. Nicolette Pink, married to Jacob Smigel, recounted the loss of a previous Bengal cat, Shadow, who disappeared while exploring outdoors. “It protects them from coyotes, which we have a lot of,” Pink stated.

The catio tour also has a heartwarming side. Pink adopted Quinn and Clover after meeting their foster parent at a previous tour. This year’s event successfully raised $2,200 for Travis Audubon, ensuring the continuation of their vital conservation work.