By Don Rose
Did you know that free roaming domestic cats are one of the top killers of our native birds? I love my cat, Phoebe, but she does not go outside other than on a leash. Another thing you can do as a cat owner is create a safe outdoor space for your cat by building a catio. You can purchase a prefabricated catio, obtain catio plans and build one yourself, or hire one of multiple contractors who build catios in our area. Simply search online for “catio” and the county you live in.
Bird Alliance of Oregon has co-hosted a Catio Tour in past years and this year’s Annual Catio Tour in Portland is on September 12,2026. This website is full of resources to get started on protecting your cat outdoors and conserving birds in your neighborhood. There are catio construction resources, companies that sell pre-made or inexpensive options, tips for protecting your cat, and an explanation of why it matters.
Do you already have a catio in Clark or Skamania Counties and would be interested in sharing your story on how your cats are faring? Please send a short description and photo of your cat and catio to drose@vancouveraudubon.org. It would be particularly nice if you had a good catio story to go with your description. We may share the information on our website or in the Columbia Flyway newsletter.