We built this outdoor CATIO for our Gentle Souls Sanctuary cats...

This video covers the start to finish build of the outdoor catio for the rescue cats, who live here at Gentle Souls Animal Sanctuary in Arcadia, FL. We built the entire thing on camera and include the cats introduction footage to their new catio!!

[@lindaanderson7077]

This is really nice, a bit of fresh air and fun watching all oytdoir activities. ❤❤❤

[@GaiaCarney]

Great job! The cats seem to love it! You have a lovely country homestead, kept so nice & tidy 💚

[@wmhfv992]

What beautiful, grateful cats! Gentle Souls is such a perfect name for your sanctuary. So many sweet, gentle souls... Love to see the cats enjoying their space.

[@jdcaldon6147]

Mom and dad did good. The fur babies looked very happy with their catio.

[@Daniela_v29]

That's a very good idea for them to breath some fresh air but without being in danger. Congrats! 🙏🏻

[@lynnf62]

Nice job! Your kitties seem very happy! We are getting ready to build a Catio....I cant wait!!!

[@StarShaddow1]

Awww.. this was so much fun watching the cats come out into their new catio.

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

Thank you! We really enjoyed creating this for them and they absolutely LOVE laying in the sun every day now and watching the birds and squirrels :)

[@clayc124]

That turned out great & the cats seem to love it. The dogs look jealous!

[@lauralee2248]

They love it, great job guys, don't forget scratchers, toys and some string or rope !!

[@petehill8885]

am building one soon in Ireland, this is a very useful video, thx for posting it.

[@brotherskeeper100]

Nice. We have one similar. We ended up puting a roof on it. Makes them feel more secure, comfortable in the heat and has some weather protection. They seem to like it better.

[@MariE-go7ol]

Beautiful! I put scratchers and that cheap indoor outdoor carpet from Home Depot on the ledges . I just cut pieces to fit and if it’s going to rain I remove them. Great job!

[@vikkidyer]

This is great im going to do something like this for my cat as he has been poorly since birth as him and mum had cat flu. So I'm going to make one of these so he can get out in the fresh air xx

[@sarahmackenzie6389]

Your cats are so lucky!!! They can now go outside - and be safe - while enjoying the great outdoors. It looked to me that they thought the same thing. Do you work from a blueprint - or experience? Loved seeing Polly and Daisy in the background. Looks like they have settled in nicely. And, the resident supervisor, Zoomie Zoey, checking everything out. Your homestead is growing and always does so with much LOVE and CARE. Thanks for sharing once again.

[@OurCatioHome]

You are kind and generous to provide a safe home for your rescues!

[@nancywarner5782]

Good job, really nice & looks like your fur babies love it❣️

[@shellymtisza4319]

good one.. smilethat makes me happy

[@mondokane6364]

Great job! love it.

[@Musikkal11]

You both put so much work into this despite the weather and watching the cats come out to play was so rewarding, they were so happy. Great job!

[@catssmin]

Simple, clean, erfect!

[@deborahlovrich1718]

Love 💕 it

[@kaymorgan9568]

How nice they love it

[@karinandlarryathome8711]

Love the build and the fact you did it together. See our build at Karin and Larry at Home. Take care, Larry

[@williamhogg7830]

Great! I'm bet the cats like it too!

[@magdislv]

excellent work, I'm going to try to do something like this for my 4 indoor cats. Your cats are very beautiful.😍😍😍😍😍

[@kittyhutadventures]

That's real nice. I love the wide platforms for them to walk and lay on. We just used dog kennels, but would like to add on to ours and are trying to figure out how we can put in some platforms. We have nine.

[@suryohadijk6306]

compact in working, hopefully it's fun, the cat is satisfied with the results of the work, greetings from Pangkalpinang Bangka island

[@vickymelons7912]

Starting this today! 😊

[@betsyshillinglaw9886]

Great Team Work...happy felines!!

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

Thank you, they are so enjoying their days laying outside :)

[@I.am.Mumma.Bear.1]

That’s awesome 😍😍

[@griseldacee6939]

perfect, I need to see how you secured the bottom. I used an old greenhouse but never felt secure about the bottom. I used bricks, does not look so good. Home depot here I comme.....thank you for the video.

[@crztrn1]

Copper azole-treated lumber is not recommended for "animal enclosures where the animals are known to gnaw on and consume the treated wood." Specific warnings when using copper azole-treated lumber include using mulched lumber as animal bedding and using such pressure-treated lumber to build structures or containers ...Sep 26, 2017

[@valentinacruz6326]

omg i love it 😍❤️

[@DanielleT77]

Awesome!!!!

[@stellahawkins1958]

I would of made it longer,probably up to you other window use full side of wall..plus have proper full door opening and make it look inviting.

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

This was the initial build, not the finished version. We added cushions, beds etc.... plus they had a much larger tiled screened lanai as well as this catio. A full size door wasn't needed in this instance and the other window had an a/c unit in it, so that needed it's own space.

[@MarySanchez-qk3hp]

Not big enough for four cats, let alone eight. Needs partial or total protection from rain, snow or hot sun on its roof. If you do that, don't use corrugated plastic... it magnifies infrared heat from the sun. Slanted roof would get rid of precipitation and leaves better than a flat roof. And find or cut some soft covering to fit the shelves, for their comfort when they lie on it. About the dirt under the covering, how are you going to clean that mat if they decide to relieve themselves on it? Will you have to dig up the dirt and replace it all the time? Would be easier to carry out and wash the mat if you used smaller pieces. Wet dirt turns slimy when it can't dry out.

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

We live in Florida. Our cats had a 16x10 insulated cabin with electric and air conditioning and 2 large litter boxes inside. They also switch out to a 10x10 air conditioned cat room with an attached 400sq ft screened lanai with large litterboxes, so this catio is just an extra outdoor sun spot but it is partially under a tree so they get shade part of the day too. They go in and out of it as they please, everything is moveable, replaceable and pressure washed 😁 We have since added a tin roof. I hope this answers all of your questions. If you would like to see more of all the cat areas, check out our Facebook page Gentle Souls Animal Sanctuary. We post lots of pictures, videos and updates of all the animal areas we have at the sanctuary. Our HOPE is once we relocate to Tennessee to build a giant outdoor catio, so that will be an upcoming video :)

[@decee6990]

Oh my god dude do you really not have a life I seen these kind of long paragraphs when it has to do a politics but not with a cat house and you don't even know where they live so it might not snow there it might not be that hot there cats might live differently in the area they are in that's the mindset of most Americans they see everything through one layer

[@animalnewsmagazine6830]

What about adding blankets and/or cat beds to make it more comfortable for them?

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

they have a whole indoor cabin with beds and chairs and blankets etc.... we added outdoor furniture cushions to the outside part 😊

[@bluewolfdreams]

What a neat catio for the cats! Are you going to tarp off half of the roof for some shade? or is there enough shade with the trees? It's awesome!

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

There is enough shade from the trees most of the day, the couple of hours the sun hits the top of the catio, the cats lay on the ground section where they are shaded by the shelves, so smart!!!

[@zadaann7731]

Great job but I would put a covered roof on it.

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

we added one later on 😊👍

[@sheylamonro4165]

Could u provide the Measurements

[@rosacanina5353]

👍😸

[@ROZMUSA2010]

I love this!! We want one for our 4 cats .. but HOA is a pain in the butt… anyways what type of material u used? Hardwood? And steel mesh? We get coyotes out here so I am not sure if this is a good plan for us until I know for sure I can build a coyote proof catio

[@maiwurld2578]

I am goinh to build one.

[@annejanssen6133]

so much space and such a small catio... what a pity...

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

They have a 10x16 heated/cooled cabin, plus a 500 sq ft screened lanai. They are not confined. This was just an extra sun spot for them, but thank you for judging rather than asking 🤷‍♀️

[@rositarosada8462]

POOR CATS. THEY DESERVE BETTER. THEY SHOULD HAVE THE CHANGE TO GO OUT TO ENJOY THAT HUGE YARD INSTEAD OF BEING TRAP IN A LITTLE CAGE.

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

@rositarosada8462 well they also had a HUGE screened in porch, came in the house in the evenings for cuddles and treats, plus another much larger outdoor catio, but thank you for assuming and blasting rather than asking a question. Have a GREAT day 😊👍

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

@@rositarosada8462 oh and their large indoor catio was air conditioned and heated 😊👍

[@rklevens]

Great job. I'm looking to make something similar. I also live in Florida. I was wondering what type of wood you used and were they 2X4 or a different size? Thanks!

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

Yes, 2x4's, you are correct. Treated pine.

[@Goldmember66]

Why not put a solid roof on? The kitties can go out, rain or shine.

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

we did add a roof, this was just the initial build 😊👍

[@buntymurtagh1801]

Wonderful. Love the catio. Love your homestead. How on earth do you fund it?

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

I purchased the property personally and with a mortgage. The animals basic needs of feed/hay/farrier are paid for through a small group of monthly donors, public donations, (usually) monthly fundraiser auctions, annual giving challenges, couponing and marketplace sales! We personally cover the monthly mortgage and utilities by 3 streams of work/income and we have no paid staff or volunteers, all work done by myself and Tommy on his time off. This is all worked very hard for :)

[@buntymurtagh1801]

Gentle Souls Animal Sanctuary Homestead you’re both amazing

[@firemnwnb]

There's no sound

[@brrrrrrrrino]

Hello would you be able to provide the dimensions and instructions for this catio? I have 10 cats that love being outside I need a place for them to feel secure.

[@jaholivares]

How do they protect the wood from rain and humidity?

[@chelseayorkshire5741]

What type of fencing did you use and where did you purchase that? Thanks

[@crztrn1]

looks great, is the pressure treated lumber pet safe ?

[@vickymelons7912]

I've been told no

[@bhumane8642]

Do you finance everything for your shelter?

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

It's a combination of personal and public donations as Gentle Souls is a 501c3 registered non profit charity.

[@wasakkayo8703]

How about the rain??

[@gentlesoulsanimalsanctuary8511]

They go inside the cabin if it rains.... 😊

[@jimcoulter5877]

That Big Black Ant at time 14:09 looks like a Carpenter ant, You better deal with them, as they cause a lot of damage to wood in the Home