14/06/2026
CATIOS JUST GOT COOLER: More of us think legislation requiring cat owners to keep cats on their own property would be a good thing - up 10% in two years to 35% of New Zealanders, according to a Predator Free NZ survey released this month.
Feral cats are one of “the most ferocious predators in our ecosystem”, DOC says, so being a cat owner and an environmentalist might seem incongruous, but there are ways of making it work.
Having witnessed her domesticated “fluffy ones” take out a couple of sparrow fledglings, a thrush, and a blackbird, Go Eco climate resilience lead Rachael Goddard decided for the sake of the native species in her backyard that she needed to contain her pet cats thoughtfully and fairly.
She created a 70m2 area enclosed with bird mesh on the top and chicken wire around the sides, and a shelter, and plenty of bushes and small trees and climbing frames to play in. It’s not quite the same as roaming free, but it’s the next best thing, she says.
The catio - or “Cat Sanctuary” as Rachael calls it - cost her $1300.
It isn’t a cheap solution, so other options such as keeping cats in at night, feeding them well, having lots of toys to play with, microchipping, desexing, putting a couple of bells on their collar are all other ways to help protect birds and wildlife, and enjoy your cat.
