What for the Catio?

What’s a City kitty to do without a yard of her own? Through my social networking on Face Book, I became acquainted with Melanie Baird and her amazing Catio. Her cat is FIV positive and must stay inside. But what is a City kitty to do without a yard of her own? This extraordinary bean set out to find the best of both worlds for little kitty.
She looked and looked on the net and reports “there really aren’t any window/outdoor pet options for city dwellers.” The ones she found online were “very small and hardly had a view.” So, she made her own. What a lucky cat!


The top is glass and prevents rain and moisture from getting inside. (She thought of everything.)
She used all cat friendly grasses. The first one shown here is Barley (it took about 10 days to come up). Other plantings include oats, red clover and cat grass which are rotated when ready.
A few adjustments were made – like adding hinges and a lock to the front so she could water the plants. If you have any doubt about the quality of work done here, visit the Melanie Baird Gallery at Rain Glass Garden. You will find very beautiful garden glass art. Is there no end to her talent?

But, what if you have a City dog?
Melanie says, “I wish there was some way to make a dogio for Lili. She eyes it sometimes and I think she knows we have really spoiled the cat and not her….but, I don’t feel bad, really, because she gets to go skiing with us.”

Now I have to ask you, would you rather loll around all day in the Catio, or go on a ski trip? Hmmm…I wonder if Melanie made little doggy skis for Lili.

Your friend,
Fisher