In case you didn’t already know, we’re obsessed with our furbabies here at She’s a Full on Monet. We’ve already talked about making a pet nursery for your precious pets, so, today, we’re taking that one step further. We got together with Cynthia Chomos, Founder of Catio Spaces, to talk all about “Catios” (outdoor cat enclosures) and the ins and outs of being a woman entrepreneur. Check out our interview below; then, head on over to Catio Spaces and use the code MonetCatio10 at checkout for 10% off your DIY Catio Plan!
Q: Tell our readers a bit about yourself; what inspired you to start Catio Spaces?
A: I’m passionate about design, nature, and cats, and the story of my cat-centric business, Catio Spaces, has an organic unfolding. Throughout my life, I’ve always followed my intuition. Trusting inner promptings has led me on a journey of “9 lives,” including work as a feng shui consultant, colorist, designer, instructor, media relations and special event manager, video producer, general contractor, and animal welfare advocate.
Having grown up with a dog as our family pet, I was new to the ways of cats until my adult life when a neighbor’s free-roaming feline, Scarlett, trespassed into my backyard. After a summer communing in my garden, she eventually adopted me, and I officially became a cat mom after the joint custody agreement with my neighbor expired. Scarlett lived to a ripe age of 22 years and, shortly after her passing, I knew I could never live without a cat in my life. While still in the grieving process, I had a life-changing dream of an orange tabby kitten meowing at me, and when I woke up, I knew I had to find her. After an extensive search at Seattle area animal shelters, I found my beloved tabby, Serena.
I wanted Serena, a highly energetic 3-month-old kitten, to safely enjoy the enrichment and stimulation of the natural world. So, I transformed my patio into a catio, an outdoor cat enclosure or “cat patio,” where she could enjoy the wind in her whiskers, birdwatching, and catnaps in the sun while I puttered in my garden.
Sitting in the catio one morning with a cup of tea and Serena on my lap, I had a flash of inspiration to start Catio Spaces, creating visually appealing outdoor spaces to keep cats safe and help protect birds and wildlife.
Since saying “yes” to that intuitive prompting in 2014, I’ve been designing and building custom catios with my carpentry team and offer various DIY Catio Plans online.
Serena is not only my inspiration; she serves as my chief feline officer and quality assurance expert (she has four catios!). She’s also one heck of a catio ambassador, showing off her garden getaway catios on the annual Seattle Catio Tour that I co-founded with local animal welfare organizations.
Q: What are the benefits of having a catio vs. letting cats free-roam?
A: Cats are natural hunters and need stimulation on a daily basis. However, if allowed to roam freely outdoors, there are many dangers, including predators, poisons, diseases from other animals, getting hit by a car, lost, locked in a garage, or chased up a tree. Unprotected outdoor adventures can also increase vet bills or reduce a cat’s lifespan. Catios help solve the indoor/outdoor dilemma and provide peace of mind. Cat parents also won’t receive a gut-wrenching feathered “gift” from their feline hunter.
The catio lifestyle offers endless ways for cats to exercise, enjoy fresh air, chase bugs, and watch birds (the best cat TV!) and family activities in your backyard. Designed with cat enrichment in mind, vertical and horizontal spaces can be built using cedar shelves, branches, steps, bridges, and lounging areas for naps in the sun. Cat-safe plants, toys, and scratchers provide additional stimulation. Large catios offer human enjoyment too, with space for seating and décor, including rugs, art, water fountains, and more. After all, fresh air and bonding with your cat in nature are good for cats and their parents.
Q: What obstacles did you face when starting Catio Spaces? How did you overcome them?
A: While I was already a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties as a Feng Shui Consultant, I was new to running a construction business. So, first, I sought the advice of successful contractors in niche construction sectors and created a business plan for Catio Spaces. Next, I applied and became a licensed and bonded General Contractor. From there, I took one step at a time, creating a website, marketing materials (using photos of my catios), setting up vendor accounts with local lumber stores, and hiring carpenters. Finally, to reach cat parents, I visited local animal shelters, veterinary clinics, pet stores and posted on neighborhood forums to share the benefits of catios and my services.
One of the most challenging aspects of having a female-owned construction business was finding the purrfect carpentry team to execute my catio designs. However, with a few hits and misses along the way, I, eventually, found a talented team and learned how to set expectations, boundaries, and quality control with them. (I also learned valuable carpentry skills from my lead carpenter and used my contractor license to manage a 3-story addition to my home in 2019.)
My ongoing challenge is creating work/life balance as my business grows. I wear many hats managing all aspects of a local and national online business, plus the role of educator and animal welfare advocate. I’m passionate about making a difference in the lives of my 2-legged and 4-legged clients, so it’s always a joy to receive emails from cat parents from all over the world seeking solutions to their cat issues. My company is in high demand during the catio building season – everyone wants a catio! To avoid burnout and create space for my personal life, I hire office support and, for the past several years, I have scheduled two months of vacation time in November and December to recharge (and take frequent naps with my tabby, Serena).
Q: Tell us a bit about the philanthropic aspect of Catio Spaces and the partnerships you’ve been able to make.
A: Animal and bird welfare organizations do great work in our communities, finding forever homes for cats and protecting precious birds and wildlife. Catio Spaces has an affiliate program for animal organizations to share the benefits of catios and DIY catio plans, and they receive 10% donations from each plan sale. In addition, I frequently donate catio plans for auctions and shelters facing natural disasters or needing assistance with special needs cats. Proceeds from the Seattle Catio Tour benefit the participating animal welfare organizations, and I also sponsor other catio tours around the country. It’s a win/win for educating communities on the benefits and joys of catios – and a wonderful way to give back to animals for the joy they bring into our lives.
Q: What is the process of getting a DIY Catio Spaces plan like? What does the plan include and what does it not include?
A: Catio Spaces offers DIY Catio Plans in various designs and sizes for a window, deck, patio, or yard. The easy-to-build plans include step-by-step instructions, diagrams, a tool and material list, and helpful tips for a successful project.
Materials can be purchased from local lumber or home improvement stores. Cat parents can build the DIY plan themselves or hire a local carpenter to build the plan for them. The plans are a PDF download, so people can start building right away. Catio plans range from $39.95-$69.95.
Q: What is your biggest dream for Catio Spaces moving forward, as the company continues to grow?
A: Safe, healthy, and happy cats equal happy cat parents and communities. I firmly believe cats, birds, and coyotes can get along – and catios are a great solution. I would love for every cat to have safe access to the outdoors and the stimulation of the natural world. So, in addition to custom catios and DIY Catio Plans, I will continue to provide and expand national webinars for cat parents and animal welfare organizations, inspiring videos and building resources, catio tours, and Catio Spaces’ affiliate program. And, of course, be open to intuitive promptings along the way!
SPECIAL OFFER: Save 10% on a DIY Catio Plan with promo code: MonetCatio10
Aren’t “Catios” the best idea for a purr-fect outdoor space? Let us know what you think in the comments!
About Cynthia Chomos
Cynthia Chomos is passionate about creating harmonious living spaces for people and pets. She combines her expertise as a Feng Shui Consultant, Designer/Builder, and Founder of CatioSpaces to create safe and visually appealing outdoor “cat patios” for a pet and wildlife-friendly home and garden. She credits her tabby, Serena, and the beauty of nature as her inspirations.
Website: https://catiospaces.com/
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