Second Chance: Benefits of Catios + Updates!

31 Jul Second Chance: Benefits of Catios + Updates!

For 30 years, the Animal Resource Center and Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been serving Ouray, San Miguel, and Montrose Counties. Our adoption hours are from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. View shelter pets and services online at www.secondchancehumane.org. Connecting Pets, People, and Community While Saving Lives.

View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.

Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432. 

Go here for more options from Second Chance.

Outdoor time is important for a cat’s well-being and mental health, which is why a catio is a great idea for cat families.

A “catio” or “cat patio” is an outdoor enclosure designed to give cats a safe environment in which to enjoy the outdoors. These structures range from simple window boxes to elaborate multi-level enclosures that attach to a home or free-standing alone in the yard. Catios allow cats to experience fresh air, sunshine, and natural sights and sounds while protecting them from outdoor dangers such as traffic, predators, and diseases. At Second Chance, we have catios outside several of our cat rooms and our residents enjoy them everyday.

So, why not just let your cat roam around outside? Free-roaming cats face numerous dangers, such as traffic, predators, and exposure to diseases, which can significantly shorten their lifespan. Catios mitigate those risks by providing a safe, enclosed space where cats can enjoy the outdoors without the associated dangers. This secure environment allows cats to experience the benefits of outdoor life while keeping them protected.

Our furry family members might be nap champions, but even the laziest of cats need playtime! According to Animal Humane Society cats who exercise daily are generally less anxious, experience less pain associated with joint disease, and have less weight gain throughout their lives.

Catios provide a secure outdoor environment where cats can engage in natural behaviors such as climbing, running, and exploring. They often include various levels, perches and interactive elements that mimic the challenges and stimuli of a natural habitat. By allowing cats to enjoy these instinctual activities, catios help keep them physically fit and mentally stimulated.

Just like us, cats thrive on fresh air and sunshine! Being outside offers tons of perks for our kitties, boosting their physical and mental health. Fresh air stimulates their senses, helping them to unwind and relax, while soaking up the sun provides essential vitamin D for strong bones and a robust immune system. Plus, you get adorable sunbathing kitty pics!

Catios offer a stimulating environment for cats with new sights, sounds, and smells. The enclosed outdoor spaces allow cats to safely observe wildlife, listen to birds, and inhale the fresh scents of nature, which can significantly enrich their sensory experiences. This mental stimulation helps keep cats engaged and curious, reducing boredom and promoting overall mental well-being.

Preventing boredom may help avoid behavioral problems such as scratching furniture, excessive meowing, and over-grooming. You can also incorporate enriching activities such as hanging toys, scratching posts, and climbing structures, to further enhance the catio experience, ensuring your furry feline remains entertained and active.

We always want the best for our furry family members. Investing in a catio not only improves your cat’s quality of life but also gives you the ultimate peace of mind. Your feline friend will be living their best life, enjoying the purrfect mix of outdoor adventure and indoor safety. It’s a win-win for you and your cat!

Written in collaboration with our friends at Cat Topia. They are generously sponsoring cat adoptions at the shelter August 2 and 3, 2024. See what they do at: thecattopia.com

Eleanor

Eleanor has gorgeous blue eyes and lynx-point markings. She is short-haired, outgoing, friendly, and only one year old. Eleanor will play day and night, then cuddle up when she’s tired. She loves hanging out in one of our catios.

AND… To continue the Second Chance Highlights section, we want to share the following:

Waiting Sooooooo Long

We know them well and have watched them grow. We are crossing our fingers that they go home soon.

Our longest-term cats are: Tulip, Kit Kat, Tiger, Mini Wheats, & Mary

Our longest-term dogs are: Roscoe, George, Latte, & Dawn.

Adoption Hours: 11-5:30 Wed-Sun

August 2 & 3


Cat Topia is sponsoring our cat adoptions until we reach $500.

Cat Topia, a pioneering company in the field of feline welfare, has been building innovative and secure catios throughout the United States since its inception in 2018 in Denver, Colorado.