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The Open-Air Cat Ranch | Recent Catio Build in St. Augustine, Florida

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St. Augustine, FL

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Project Overview

This custom barn-side catio was thoughtfully designed to provide a safe outdoor solution for the client’s eight barn cats after one of their cats was attacked by an owl. While the cats were accustomed to roaming freely outdoors, safety quickly became a top priority. The goal was to create a secure enclosure attached directly to the barn—allowing the cats to continue enjoying fresh air and outdoor stimulation without exposure to aerial predators.

This structure is the first phase of a larger vision for the property, which will eventually include three separate catios—two built along the side of the barn and a third extending outward via an enclosed tunnel across the property. Designed specifically for barn life, this catio offers protection while preserving the cats’ freedom to move, explore, and lounge in a secure outdoor environment. The result is a safe, enriching extension of the barn that supports both the cats’ well-being and the owners’ long-term plans.

Project Goals

  • Create a secure outdoor enclosure attached to the barn for all eight barn cats
  • Protect the cats from aerial predators, including owls
  • Provide a designated space where the cats can safely enjoy fresh air and natural sunlight
  • Allow the cats to run, play, and explore without being confined solely inside the barn
  • Support the long-term vision of building two additional catios on the property
  • Design a structure that integrates seamlessly with the existing barn
  • Establish a safe foundation for future expansion, including a tunnel-connected enclosure
Large fluffy gray cat yawning inside a white custom outdoor catio enclosure with wire mesh walls, multi-level ramps, wooden climbing posts, gravel flooring, and a black cat resting in the background.

Design Challenges

  • Designing a spacious enclosure large enough to comfortably accommodate eight cats without feeling overcrowded
  • Incorporating dedicated space for multiple litter boxes while maintaining a clean, open layout
  • Creating a ramp system to allow the senior cat safe access without jumping
  • Extending the catio beyond the pre-existing concrete slab while ensuring structural stability
  • Stabilizing the expanded footprint using concrete pavers to create a level, even surface
  • Building beneath an existing structure while maintaining proper airflow and light
  • Providing predator-proof security while preserving open visibility and ventilation

Key Design Features

  • 12’ x 9’ x 8’ open-air enclosure designed for spacious movement, climbing, and lounging
  • 1” x 1” black PVC-coated critter fencing installed on all sides and overhead for strength, visibility, and predator protection
  • Pressure-treated lumber painted white to match the existing barn for a clean, cohesive aesthetic
  • Open-air roofing system utilizing overhead fencing for ventilation and natural light while maintaining full containment
  • Built-in cat cubbies and suspended hammocks providing cozy resting and elevated lounging spaces
  • Walk-in human access door for convenient cleaning and interaction
  • Accessibility ramp allowing the senior cat safe, easy entry and exit without jumping
  • Concrete paver foundation extension creating a stable, level surface beyond the existing concrete slab
  • Floor-to-ceiling scratching post to support natural climbing behavior
  • Bubble domes for elevated observation and enrichment
  • Double-screening system with added bug protection for enhanced comfort

Build Specifications

This build was designed to create a spacious, open-air outdoor retreat while maintaining safety, ventilation, and seamless integration with the existing barn structure. Constructed beneath a pre-existing overhang, the enclosure maximizes airflow and sunlight while ensuring full predator protection. The result is a secure, highly functional cat ranch that blends durability, enrichment, and architectural cohesion.

Dimensions & Layout

  • Main Catio Structure: Approximately 12 feet long x 9 feet wide x 8 feet tall. Built as a fully enclosed open-air structure beneath the existing barn overhang, creating a generous environment for eight cats to climb, lounge, and explore. The walk-in design includes a full-height access door for comfortable human entry, cleaning, and daily interaction.

Catio Gallery

Full front exterior view of a large white double-section custom catio with wire mesh panels, multi-level shelves, ramps, and barn-style home backdrop during golden hour.
Corner view of a white outdoor catio enclosure with mesh walls, interior climbing ramps and platforms, concrete base, and landscaped yard surrounding the structure.
Exterior side view of a white custom-built catio attached to a barn-style home with a green metal roof at sunset, featuring screened walls and a secure access door.
Two cats inside a multi-level white outdoor catio with ramps, shelves, hammock bed, mounted bowl platforms, and a central natural wood scratching post.
Wide interior view of custom white catio featuring angled ramps, tiered shelving, mounted feeding bowl platforms, natural wood scratching post, and gravel and concrete flooring.
Interior view of a white custom catio with vertical ladder, dome window perches, mounted wooden cat house, rope hammock, gravel flooring, and expansive outdoor views.
Spotted Bengal cat lying on a concrete floor inside a white screened catio with a vertical ladder, rope toy, gravel section, and dogs visible safely outside the enclosure.
Large fluffy gray cat yawning inside a white custom outdoor catio enclosure with wire mesh walls, multi-level ramps, wooden climbing posts, gravel flooring, and a black cat resting in the background.

Materials Used

Lumber: Pressure-Treated (Painted White)

Why Cedar?

  • Structurally strong and built for long-term outdoor durability
  • Professionally painted white to match the pre-existing barn
  • Designed to withstand moisture and weather exposure
  • Creates a clean, cohesive aesthetic that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding structure
Exterior side view of a white custom-built catio attached to a barn-style home with a green metal roof at sunset, featuring screened walls and a secure access door.

Roofing Options

Roofing: Open-Air Critter Fencing

  • No traditional solid roof — 1×1 black PVC-coated critter fencing installed overhead
  • Provides full predator protection while maintaining airflow and visibility
  • Allows natural sunlight to filter through the enclosure
  • Built beneath a pre-existing structure for added shade and weather coverage
Interior view of a white custom catio with vertical ladder, dome window perches, mounted wooden cat house, rope hammock, gravel flooring, and expansive outdoor views.

Fencing: 1×1 Black Critterfencing

  • Material: Galvanized steel core with protective black PVC coating
  • Mesh Size: 1×1 inch square openings

Why This Fencing?

  • Securely encloses the 12’ x 9’ x 8’ open-air catio while maintaining clear visibility
  • Installed on all sides and overhead to create a fully enclosed system without a traditional roof
  • Provides strong predator protection while preserving airflow and natural light
  • Black coating reduces visual obstruction, allowing the enclosure to blend seamlessly with the barn
  • Durable, rust-resistant finish designed for long-term outdoor exposure
  • Works in conjunction with a double-screening system to help prevent insects from entering the enclosure
Elevated custom wooden catio tower and connecting catwalk built with rich cedar planks and dark charcoal framing, enclosed in galvanized wire mesh and supported by heavy timber posts among mature backyard trees.

Interior Features & Enrichment

This 12’ x 9’ x 8’ open-air catio was designed to encourage movement, climbing, lounging, and safe outdoor observation for eight cats. The interior layout promotes vertical exploration while providing cozy retreat spaces for rest and privacy. Elevated features, interactive lookout points, and accessible pathways create a balanced environment that supports both active play and relaxed enjoyment.

Feature List

  • Climbing Shelves
    Strategically placed shelves throughout the enclosure allow cats to leap, perch, and survey their surroundings. The staggered heights encourage full-body movement and vertical enrichment.
  • Ramps
    Smooth transition ramps connect shelf levels, making elevated areas accessible while promoting safe and engaging vertical exploration.
  • Cat Hammock
    Elevated hammocks provide breathable lounging spaces where cats can relax comfortably while enjoying airflow from the open-air design.
  • Cat Cubbies (x2)
    Built-in cubbies offer enclosed retreat areas for privacy and quiet rest while remaining safely within the enclosure.
  • Floor-to-Ceiling Scratching Post
    A full-height scratching post supports natural scratching behavior, stretching, and climbing instincts.
  • Bubble Domes
    Interactive bubble domes create engaging lookout points, allowing cats to safely observe their outdoor surroundings from a unique vantage point.

Feature Purpose & Pet Personality Fit

This build was thoughtfully designed to support the personalities and activity levels of eight cats, including both energetic climbers and more relaxed, older companions. The layout balances vertical exploration with accessible lounging areas, ensuring that every cat — regardless of age or temperament — has a space that suits their natural behaviors and comfort needs.

  • The spacious 12’ x 9’ layout provides ample room for multiple cats to move freely without feeling crowded, supporting social interaction while minimizing territorial tension.
  • Elevated shelves and ramps encourage active cats to climb, leap, and explore vertically, satisfying natural instincts for movement and observation.
  • The floor-to-ceiling scratching post and bubble domes cater to curious, high-energy personalities who enjoy stretching, climbing, and surveying their surroundings.
  • Built-in cubbies and suspended hammocks offer secure, elevated rest areas for cats who prefer lounging while still remaining engaged with the environment.
  • The open-air design provides consistent airflow and natural light, appealing to cats who enjoy observing outdoor movement while remaining safely enclosed.
  • The accessible layout ensures that older cats can comfortably navigate the space, allowing them to enjoy fresh air and enrichment without excessive jumping or strain.

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