Compact · Units & courtyards
The Window Catio
A neat enclosed box off a window or sliding door. Perfect where space is tight but your cat still wants a sunny perch.
Melbourne's custom catio builder
The great outdoors, without the great escape.
We design and build custom catios that attach right to your home — safe, sunny outdoor rooms where your cat can climb, sunbake and watch the world go by. Fresh air for them, peace of mind for you.
Solid timber buildsFully escape-proofMeets council cat rulesMelbourne-wide
Why build a catio
Everything cats love about outside. None of what you worry about.
Cats that stay safely home tend to live longer, healthier lives — but they miss out on sun, breeze and the daily drama of the backyard. A catio hands the outdoors back, minus the roads, fights and wildlife toll that come with roaming.
Safe outdoor access
No roads, no fights, no fences to leap. Your cat gets the outdoors while staying firmly on your property.
Kinder to local wildlife
A fully enclosed run keeps native birds, lizards and possums off the menu — and keeps you on the right side of council cat rules.
Built to fit your home
Every catio is measured and designed around your windows, doors and yard. No off-the-shelf boxes.
Proper carpentry
Solid framing and quality mesh that shrug off Melbourne weather and the most enthusiastic climbers.
The whole idea
Happy cats — safely outside.
Catio styles
From a sunny window box to a walk-in wonderland.
Whatever your space — courtyard unit or quarter-acre block — there's a catio that fits. Here are the three we build most.
Connected · Yards & gardens
The Garden Run
A tunnel or run linking the house to a sunny corner of the yard. Gives your cat a proper patrol route, all enclosed.
Spacious · Multi-cat homes
The Walk-in Enclosure
A full room you can step into — shelves, ramps, hidey-holes and room for several cats. The premium outdoor lounge.
Everything we do
Explore the full range.
Every kind of catio we build — window boxes to walk-in rooms — plus the pieces that finish the job: tunnels, cat doors, cat-proof fencing, installs of store-bought kits, and repairs and maintenance. Tap any one to see how it works.
Window CatiosA neat enclosed perch off a window or sliding door — sun and fresh air where space is tight.Balcony CatiosCat-proof your balcony end to end, so your cat gets sky and city views without the drop.Freestanding CatiosA standalone enclosure that leans on nothing — put it wherever the sun is best.Backyard CatiosA generous enclosed run across the yard — space for several cats to climb, patrol and doze.Walk-in EnclosuresA full room you can walk into — the premium outdoor lounge for cats and their people.Catio TunnelsEnclosed tunnels and cat runs that link the house to the catio, so cats come and go freely.Rental-Friendly CatiosFreestanding, damage-free enclosures for rentals — safe outdoor time, no holes in the walls.Designer CatiosA premium catio designed to match your home's architecture — beautiful for you, brilliant for the cat.Cat-Proof FencingConvert your existing fence and yard into a contained, open-air space your cat can't escape.Extensions & Cat DoorsExtend, upgrade or repair an existing catio — plus cat doors, shelving and finishing touches.InstallationsBought a cat enclosure off the shelf? We'll assemble and fit it properly — level, secure and genuinely escape-proof.Repairs & MaintenanceBroken, sagging or worn? We repair and maintain cat enclosures — ours or anyone else's — to keep them safe and solid.
How it works
Three steps from idea to happy cat.
1
Chat & site visit
Tell us about your cats and your space. We'll come out, measure up and talk through what'll work best for your home.
2
Custom design & written quote
You get a design tailored to your windows, doors and yard — plus a clear quote with no surprises.
3
Build, install & move in
We build and install it cleanly, tidy up after ourselves, and show your cat the way out. Sunbaking commences.
Local rules
Check your local council rules.
Cat curfews, containment and registration change from one Victorian council to the next. Find your council for a plain-English rundown — and see how a catio keeps you compliant.
Good questions
The things people ask before they build.
How much does a catio cost?
Every catio is custom, so the price depends on size, complexity and how it connects to your home. A compact window catio is a modest job; a walk-in enclosure is a bigger build. We give you a quote after the site visit — see how our pricing works or start your free quote.
Do I need a council permit?
Most modest catios don't need a permit, but it can depend on the size and where it sits on your block, and rules vary between councils. We'll flag anything to check during the site visit so there are no nasty surprises. (Final say always rests with your local council.)
How does it connect to my house?
Usually through an existing window, door or a cat flap, so your cat can come and go on their own terms. If the catio sits away from the house, an enclosed tunnel or run bridges the gap; and if you don't have a cat door yet, we can fit one as part of the build.
Is it really escape-proof?
That's the whole point. Catios use heavy-duty mesh on a solid frame, sealed at every join, with no gaps a determined cat can squeeze or climb through. Built to keep your cat in and other animals out.
What catio styles can I choose from?
A whole range, from a sunny window box to a step-inside outdoor room. Browse the full range of catio styles to see what suits your place — or just describe your space when you request a quote and we'll point you to the right build.
Can you build for an apartment or a rental?
Absolutely. For apartments, a balcony catio turns your balcony into a safe outdoor room. If you rent, a rental-friendly catio is freestanding and damage-free, so it protects your bond and moves house with you.
Will a catio suit an older or nervous indoor cat?
Yes — that's exactly who they're for. A catio lets a shy or senior cat enjoy sun, fresh air and birdsong from the safety of your property, at their own pace. We fit ramps, low steps and cosy hidey-holes to suit your cat's age and confidence.
Will my cat actually use it?
Almost always — and faster than you'd expect. Cats are wired for warmth, height and a good lookout, so once they discover sun to stretch out in and birds to watch, most take to their new enclosure within days. We build in perches, ramps and cosy nooks that make it irresistible, and a treat-trail on the first few trips does the rest.
How much upkeep does a cat enclosure need?
Very little. A solid timber-and-mesh build is made to look after itself — an occasional hose-down or sweep-out, and a quick check of the mesh and fixings now and then, is about all it asks. We use weather-rated materials so Melbourne sun, wind and rain don't get the better of it.
Is a catio kinder to local wildlife?
Much kinder. A fully enclosed catio keeps native birds and lizards off the menu while still giving your cat the outdoors, which also keeps you on the right side of council cat-containment rules.
Where in Melbourne do you build?
Right across greater Melbourne. Not sure whether you're in range? Drop us a line and we'll let you know.
How long does the build take?
Once the design's locked in, most catios go up in a day or two on site. Lead time before that depends on our current schedule — start a quote for the latest availability.
How do I get started?
Two easy ways: build your quote online in a couple of minutes (rough answers are fine), or get in touch for a chat first. Either way it's free, with no obligation, and we call you back to talk it through.
Contact Us
Let's build your cat a better view.
Tell us a bit about your cats and your space. We'll be in touch to book a no-obligation site visit and quote.
Call 04XX XXX XXX
carl@thecatiocarpenter.com.au