Time flies when you’re following your passions in life. As Catio Spaces celebrates ten years of creating beautiful catios to enrich the lives of cats, protect wildlife, and delight cat parents, I feel truly blessed by the journey. Along the way, I’ve met some extraordinary felines and compassionate cat lovers, and I’m reminded that life isn’t always a straight path. It’s an adventure—full of twists, synchronicities, and joyful moments that guide us toward something meaningful.
Here’s how my journey with Catio Spaces began—and how a tabby kitten named Serena changed everything.
How Catio Spaces Got Its Start
The question I hear most often is: How did you end up building catios, especially as a female contractor in the construction world? I like to think I’ve lived “nine lives” myself, full of unexpected turns and intuitive promptings that led me here. Each step—whether designing homes or traveling the world—helped shape my passion for creating spaces that nurture both animals and people.
Before launching Catio Spaces, I spent years in the travel industry. My work as a tour director, event planner, public relations manager, and video producer took me to 44 countries, where I indulged my love of adventure. But when I bought my first home, my creativity truly flourished. Inspired by Martha Stewart and Better Homes and Gardens, I began experimenting with design, transforming my house and garden into a personal sanctuary. That joy of creativity inspired a new career as a color designer, faux painting artist, and color consultant for personal wardrobes.
My love of design and nature sparked a curiosity to study feng shui, a design system for creating positive and harmonious living spaces through the art of placement. I became a certified feng shui consultant, providing home and business consultations for my clients, and taught feng shui and color classes for realtors. Many were animal lovers, and the topic of creating pet-friendly homes was often discussed.
Throughout nine diverse work experiences, animal companions have blessed my journey, including a spunky cocker spaniel and a neighbor’s free-roaming cat, Shahzae, who showed up in my garden one day and eventually adopted me. I had become an official cat parent!
A Cat Door, a Loss, and a Tabby Dream
My first foray into feline-friendly design started with something simple: installing a cat door for Shahzae, who loved both the comforts of home and the freedom of the outdoors. I never questioned her safety; she was street-smart and seemed to have the best of both worlds. But everything changed years later after she passed from kidney failure.
Grieving her loss, I found myself unsure if I would ever welcome another cat into my life. Five months later, a dream gave me my answer.
In the dream, I saw the face of a petite female orange tabby with amber eyes and a distinct white marking on her forehead. She meowed at me with urgency, and I awoke knowing I had to find her. The search wasn’t easy—shelters told me female orange tabbies were rare, which only fueled my determination. Eventually, through PetFinder, I found her waiting for me at a shelter an hour north of Seattle.
When I held the sweet kitten in my lap for the first time, tears streamed down my face, and a deep sense of peace settled over me. I named her Serena, after the serenity she brought into my life.
Serena’s Catio – and the Birth of a Business
Although I wanted Serena to experience nature, the “Mama Bear” in me couldn’t ignore the risks of letting a young, curious kitten roam outdoors alone. So, I transformed a small backyard patio into our first catio—a safe and stimulating space filled with seating, a water fountain, cat-safe plants, and plenty of shelves and branches for exercise. It became our sanctuary, where Serena and I bonded while enjoying fresh air and birdwatching.
One morning, while sitting in the catio with Serena on my lap and a cup of tea in hand, I had a flash of inspiration: Why not create these kinds of spaces for others?
I realized that catios didn’t have to be drab wire cages—they could be thoughtfully designed outdoor sanctuaries, enhancing the lives of both cats and their people. After all, fresh air and nature is good for humans too!
That idea planted the seeds for Catio Spaces. I joined the local Master Builders Association, received my contractor license, and assembled a talented team of carpenters. Together, we began designing and building functional and visually appealing custom catios that cater to a feline’s fancy and individual needs. Our mission? To keep cats safe, healthy, and happy, provide peace of mind for cat parents, and help protect birds and wildlife.
A Decade of Joy: Catios for Every Home
Over the past ten years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with hundreds of cat parents, creating custom catios that enrich their cats’ lives and complement their homes and gardens. Some of my four-legged feline clients include door dashers, screen slashers, escape artists, wishful window watchers, and cats with sight and mobility challenges. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help solve the indoor/outdoor dilemma for cat lovers and see both people and pets thrive in their new spaces.
In addition to custom catios, I’ve expanded Catio Spaces by offering various DIY catio plans to cat parents nationwide who want to build one themselves or hire a carpenter to build our catio plan for them. Through our animal welfare affiliate program, Catio Spaces donates 10% of DIY sales to support organizations in their communities. I also love hearing from people around the world who share their catio dreams with me—it’s a beautiful reminder that no matter where we live, the love we have for our pets is universal.
Catios have come a long way in the past decade. No longer limited to simple cages, today’s catios are as unique as the cats they’re built for—from cozy window boxes to sprawling outdoor sanctuaries with room for humans to join in the fun.
Serena’s Role as Chief Feline Officer
Serena, my beloved companion and the tabby who inspired Catio Spaces, has taken on a few extra roles over the years. In addition to serving as Chief Feline Officer, she’s now our official Quality Assurance Expert.
Serena currently enjoys four garden catios tailored to her love of birdwatching and lounging in the sun. She recently gave her “paw of approval” for our new Spiral Staircase DIY plan for cats to explore new heights in their catio or the interior of a home. Life is good for Serena!
Full Circle – and What’s Next
As I celebrate ten years of Catio Spaces, it’s surreal to see the journey come full circle. I’ve been honored to be a featured catio expert in Martha Stewart and Better Homes and Gardens—the very magazines that once inspired my love of design. Life has a way of unfolding organically when you follow your passions, and I feel grateful every day for the opportunity to create spaces that bring joy to cats and their people.
Whether you’re a seasoned cat parent or new to the idea of catios, I invite you to curl up with your favorite feline and explore the possibilities. Together, let’s keep dreaming of ways to make life safer, happier, and more enriching for our beloved pets and help protect birds and wildlife.
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to the next ten years—and beyond!
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Cynthia Chomos is a Feng Shui Consultant, Catio Designer and the Founder of Catio Spaces, creating harmonious indoor and outdoor spaces for her 4-legged and 2-legged clients. She lives in Seattle with her adorable tabby Serena (who has four catios) and is the inspiration for Catio Spaces. Cynthia offers free catio tips, DIY Catio Plans and custom catios to keep cats safe and protect birds and wildlife. You can contact Cynthia at CatioSpaces.com.
