Cat owners are being offered $500 to build catios to protect wildlife

A Perth city council is offering cat owners up to $500 to build a “catio” that will protect its pets and the native wildlife.

The City of Bayswater announced this week that it would provide the rebate for anyone who expressed an interest in installing an enclosed structure on their property.

Mayor Filomena Piffaretti said “cat patios” benefited pets by allowing them to roam freely in a safe environment while also protecting local wildlife.

“Catios allow cats to enjoy the stimulation of being outdoors while providing owners with peace of mind their cat is safe within their backyard,” she said.

“The city encourages responsible pet ownership and is proud to be one of the first metropolitan councils to offer a rebate program of this kind.”

Residents have until September 13 to express their interest in the rebate, which can be used to cover the cost of materials or installation of a “catio”.

If successful, cat owners will be required to complete the structure before April 30 next year.

Residents took to social media to applaud the rebate scheme, with many heralding it as a win-win scenario for pets and native animals.

“This is wonderful! Good in many ways, helps keep cats safe, keeps wildlife safe and also helps stop discrimination against lower incomes,” one woman wrote.

“Pets are so good for people and it’s so sad seeing people forced to give up their beloved pet because they can no longer afford them.”

The move was also welcomed by the Western Australian branch of the RSPCA, which said it was a “great initiative”.

The “catio” rebate comes as Bayswater council is seeking feedback on their local cat laws, which prohibits cats from being in a public place unless they are “under effective control”.

The Western Australian Feral Cat Working Group estimates millions of animals have been killed by cats in the area over the past year.

In a bid to protect pets and native animals, the council has established 42 natural areas that cats are prohibited from entering and limited the number of cats to three per household.

However, many residents have called on the council to do more.

A national study conducted by The Conversation found only 8 per cent of people opposed a requirement for owners to contain their pet cats.

More than a third of local councils in Australia mandate cat containment overnight or constantly, and studies have shown cats live longer and healthier lives indoors.