Cats and Birds | Happy Cat Stories

Best Practices for Keeping Cats and Birds Safe

Stewardship Centre for BC is proud to celebrate responsible cat owners who keep cats indoors and supervise cats outdoors to help make BC a safer place for cats and birds.

In April 2020, we created an online survey to ask responsible cat owners about ways they keep cats and birds safe. In this gallery, you will find 1) stories shared with us by cat owners, 2) photos of their pets and 3) links to online resources that can help you to transition your cat to a healthy indoor lifestyle, leash-walking or a catio or cat enclosure.

Visit Responsible Cat Ownership page to learn more about the best practices for keeping cats healthy, happy and content.

Photo Gallery

Happy at Home: Indoor Enrichment

Explore photos of happy cats sent to us by cat owners across BC. Notice different enrichment strategies such as elevated perches and toys used by cat owners to ensure their homes are safe, fun and engaging for their companions.

Click here to learn more about ways to provide indoor enrichment!

Cats in pairs! Zoe and Diesel are happy to have each other to exercise, play and cuddle together. Photo by Tanya from Penticton, BC. When you adopt cats, consider adopting a pair of kittens or adult siblings together to keep your pets mentally and physically stimulated.
Cats in pairs! Zoe and Diesel are happy to have each other to exercise, play and cuddle together. Photo by Tanya from Penticton, BC. When you adopt cats, consider adopting a pair of kittens or adult siblings together to keep your pets mentally and physically stimulated.
Emily’s cat Rowdy is cozy on her hammock at home in Kelowna, BC. Elevated shelves, perches and viewing posts help cats feel safe and provide opportunities to climb and stay aware of their surrounding.
Emily’s cat Rowdy is cozy on her hammock at home in Kelowna, BC. Elevated shelves, perches and viewing posts help cats feel safe and provide opportunities to climb and stay aware of their surrounding.
Sisu and Minette have a viewing post by the window to watch morning birds fly by. “Indoor cats can be very friendly and affectionate companions if you spend time with them and find what toys and treats they like.” – Matthias, Summerland, BC.
Sisu and Minette have a viewing post by the window to watch morning birds fly by. “Indoor cats can be very friendly and affectionate companions if you spend time with them and find what toys and treats they like.” – Matthias, Summerland, BC.
Lindz’s playful kitten Yunno is an indoor cat, living in Vancouver, BC.
Lindz’s playful kitten Yunno is an indoor cat, living in Vancouver, BC.
Minette loves being brushed and having different toys to play with at home. She lives with Matthias in Summerland, BC.
Minette loves being brushed and having different toys to play with at home. She lives with Matthias in Summerland, BC.
Yunno also has a cat seat near the window to watch neighbours and wildlife safely.
Yunno also has a cat seat near the window to watch neighbours and wildlife safely.

Happy Outside: Leash-trained Cats

Lindsay’s adventurous cat Dexter spends quality time outside in Cumberland, BC. Lindsay trained him to walk on a leash to keep Dexter safe from mean cats on the streets, coyotes and cars.
Lindsay’s adventurous cat Dexter spends quality time outside in Cumberland, BC. Lindsay trained him to walk on a leash to keep Dexter safe from mean cats on the streets, coyotes and cars.
Wall-E is only 4 months old and has already learned how to walk on a leash. He lives with Silvia in Vancouver, BC.
Wall-E is only 4 months old and has already learned how to walk on a leash. He lives with Silvia in Vancouver, BC.
“You just have to make sure that your cats are safe, healthy and enjoying being who they are. It does saves you a lot of money by avoiding them getting in contact with parasites or getting hurt outdoors.” – says Silvia.
“You just have to make sure that your cats are safe, healthy and enjoying being who they are. It does saves you a lot of money by avoiding them getting in contact with parasites or getting hurt outdoors.” – says Silvia.
Jason’s cat Paco is mostly an indoor cat with access to an enclosed balcony. Paco’s summer goal is to learn to walk on a leash, so he can join Jason outside on a sunny day in Peachland, BC.
Jason’s cat Paco is mostly an indoor cat with access to an enclosed balcony. Paco’s summer goal is to learn to walk on a leash, so he can join Jason outside on a sunny day in Peachland, BC.
Stephanie trained both of her cats Pippin and Sophie to walk on a leash to keep them safe from cars and from being lost in their busy neighborhood in Vancouver.
Stephanie trained both of her cats Pippin and Sophie to walk on a leash to keep them safe from cars and from being lost in their busy neighborhood in Vancouver.
Pippin showing off a beautiful collar with a name tag and a leash harness right before going for a walk with Stephanie in Vancouver.
Pippin showing off a beautiful collar with a name tag and a leash harness right before going for a walk with Stephanie in Vancouver.
Viva was leash-trained when she was 1 year old. She loves to explore Penticton (BC) with her human Stacey.
Viva was leash-trained when she was 1 year old. She loves to explore Penticton (BC) with her human Stacey.
Emily from Kelowna (BC) trained her cat Rowdy to walk on a leash to go hiking, camping and exploring nature together.
Emily from Kelowna (BC) trained her cat Rowdy to walk on a leash to go hiking, camping and exploring nature together.

Happy Outside: Catio and Outdoor Enclosures

Click here to find tips, DIY guides and resources for building and improving your catio!

Denise and her husband built this summer catio for Purrlene to stay happy and content. Kamloops, BC.
Denise and her husband built this summer catio for Purrlene to stay happy and content. Kamloops, BC.
Sisters Missy and Stella in their amazing porch catio in Vancouver, BC.
Sisters Missy and Stella in their amazing porch catio in Vancouver, BC.
Elly built this beautiful porch catio to keep her cats and wildlife safe in Gibsons, BC.
Elly built this beautiful porch catio to keep her cats and wildlife safe in Gibsons, BC.
DIY catio for Ebony built by Eva in Penticton, BC. Eva used chicken wire and household tools to create this safe and low-cost space for Ebony.
DIY catio for Ebony built by Eva in Penticton, BC. Eva used chicken wire and household tools to create this safe and low-cost space for Ebony.
Eva Durance enclosed one of her entrances, so that her cat Ebony can go in and out the house safely. Penticton, BC.
Eva Durance enclosed one of her entrances, so that her cat Ebony can go in and out the house safely. Penticton, BC.
“We built a cat run to keep Plerre safe and protect birds visiting our garden. Cats can be endangered by owls, coyotes, dogs, toxic materials, poison, and even being stolen by other people.” – Jennifer, Kaleden, BC.
“We built a cat run to keep Plerre safe and protect birds visiting our garden. Cats can be endangered by owls, coyotes, dogs, toxic materials, poison, and even being stolen by other people.” – Jennifer, Kaleden, BC.
Elly’s cats have so many cozy spots and toys in their porch catio in Gibsons, BC. Don’t forget that enrichment is great for keeping cats comfortable and engaged!
Elly’s cats have so many cozy spots and toys in their porch catio in Gibsons, BC. Don’t forget that enrichment is great for keeping cats comfortable and engaged!

Where in BC do people practice responsible cat ownership?

So far, over 40 cat owners from 22 cities and towns across BC have taken our survey. Are you a responsible cat owner interested in sharing your Happy Cat Story? Click to participate!

What do cat owners do to protect cats and birds?

We asked our participants to pick one or several best practices they use to keep their cats healthy, happy, protected from outdoor dangers and physically and mentally stimulated.

Do you want to share your story in the Happy Cat Gallery?

Take a quick survey, share your photos to be featured in this gallery and receive a free decal for your window: “Cat and Birds – Friendly Household!”

  1. Fill out our 5-min survey: click to start!;
  2. Choose one or several photos of your cat(s) playing at home, enjoying a catio, walking on a leash or other;
  3. Email photos to SCBC Cats and Birds Coordinator at coordinator@stewardshipcentrebc.ca

You can receive a free sticker (see image on the left) for your car or window and identify your home as a cat and bird-friendly household!

Stay Connected!

Subscribe to our quarterly e-newsletter and follow us on social media to receive tips, updates from the project and information about upcoming events and opportunities to be involved!

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