Georgia Magazine - February 2025 - 18

MADE IN Georgia
By Cameron Whitlock
Robert Johnston: customized catios
W
hen Athens local Robert " Catio Bob "
Johnston retired in 2017, he began
brainstorming some projects to keep
himself busy.
Johnston, who has an extensive background in
welding and fabricating, had been constructing
large commercial animal enclosures for boarding
facilities, shelters, zoos and sanctuaries for more
than 17 years. He wanted to continue his craftsmanship
into retirement, but he had no idea what he
wanted to build-until one day a friend made the
perfect suggestion.
" He told me I needed to build catios, " Johnston
says. " And I said, 'What in the world is a catio?' So I
got on the computer, and I'm looking at it, and I'm
going, 'Oh yeah, it's just like what I'm
doing now, just scaled down, right?' "
A typical catio is an enclosed space
that allows cats to safely enjoy the
outdoors while protecting them from
potential dangers such as traffic,
predators, parasites and diseases.
Catios vary in size and complexity, from
small window boxes to large, multilevel
enclosures with climbing structures and
enrichment activities.
As a self-proclaimed animal lover
and " cat dad, " Johnston was enthused to
get to work on what he expected to be a
couple of small projects per month. But
demand for his custom catios soared higher than Johnston ever
Johnston stresses the
importance of using
the right materials and
design to make each
catio safe, secure and
beautifully integrated
with homes so as not to
attract the ire of homeowners
associations.
imagined.
" It was like somebody opened up a floodgate, " he says.
He began receiving requests to build catios from every state
in the country and even internationally. What started as a backyard
venture quickly grew in size and scope, requiring Johnston
to move his operation into a large shop in Athens and hire a
couple of employees.
Johnston has spent the last five years building about one
catio per week, perfecting his designs while also allowing for
extensive customization to fit each build.
Johnston stresses the importance of using the right
materials and design to make each catio safe, secure and
beautifully integrated with homes so as not to attract the ire of
homeowners associations. Johnston's catios are constructed
with a strong steel mesh-durable enough to keep pets in and
keep predators out but also not sharp and thus safe for a
climbing cat's paws.
He's also made sure that his designs are easy to relocate in
case of a move.
18 Georgia Magazine February 2025
Robert Johnston (Catio Bob) stands outside his Athens
workshop with a custom-built catio that provides fun and
sun for his shop's resident rescue cats.
While his business, Catio Bob, is successful, Johnston has
made it clear that his love of cats has been the driving force of
his work. He's built enclosures and enrichment rooms for
various animal shelters, including Athens-Clarke County
Animal Services, the Athens Area Humane Society, Furkids
Animal Rescue and Shelters in Atlanta and Madison Oglethorpe
Animal Shelter in Danielsville.
He's also become a public speaker and an advocate for his
furry friends, addressing groups at conferences and other events
nationwide to stress the importance of giving cats a safe and
entertaining space to relax.
" You can let your cats get outside, get fresh air, enjoy the
birds and the bugs and everything else, " Johnston says. " And
you don't have to worry a bit about them. It's great enrichment
for these guys. It really helps them maintain a good mental state
and can increase their lifespans and protect local wildlife. "
Cameron Whitlock is a freelance writer and cat dad who
lives in Douglasville.
For more information, visit catiobob.com.
COURTESY ROBERT JOHNSTON
http://www.catiobob.com
Georgia Magazine - February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - February 2025
