![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FVPIIY4FYK6GHMJAFLTTY66KPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=8a19f5690d90c8048564de458d11cf9e2f2a30c6898c81b6e16783dcb29a303c&width=400&height=225)
The finished project with furniture, including an old cat tree and a chair.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VA646PBSK2VKI3E7SIQLJOSMRE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6cbba7637f0cd0a5dd16f75dd95ebdc7158f02bd948fad4c9527f4c39e7b3c2d&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau's backyard space in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Evelyn Lau
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/COVZLJ4CCCMFERQHM7LVPZV7MY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4051451ce1193557a299b848f9e2dea43e86042a0e74dd3968a392b5e7a6bec2&width=400&height=225)
The initial design for creating a patio for her four cats.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/67D5AJUMWNZEOS57R4AGHPFHUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=08cfe46f23b37f85dc95e41864122c285926e0dc069c4d8c48db088e887e325b&width=400&height=225)
Ernesto putting together the catio. It took him about three days to build.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SOZY23SWFACJGXCANYHNQFRHWY.jpg?smart=true&auth=0398f4b228508dd4fcd413a4a338ef268166955c5302eb93c0ad055a1ef4af0b&width=400&height=225)
Two shelves are installed so that the cats can enjoy different views.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QJIEEQ3YD6EX2B6YLGJRTYSDV4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3acf5e8744a7879c6a51564e5412dc143b8925eb7bb32b319f37ccdb90fe8e78&width=400&height=225)
Completion of the catio.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OOSNUPDETWXHT6X52WVEBLVFSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=12dee661c8897f32f29b536dd9a585d0d42763d936e5a8eaed83f700405a05db&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau's cat Amy stares out the front door of the catio.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XRVAT267MPYYYBC3PZDBICHT6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e536523f93868256b3715465056bb5fbc2c8401949451cfc7f2d528ce7a5b39&width=400&height=225)
An old cat tree gets added into the catio with scratching posts.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M6CPTBRTC57LCA7NUJTBWDKO3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=5c94850870c6e97b5b054eddf34175b95f5b7ecdb6c6bed33a6d0374882362e0&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau's cats Georgie and Zabeeb resting on a ledge.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FVPIIY4FYK6GHMJAFLTTY66KPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=8a19f5690d90c8048564de458d11cf9e2f2a30c6898c81b6e16783dcb29a303c&width=400&height=225)
The finished project with furniture, including an old cat tree and a chair.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VA646PBSK2VKI3E7SIQLJOSMRE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6cbba7637f0cd0a5dd16f75dd95ebdc7158f02bd948fad4c9527f4c39e7b3c2d&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau's backyard space in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Evelyn Lau
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/COVZLJ4CCCMFERQHM7LVPZV7MY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4051451ce1193557a299b848f9e2dea43e86042a0e74dd3968a392b5e7a6bec2&width=400&height=225)
The initial design for creating a patio for her four cats.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/67D5AJUMWNZEOS57R4AGHPFHUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=08cfe46f23b37f85dc95e41864122c285926e0dc069c4d8c48db088e887e325b&width=400&height=225)
Ernesto putting together the catio. It took him about three days to build.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SOZY23SWFACJGXCANYHNQFRHWY.jpg?smart=true&auth=0398f4b228508dd4fcd413a4a338ef268166955c5302eb93c0ad055a1ef4af0b&width=400&height=225)
Two shelves are installed so that the cats can enjoy different views.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QJIEEQ3YD6EX2B6YLGJRTYSDV4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3acf5e8744a7879c6a51564e5412dc143b8925eb7bb32b319f37ccdb90fe8e78&width=400&height=225)
Completion of the catio.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OOSNUPDETWXHT6X52WVEBLVFSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=12dee661c8897f32f29b536dd9a585d0d42763d936e5a8eaed83f700405a05db&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau's cat Amy stares out the front door of the catio.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XRVAT267MPYYYBC3PZDBICHT6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e536523f93868256b3715465056bb5fbc2c8401949451cfc7f2d528ce7a5b39&width=400&height=225)
An old cat tree gets added into the catio with scratching posts.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M6CPTBRTC57LCA7NUJTBWDKO3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=5c94850870c6e97b5b054eddf34175b95f5b7ecdb6c6bed33a6d0374882362e0&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau's cats Georgie and Zabeeb resting on a ledge.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FVPIIY4FYK6GHMJAFLTTY66KPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=8a19f5690d90c8048564de458d11cf9e2f2a30c6898c81b6e16783dcb29a303c&width=400&height=225)
The finished project with furniture, including an old cat tree and a chair.
Building a 'catio': Why I spent Dh3,000 on an outside space for my four rescue cats
I had ideas of creating a social outdoor space in my new Abu Dhabi villa, but I also knew I needed to make it special for my pets, too
![Evelyn Lau](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F326930c8-426e-4292-8915-488062faf4ec.png?smart=true&auth=bf65363a4ec5524d4fde02fe884073b2948f09e3aaac804a1077fa41b77f1ecb&width=70&height=70)
Evelyn Lau
30 May, 2020
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic