Catio Bob's Enclosures: From Retirement Hobby to Global $325M Industry
Catio Bob, a retired welder and animal enclosure specialist, has found unexpected success in his second career. His custom-built outdoor enclosures for cats, known as catios, have gained global popularity. The industry is now valued at $325 million and projected to double by 2033, reflecting a nationwide trend of cat popularity.
Johnston, who personally owns 14 cats, started his business with the intention of building an enclosure every couple of months to stay busy in retirement. However, demand for his unique products grew unexpectedly, leading him to move into a larger warehouse to accommodate the growing orders. Today, he and his assistant, Allison, create each catio by hand from sketch drawings, without using any software.
Catio Bob's enclosures are not just popular in the United States. Orders have poured in from around the world, including Australia, England, and South America. Johnston is currently working on a 15-by-8-foot catio with an attached building and tunnels for a family in South Carolina. A typical 6-by-8-foot enclosure costs about $4,000, providing ample space for felines.
From a retirement hobby to a global my business, Catio Bob's enclosures have become a symbol of the growing cat popularity. With the industry expected to double in the next nine years, Johnston's unique, handcrafted products continue to meet a rising demand.
