Malaysia’s First Outdoor Cat Park Opens in Shah Alam

According to Shah Alam Mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim, as reported by The Star, the city is the most cat-friendly in Selangor. It is an initiative by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), and their landscape architect, Khairunnisa Mohd Zaini, took over a month to design the space. She gathered input from local cat lovers and put on her thinking cat (sorry we had to) to truly understand feline needs.

Cat owners face challenges keeping their pets indoors. Some are afraid to let their pets roam outdoors as they may fight with other cats or contract skin diseases. The council allocated the open space for the cat playground to encourage owners to bring their pets outdoors and encourage their overall development.

The 800sqm park provides a haven for cats to explore, exercise, and bask in the sunshine. Additionally, the area is ringed by a 1.2m-high anti-climb fence.

The park even has an orange cat mascot named Oyen, which aims to attract children to Catopia and educate them about responsible pet care. MBSA will also hold regular talks for cat owners on feline grooming, neutering, vaccination and deworming.

These are some toys that will be available there:

• Cat Peak Set: A tall structure for cats to climb and hone their climbing skills.
• Cat Condominium: A multi-story resting place for cats to sleep and relax.
• Cat Wheel Set: Wheels that cats can use to run and exercise.
• Cat Tree Bridge: A bridge that connects various structures, allowing cats to jump and explore.
• Cat Tree House: A tree house for cats that provides multiple levels and space to climb, play, and rest, simulating a cat's natural habitat in a tree.
• Chase Ball Set: A set of balls that cats can chase, encouraging play and training.
• Cat Tunnel Play: A tunnel for cats to explore and play hide and seek.
• Underground Cat Tunnel: An underground tunnel for cats to hide and play.
• Rope Play: A rope structure designed for cats to climb and play on to encourage physical activity and help hone their motor skills.
• Cat Loop Run: A specially designed path for cats to run without obstacles.

Here are some of the additional features of Catopia:

• Cat Shelter and Food: Provide shelter from the weather. Free dry food will be provided as owners cannot bring outside food into the park.
• Mini Shower Pool for Cats: A place for cats to play in the water and cool off.
• Grass Area: For cats to run and play on.
• Cat Litter Area: A designated place for cats to carry out their business and keep the garden clean.

However, strict checks will be carried out to ensure only healthy, vaccinated, and neutered cats enter the park to prevent issues like allergies, infections, and rashes from arising.

Watch this video of what it looks like:

@sacitycouncil Jom bawa kucing peliharaan anda HEALING di Catopia Taman Rekreasi Kucing Pertama Shah Alam! MASUK ADALAH PERCUMA ! Lokasi : Taman Permainan Dataran Kemerdekaan Shah Alam, Seksyen 14 Shah Alam (Belakang Hotel Mardhiyyah) Waktu Operasi : 10.00 pagi - 7.00 petang #weloveshahalam #KitaSelangorMajuBersama #MalaysiaMadani #fyp #pencintakucing #kucing #shahalam #catopia #tamanrekreasi ♬ MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS) - Tommy Richman

Catopia Shah Alam is open to visitors for free every day until 31 December 2024 from 10 am to 7 pm. During two-hour sessions, it can accommodate up to 20 cats at a time.

Address: Taman Permainan Dataran Kemerdekaan Shah Alam, Seksyen 14 Shah Alam (behind Hotel Mardhiyyah).

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