My wife and I have been caring for a couple of cats that appeared in our backyard when we first moved into our current house about 10 years ago. Over the years they have warmed up to us, demanding pets, and even spending most of their time in our house (as long as they have a way to get back outside). They have been neutered and are getting older, about 11-12 years old now. We would have already made them indoor only cats, but I am very allergic to cats and have asthma, so that isn’t really an option for us.

We are looking to buy a new house in the next few months, and are looking for a way to bring them with us. My thought is to have a large shed that they can use as a shelter and we can put litter boxes in, and then build a catio around it so they can be contained to the shed, some protected and enclosed outdoor space, or in our house.

I guess what I am asking for is advice from others who have done something similar. What are things to have in this new space, things to avoid, or ways to make this move and transition as easy as possible on them? Leaving them behind to fend for themselves is not an option, and neither is making them indoor only pets.