Thom and Meara Arboren live in Portland, Oregon with their 6 cats and their custom 100 sq ft Catio. They built their first catio in 2020, when they blended their cat families. Donnie and Artie, Meara’s cats, fell in love with Nell’s simple catio. Then, what started as a simple 2x4x6ft catio grew into a 20 ft, 3-part catio, which gave each cat space to roam safely in the sun!

Thom’s construction experience began as early as he can remember, always willing to help his large family with home renovations from painting to drywall to plumbing. As a young adult he became an apprentice in drafting and CNC woodworking, then earned his Associates Degree and Certificate in Computer Aided Drafting from Portland Community College. Since then he continues to learn and grow his design skills utilizing a range of softwares and machine manufacturing techniques. Always looking to create and to innovate, he joined the Ministry of Stupid Ideas and spent the last decade bringing projects of high complexity but questionable value, to life. Thom designed and led the build of the Ill-considered Strength-O-Meter, an interactive 37-foot Fire-spouting High Striker at the 2024 Portland Winter Lights Festival. Other contributions include the Eternal Flame of Stupid Ideas (PWLF 2025).

In 2021, Meara’s parents moved to Portland, fell in love with the catio the couple had constructed for their own cats, and decided they wanted a catio of their own. They decided on an enclosed back porch and separate tower for their side yard. As the build progressed, they began to spitball the idea of someday building a 30 foot bridge to span the separate catios. Those evening and weekend brainstorming and dream sessions blossomed into a plan for 3 scale models of real Portland bridges.