A digital creator has spoken up about a growing concern at Catopia, Malaysia’s first outdoor cat park located in Shah Alam. His message is simple: Catopia is a space built for cats, not for children to play in.
Photo via Instagram (ahmaddriyal)
On 2 June, Ahmad Riyal shared an Instagram reel urging parents to stop treating Catopia like a regular playground. His post, which has received over 1,100 likes, highlights several safety risks that come with allowing children to run around unsupervised in the cat-focused park.
“Dear parents, please do not let your children play in Catopia. This beautifully designed space is meant for cats only, not kids,” he wrote in his caption.
In the video, Riyal pointed out a few important reasons why the park is unsuitable for children:
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The stairs have no railings
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Elevated platforms are built without proper guardrails
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Most of the surfaces are hard and lack padding, which increases the risk of injury if a child falls
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The cats may feel scared or uncomfortable if chased or handled roughly by children
While Catopia may look playful and magical, it is clearly designed to suit the movement, comfort and safety of cats. Child safety was never part of the design.
Riyal also mentioned that there are two proper children’s playgrounds right next to Catopia. He encouraged parents to make use of those spaces instead, “Let’s respect cat spaces and keep our kids safe,” he added.
Catopia opened its gates last year and remains a one-of-a-kind park in Malaysia dedicated entirely to cats. The park allows a maximum of 20 cats and their owners per two-hour session.
If you're planning a family visit to Shah Alam, it’s best to let the little ones enjoy the nearby playgrounds while your furry companions have their fun in Catopia.
