Retiree crafts colorful 'Catirondack' chairs for cats

Curtis McIff has made the mini Adirondack chairs for the past nine years.

April 20, 2026, 4:58 PM

A retiree in southern Utah has volunteered to craft "Catirondack" chairs for the cats of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab for the past nine years.

Curtis McIff told ABC News' Danny New he has been making the colorful chairs for the cats since 2017.

Curtis McIff makes miniature Adirondack chairs for the cats of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah
Best Friends Animal Society

At first, he said he made some chairs for his cats at home from leftover lumber. He said his wife later suggested he make them for the felines at the sanctuary where they both volunteered.

"She had a favorite cat in each room that she would like to see be able to lounge in the sun without doing it on the cold concrete," McIff recalled. "I said, 'All right, I'll try.'"

Curtis McIff makes miniature Adirondack chairs for the cats of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah
Best Friends Animal Society

Over the last nine years, McIff said he estimates he has made at least 80 mini "Catirondack" chairs, complete with six coats of paint each, for the felines at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

He said he has since expanded to making cat day beds as well.

When he sees the cats take naps on his chairs, McIff said it "makes me feel good."

"Makes it feel like it's worthwhile," he added.

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