Elevated Design
for the
Discerning Cat
Custom indoor environments, commercial cat sanctuaries, and whimsically engineered furniture, built to improve the lives of cats and their humans.
Cats live three-dimensionally.
They require vertical territory, secure vantage points, and plenty of spots to roam, play… and nap.
With this in mind, we merge formal structural principles with a playful, artistic wit. From custom-designed and custom-built cat cafés and shelter sanctuaries to clever, sculptural pieces for your living room, we design products and spaces that elevate your home’s aesthetic while honoring your cat’s truest nature.
Square Paws’ mission is to improve the lives of animals by bringing beauty, fun, enrichment, and value to the world of pets and their humans through the creation of unique, artful products and environments.
Created by architect Mario Arbore with the skilled carpentry work of Benedito Faria, we dream of making the most wonderful and marvelous cat furniture in the world.
Testimonials
“My most adventurous cat, Buttercup, likes to climb up to the top where there’s a perch she sits on and looks out the window, naps, or just watches the ceiling fan go around. It’s very sturdy and has plenty of places for the cats to scratch, climb, jump, play with each other and sleep!”
– Julie L.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
– Sheila K.
California
“Mario designed and built the most exquisite catio for our cats – it far exceeded our expectations and we are still so grateful that we found him. Each day I look out and see this example of functional art and marvel at how fortunate we are then I see how how happy our cats are when out there.
– Michele S.
About Us
Mario Arbore
Mario is the founder of Square Paws and is an architect by trade. It’s this skill that helps perfect our designs.
As a graduate of Syracuse University, Mario has over 30 years experience in architecture, both commercial and residential. His interest in various building typologies and iconic everyday elements coupled with a love for art and color sparks his imagination in our cat creations.
Benedito Faria
Benedito is our master craftsman who helps build our pieces and handles shipping and logistics.
A previous Maryland-resident, Benedito was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where his creative education was honed by the long-standing “samba school” tradition that marries song and dance with the creation of elaborate displays and floats for the annual Rio “carneval.”
Custom Environments
Bespoke Environments & Scale Installations
Transform any space into a feline paradise. We manage the entire process, from conceptual blueprints and 3D renderings to final installation.
Signature Pieces
Cleverly Designed Signature Pieces
Bring our curated collection into your space. Explore our line of handcrafted, standalone furniture, cat towers, and design-forward scratchpads built in our studio.
Commercial & Sanctuary Impact
A beautiful environment is powerful,
but a functional one saves lives. Our commercial work reimagines how humans and cats interact in public spaces. We design high-traffic, durable, and easily cleanable environments for cat cafés and shelters. These spaces reduce feline stress, allow them space to play and rest, and ultimately help them find their forever homes faster.
Designed to be lived in and loved.