Raspberry Pi CatBot monitors for stray cats and texts you a photo

Over the years, we’ve seen a variety of animal-related Raspberry Pi projects, from monitoring bear populations to detecting pets with the help of a Pi. Now, maker and developer Michael Suguitan has introduced CatBot, a sophisticated system designed to monitor stray cats using a Raspberry Pi Zero. The setup is centered around a bowl of cat food monitored by a camera, which snaps a picture and sends a text message to a designated number when a cat is detected.

CatBot’s design isn’t just limited to capturing images of visiting cats; it also includes a feature to deter birds from eating the cat food. Recognizing that birds can pose a problem, Suguitan added a functionality that uses an actuator to tap on the window and scare off birds when they’re detected. This thoughtful addition ensures that the food remains accessible primarily to the cats it’s intended for.

The project utilizes two Raspberry Pi boards: a Pi Zero for running the camera monitor and a Raspberry Pi 5 for handling image recognition and sending text messages via Twilio. The Pi Zero operates a Flask server, enabling communication with the Pi 5, while a simple Python script manages the camera. This layered approach allows for effective monitoring and interaction with the environment.

Suguitan has made the entire project open source, sharing the code and detailed instructions on GitHub. Interested users can explore the project further, with a comprehensive build guide available on Suguitan’s website and a demonstration video on YouTube showcasing the bird deterrent feature in action. CatBot offers an innovative solution for anyone interested in monitoring stray cats or protecting outdoor pet food from unwanted visitors.

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