Indoor cats and catios

The CatCare lady introduced me to a concept I would never even have considered – had it been suggested by anyone else: Indoor cats! Same as you, my first thought was: locking cats inside? Denying them outdoor fun? Isn’t that cruel?

Have you ever picked the remains of your pet off the street, or ‘lost’ a cat – who went out as usual one day and simply never returned ... or nursed a mangled pet, or worse, held it’s paw while the vet administers the final release from pain?

Is it cruel to deny pets these outdoor risks? We already do so with dogs: instead of running wild, we take them for walks. We keep fish-tanks. Hamsters, Guinea-pigs  and/or rabbits in a cage. We do so with birds, keeping them safe in entertaining cages – perhaps letting them out while we’re at home. (I’m not a bird- or a dog-person). We ensure they have everything they need: we provide toys, amenities and play-time. All pets we keep indoors – and only allow supervised outdoor visits. So why not cats? Why risk their lives?

Take Silver, now with her kittens, she’s not just indoors but inside the wardrobe all day! No problem. So, I tried NOT letting her out, last night – as opposed to coaxing her outside, like I did the past few days. It was fine until I wanted to go to bed, that’s when she insisted on going out. She stayed out about twenty minutes, then ran back to her brood. I’m not sure whether I can ever turn Silver into a fully indoor cat – but the kittens should not be a problem.

I will have to make some changes in my home, though. Firstly, I’ll need to experiment with a variety of sand until we find one we both agree on – Silver and I, that is. She’s not keen on the gravel Mynx was used to. I’m not keen on using ground from outside. Then, she/they’ll need something to scratch – all the cats like the Tecoma branches I use to border my vegetable patch, so that’s a start. And then: Climbing! I’ll need some structure cats can climb, sleep on, etc. Lastly: entertainment – the CatCare lady suggested a cat-window-balcony and I’ve done some research on catio’s – such a lovely idea! I still have some time before the kittens start exploring beyond their nest – but not all that much time! I should start looking around Builders Warehouse (not Express!) for materials with which I can build something myself – since catio’s are not yet freely available in South Africa.

All this time I opted not to adopt or give a home to a cat, simply because I have no outdoor area for them! Of course, I’ll still have a lot of trouble finding a place to rent. Some places even refuse to allow children! I remember how difficult it always was to find a place where Mynx was allowed; if it isn’t the landlords saying NO, everything, just: NO then it usually is so-called Body Corporates – after a single bad experience with an irresponsible tenant they simply make a new rule denying everything. Often landlords even ‘hide behind’ Body Corporates – claiming rules that don’t exist, as in “It’s not me, it’s the Body Corporate. They don’t allow ...” sneaky cowards!

Having done a bit of research online, my brain is firing on all cylinders! I’m not much of a carpenter – at least, I don’t know, I’ve never tried. I will start with something simple: a perch for Silver to escape her brood – as suggested.

Back at home I couldn’t resist a leisurely tour through the garden. My neighbour joined me with her ‘Shadow’. Silver came down as well – even went outside the garden (which I did NOT like, but can’t prevent). If I’m not careful, I’ll end up rearing the kittens alone!

Quite a lot of flowers are blooming in both gardens. I’ll have to take a photo-tour of my neighbours this weekend – provided it doesn’t rain! I do hope for at least one rain-free day this weekend – the beds need attention again and there’s still the end patch to clear of weeds. Our poor rockery is covered in weeds, we both hope our gardener turns up soon to assist. And guess what? Two stray tomato plants are flourishing in our rockery! How they got there? Not a clue!

Upstairs I put the covers (which I washed & dried last night) back on the feather pillows, then moved the kittens – which distressed poor Silver, although since I placed them near her food, she got distracted and started eating. I placed the pillows under the blanket and put the kittens back. At least now, if she sits or lies down on top of them – as she is wont to do – they won’t be squashed!

For a laugh: Our project manager asked to see the kittens next time he’s in the country – I replied: That’s how I lure men into my bedroom! He he.

As I’m writing this, the neighbour’s tomcat is nibbling on the food I leave outside. When done, he decides to take a look around my flat!?! What is it with every cat coming in like this is some sort of free viewing? Or could it be he’s exploring his options since Shadow has moved in? Chuckle, I better warn my neighbour!

Well, I’ve selected the photos from the past week for this blog – but I’ve run out of time, so you’ll have to wait till tomorrow. I’d made a decision to be more productive in the evenings and tonight I did make good on my decision. And now it’s time to bath, then bed.