A little while ago. Liz Filmer Landscaping constructed a cat enclosure for The Vets clinic in Sale. Animal enclosures are a fabulous way for your pets to enjoy the outside world, without getting themselves into strife.
But rather than explain the benefits to you, we thought we’d go directly to the source: Athena and Kucing, resident felines, have been kind enough to take time out of their busy schedule to chat with Liz about their new home at the clinic:
Liz: This looks like a fun place for cats to hang out! Why did The Vets decide to build you a cat enclosure at the clinic?
A: The team at The Vets thought it would give their pet-families ideas on what they could do at their own homes. Cat enclosures are good for people who live on busy roads, so we don't end up as 'flat cats’.
K: It also stops the tomcats getting into fights over me—they find me irresistible. I think it’s something to do with testosterone, but they end up seriously injuring one another.
A: It stops the spread of disease like cat AIDS if they aren’t all roaming the streets at night chasing such floozies.
Liz: What are some of your needs that must be considered when constructing a cat enclosure?
A: Well, just like our human owners, we need shelter to be able to get out of the wind and rain and have fresh food and water.
K: I must have a sunbaking spot to keep my healthy glow, preferably nice and high up so dogs can’t perv on me.
A: We need somewhere clean to go to the toilet. Public toilets won't do—we don't like to share toilets and like you humans, nor do we like a dirty, wet or smelly bathroom.
K: Speaking of using toilets, we like a bit of roughage in our diet to keep us regular, so we have a great crop of cat grass growing here. Yummy.
A: I like to have a place to hide. Recently I had some surgery on my eye, and the doctors sewed my eyelid shut to help it heal. I didn't want everyone seeing me looking like that.
K: I thought it was an improvement Athena. I must have a regular manicure, so I need a scratching pole for that.
Liz: How have you settled into your new home? Have you chosen a particular spot to call your own?
A: Yes, that’s my cat box there with the cat-shaped window.
No one else is allowed in there.
Kucing spends all her time sunbaking up on the hammock.
Liz: Would you like to have more cats join you in here? How many cats do you reckon could live happily together here?
A: We aren’t keen on anyone else moving in with us as we like our privacy. When cats live together, we usually prefer it if we are all a similar age and are not sexually active—that just creates too many issues, not to mention the noise.
K: I guess we have plenty of places in this enclosure to get away and have a bit of time to ourselves, so we probably wouldn’t notice it if a couple more cats our age moved in. Sometimes Athena won't talk to me, just sits in her box, but I don't let it get to me. We don't want any young ones; I like to think of this place as a 'lifestyle village' for us to enjoy our twilight years.[2]
Liz: Do you smile for the passing motorists; you must get a few looks?
K: I get a good view when I’m sunbaking; some people think I am sitting in mid-air as they can’t see my hammock because of the fence.
A: I prefer to give them one of my icy stares— it freaks them out.
Liz: At least you are close to the hospital should you have any emergencies. Do you get a discount on treatments?
K: Well, because we are both turning 106 next year we need to be close to the hospital, which is one of the reasons we moved in here. The nurses are just lovely; we do get special treatment.
Liz: One hundred and six?! Gee, you are both holding your age well. I noticed you Kucing doing a few manoeuvres on the equipment; you keep in excellent shape.
K: Yes, I like to keep fit, not like Athena, she has let herself go a bit.
Liz: Kucing, your long coat must take some brushing to keep looking so lovely.
K: Well it would appear that way, but because I am a Birman I have a very special coat that doesn’t mat. I still enjoy being groomed, though.
A: She likes the attention.
Liz: Well it's great to see you both looking so well, and I'm sure there will be a lot of jealous cats out there who wish they had one of these wonderlands in their backyard.
A: They just have to get their owners to get the team at Liz Filmer Landscaping to build one for them!