This is a simple question. Nothing clever. There are no underhand intentions here. I just want to know why, in a land of space and relatively low house prices for an industrialized country, there are very, very few cat gardens when something approaching half the population keep a cat or cats.
By “cat garden” I mean a cat enclosure. As I said, this is just a question but I’d bet I get very few responses. The reason why I am back onto this well discussed subject is because Sir Patrick Moore had a cat garden. He was smart, kind and he loved cats – a lot. He has a chapter about his cat garden in his book “Miaow!”. The enclosure was built by him for his two cats Jeannie and Ptolemy.
There are very few cat enclosures in Britain too. There is less space in Britain and smaller gardens or no gardens but there is still the possibility to build a cat enclosure.
If Sir Patrick recommended them I happy take his advice. Not that I have to because I have promoted this topic for years on PoC. I live in an apartment so I can’t build an enclosure. I have a garden but it is a communal garden. I have no right to build an enclosure on it.
I know that in suburban America a lot of homes are detached and a lot of gardens are fairly large. A good sized cat enclosure is a distinct possibility and very workable. But….almost none exist. Why do Americans prefer to keep their cats inside rather than give them some safe space outside?
There are many dangers facing the domestic cat outside. In the UK the dangers include; traffic, dogs, poisons and infectious diseases. Giving cats a large enclosed garden eliminates these dangers. A cat can get some sunlight and some weather on their backs and smell the big outdoors, be stimulated and all in safely. A good enclosure will cure a lot of what I call “grey illnesses” caused by boredom and stress. These are uncategorized or undiagnosed illnesses. What is the big objection to them by Americans when there is oodles of space.
Domestic cats have a natural urge to wander over a space much larger than a home. But if allowed to wander they face health risks because they have lost the skills to survive and in any case it is dangerous out there. Most dangers for cats are human created.
If I had a chance I would jump at the opportunity to build a cat garden. They are relatively cheap and provide peace of mind for the cat owner and safety and stimulation for the cat.
What is the barrier to building one in America? Answers on a postcard…or a comment.
It’s really win-win. Remember my tortie, Sadie? It took awhile, but I got her used to a body harness. I’d put it on her for 10 minutes at a time inside, then dragging a leash inside for a few minutes and finally, we tried it outside on the porch. She loved it. In summer, I’d hitch the harness loop to a retractable leash to give her a bit more freedom (additional 20Ft).
Abby is getting used to it, although it’s taking longer. We’re only at the back porch stage now. Maybe by next summer, we’ll be able to go into the backyard so she can roll around in the grass without trying to squirm out of her harness.
Unless laws have changed recently, if the enclosure is only chicken wire over a wood/metal frame and is not permanently affixed (changing the structural integrity) to the building, no permit is needed. The building codes I refer to are for some of the more elaborate catios we’ve all seen. If a catio is built like an extra room, it’s subject to restriction. If, however, someone changed an existing sunroom to a catio, no permits are needed providing the actual structure remains. Adding shelving, cat lifts, etc. doesn’t apply.
Apartment dwellers, if they have the room, can create an indoor garden with shelving and indoor cat lifts providing they are free-standing and don’t alter the interior of the unit. Lots of windows for light (with cat-proof screens) and growing fresh catnip placed strategically can help alleviate stress.
Personally I like the idea of a Maine Coon in a harness going for a walk. Very impressive and quite brave really because not many people do that.
Thanks for a full comment Gail. A cat enclosure is just wood and chicken wire. It could be 30 x 40 feet. It is not a big deal of a structure. It could be built by a house owner. Do people need planning permission for this sort of thing?
Massachusetts is one of the enlightened states I feel. I’ll be honest, across the USA and depending on state and local regulations, I don’t think planning or regulations stop people building cat enclosures it is more to do with a lack of motivation. The cat is low priority. People accept cat killing in the millions.
Dorothy, to answer your question about pets welcomed in apartments, it varies. In metropolitan cities (Boston, New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles), it’s usually NO PETS, especially in high-end properties. Some landlords may allow a cat, but some demand they be declawed; most don’t ask.
Some states require a pet deposit as part of the rental fee. Massachusetts is strict – pet deposits are against the law; however, a landlord may keep part of the security deposit if pet damage is proven.
Smaller towns and suburban areas may allow pets, but even then, there may be restrictions on how many, the size, the type. Some places won’t allow noisy birds; some won’t allow small yappy dogs. There’s no set rule, except for service animals.
Service animals are protected under federal law and even if pets are forbidden, service animals are exempt and landlords are required to accept them.
As much as I can feel Ruth cringe, my Abby (Maine Coon) needs a body harness/leash to go outside. Our small city is densely populated, the majority being renters in multi-family buildings. It’s better than being stuck inside 24/7.