will simply become an addition to your present routine. Should you wish to welcome a kitten into your life and presently reside in a pet restricted residence then consider your journey started by reading this publication. Every cat has a story with each owner encountering a unique experience.
Having lived with both adult felines and new kittens in various rental properties I have acquired personal knowledge of many situations confronting tenants. You will discover how to cope with the daily stresses involved when hiding your cat and how to minimize them. With a new kitten you can expect various changes to occur within your household. We suggest how you may adjust your current lifestyle to benefit your personal well-being and that of your treasured cat. The adoption of a grieving feline following the loss of their owner will also be examined. If you are residing in a rental home with pet restrictions you may have conflicting emotions regarding such a commitment.
I unexpectantly inherited two domestic felines from a dear friend following her death. With time I came to appreciate how deeply cats remain committed to their original owner when such a loss occurs. Everyone processes grief in an unique manner and the same time sensitivity should be respected while coping with a grieving feline. When establishing your own relationship with a feline experiencing loss there remains a delicate emotional balance that must be respected before any bonding may occur. Whether or not you have the advantage of an established relationship with an inherited cat this publication will provide assistance to encourage a successful bonding. Felines do grieve and will react when a beloved owner appears to have abandoned them. This information will assist you in understanding cats during such a transitional time and explain how to establish your own intimate bond with them.
We will be presenting selected information from our Felines by Design series of publications. This will further assist to ease your transition when residing with a feline in a rental property. The concept of a compatible kitten for each buyer became the foundation of how kittens were sold in my cattery. It’s imperative to learn the right method to locate a healthy and compatible kitten or adult domestic or purebred feline. By incorporating our Felines by Design principles you will have the knowledge to select the perfect feline personality for your situation. Some cats are specifically suited for residing in smaller spaces such as apartments, townhouses and condominiums. We affectionately refer to these felines as being the Perfect Condo Kitty. Finally, we also advise which designer personalities are best suited for quiet feline companionship.
~~One small cat changes coming home to an empty house to coming home~~ Pam Brown
Jasmine’s Story of Feline Concealment
My experience with feline concealment began when I rented a small house from my friend’s parents who lived several miles away. Fortunately the subject of pets was never discussed when the house was first viewed. I thought the less said the better and with no contract signed I was accepted as the new tenant. I introduced my three pet cats and was finally able to provide my hidden treasures with additional freedom of movement in a larger space.
As a writer of artistic temperament I confess to periods of time when I am overly sensitive. Therefore never knowing when the Landlord would intrude upon our privacy I was always prepared. As the years passed I knew chances were the presence of my cats would eventually be realized. However due to continued diligence and careful precautions over a 30-year span of residing in apartments, condos and duplexes this fear never materialized. Even during the transfer of ownership of our home and the additional stress of new Landlords we were never discovered.
Although some may view this presentation as deceitful this isn’t how I have chosen to live my life. I was faced with a set of circumstances and simply could not bear losing my cats. Therefore I considered myself blessed and was prepared to live within my limited boundaries. While the Landlord was never aware of my cats I spent a great deal of time enduring additional costs in caring for the house. The previous tenants had been evicted because they were selling drugs from the premises. As a result even though the Landlord had known me for many years I was aware that the neighbors were watching my home carefully. I kept the outside grounds well maintained and the property clean never providing my neighbors with any cause to complain.
Inside, my house was immaculately clean and the carpets remained sanitary. Guests to our home were questioned if they were able to detect the presence of my cats. I was usually informed that there was no visible evidence typical of felines residing in a house. My cats provided such wealth to my life that although there was additional work I have never regretted my decision. Despite the stress I believe residing with my beloved cats gave my life greater purpose and they were well worth any additional expense. I was a single mother with very little money. However my rent was always paid on time and I never complained about anything that needed to be addressed on the property. If I wasn’t able to make a repair myself then I paid for a professional and never troubled my Landlord.
Yes, I hid my cats. Despite how challenging the life of a single mother may become my cats were my salvation and my life would have been empty without them. In appreciation for my Landlord’s trust I was the model tenant. Over time as that trust became established my Landlord remained comfortable with our rental agreement and I was seldom contacted. Considering I was not following all the rules I always made sure they were pleased with every aspect of my tenancy.
After five years I was comfortable within my rental surroundings to begin my life’s purpose of breeding purebred felines. Over many years my cattery produced countless litters of kittens with several stud males and many breeding queens. I encountered few problems despite the number of felines living within our premises. My good fortune is credited to always being prepared, organized and never providing my Landlord with any reason to complain. Therefore I am addressing this subject as both a Feline Behavior Consultant and Registered Cat Breeder having acquired years of experience by living with felines in seclusion.
~~With the qualities of cleanliness, affection, patience, dignity and courage that cats have, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of becoming cats?~~ Fernand Mery
Examining VariousLiving Accommodations
Some tenants are required to hide a feline with whom they have established a long and intimate relationship. In such a situation your greatest advantage is the knowledge of your cat’s personal idiosyncrasies. By sharing a loving relationship you are well aware of their noise and current activity levels. Therefore you may be reasonably certain if they will comfortably adapt to living in relative seclusion.
There are times in life when circumstances dictate a move. The loss of a spouse or of a significant relationship through death or divorce may determine a change in finances. As a result, often during an emotional crisis a change of residence will become a necessity. Confronting such a difficult situation should not have to include losing a beloved cat. Hence many people may be faced with renting for the first time and also being placed in a situation where hiding their cat is a necessity for their emotional health.
Consider your finances. Are you restricted to apartment life? Are you able to purchase a condo or is the rental of a townhouse within your financial budget? We will fully examine both the advantages and disadvantages when residing within these and other types of living accommodations.
Apartments
Apartment living may be a satisfying experience for both feline and owner. Depending on the availability of rental accommodations it need not prove impossible to locate a reasonably priced apartment. Although every city will fluctuate in cost there are solutions for every tenant’s situation.
It may require additional effort to locate the appropriate apartment for residing comfortably with your feline. Over the years it has remained my personal belief that in life “you only keep what you give away.” To keep your precious cat any work and expense required
