time and effort. When you have been blessed with a loving feline her comforting presence will only continue to enrich your life.
My mother has never quite understood my passion or the great comfort I have realized by living with my cats. Even though she has confided her desire to eventually own a cat she complains she can’t abide the loss of their fur. However, true cat lovers consider a feline’s shedding coat as simply a part of life when residing with cats. I would patiently remind my mother that despite a little more work, grooming my cats was another treasured moment in our daily relationship. It was well worth the time and effort because my attention was returned with their love and affection. Therefore when incurring additional costs to include a beloved cat while renting, consider how much comfort she offers to your life. With everything considered you would still be obligated to manage the cost of renting an apartment had you decided to live without her.
~~How you behave toward cats here below determines your status in Heaven~~ Richard A. Heinlein
Selecting an Apartment
The size of your building may actually provide additional privacy. In a high rise residence with a greater number of tenants you become one of many and your presence is not as noticeable. The placement of your apartment within the building is of the utmost importance as it may have a direct effect on your personal stress level and hence the behavior of your cat.
If you are moving to a new apartment it simply makes sense to rent as far away from the Manager as possible. Do not accept an apartment on the lower floors or at the front of the building. Some larger high rise buildings contain apartments not only on the front and back but more preferably along both sides of the building. If there are no streets on one side of the building those apartments will be rewarded with greater privacy. If such a location is unavailable another preferable location would be facing a parking lot. People returning home from work are seldom looking up into windows. If you are located a good distance from the elevator and situated at the far end of a hall, fewer people will be passing your door. It is also mandatory that you only accept an apartment where the building provides a controlled entrance. Many larger high rise apartments are also equipped with video surveillance for additional security. Tenants are able to view all visitors on their cable television prior to permitting entry into the building.
Choosing to reside at higher levels may allow you to provide your feline with indoor window ledge access. It is best to be aware of street visibility from every window ledge within your suite. It is also mandatory to screen all windows within your apartment to protect your cat. There are many choices of screens available that will not be visible from the street below. A lighter colored cat may be difficult to identify against a lightly colored drape lining. Conversely, a darker colored cat may be more difficult to detect against the darkness of a drapeless window in the evening. Should you be concerned regarding your feline’s visibility from any of your windows place an object approximately the same size and color as your cat on the ledges. Having observed from various positions on the street below you’ll know if other tenants in the building may detect your feline.
When provided with an opportunity, have a friend remain in your suite to place your cat on each of the ledges while you watch from the street below. Remain in contact with your friend by cell phone and provide instructions as to the placement of your feline within each window. This exercise should be repeated in daylight and during the dark of night viewing the drapes in both an open and drawn position. If you were in doubt this exercise will prove the deciding factor if your feline may be permitted the luxury of sun bathing on your window ledges. Should you be required to prevent your cat from accessing window ledges consider purchasing a tall scratching pole with sleeping ledges. Place the pole near a window and your cat will have the opportunity to exercise with a safe and private view. Indoor non-toxic potted plants or assorted knick-knacks should occupy your window ledges to both prevent and discourage your feline from gaining access to an off limits area.
The Manager
Apartments may be listed through the internet, in your local newspaper or through rental agencies in your community. It appears professional and less intrusive to make your initial contact with the Manager by telephone. Only arrange for an appointment should there be suites available that appear suitable for your lifestyle and the comfort of your feline.
In selecting your apartment building it is best to be warm and friendly but professional in your initial presentation. When dealing with Managers use your listening skills as their character will become evident if you permit them to speak. Managers or Superintendants have routinely shown apartments and therefore have a tendency to make their initial evaluation within the first ten minutes of your meeting. If you are well spoken and well dressed your character will be assessed as acceptable. Their concern will then center on providing details regarding the various attributes of the building including management’s rules and regulations.
Should you be comfortable with the Manager’s character your concern should then focus on viewing as many suites as are available within the building. If you indicate a preference for apartments on the side or back and on the higher floors they will have an idea of which apartments may interest you. The time of year will usually determine the number of vacancies a building may be trying to fill. Some rentals only provide a month to month tenancy while others may offer a yearly lease agreement. However should you find the perfect building without a suitable apartment inquire of any possible vacancies in the near future and request to be included on their waiting list. When you appear to be a pleasant person whom the Manager believes will create few problems more doors will be opened to you.
Keep a journal in your vehicle to make immediate note of every apartment viewed. Record where you would be most comfortable renting and include your initial impression of the Manager. Your primary concern should be the placement of your apartment and the Manager’s personality. Some of them are difficult while others are simply performing their job with little interest in those tenants who are quiet. It is best to rely on your instincts as a guide regarding the Manager and your final decision whether or not to rent within that building.
If management changes while you are in residence your name should not be mentioned when you have been a pleasant tenant. The atmosphere of a building may fluctuate with much depending on the personality of the new Manager. However as a quiet, respectful tenant that seldom makes demands you will be rewarded with privacy. When providing postdated checks you eliminate any worry of neglecting to pay your rent on time or troubling your Manager with a need to knock on your door.
When attempting to hide your cat’s presence in your apartment you never want to be identified as a cat lover. Therefore even if you have a large collection of cat t-shirts and jewellery it’s best they not be worn in the common areas of your apartment building. It remains mandatory that manage-ment never connects you with felines. Do not display your love for cats by wearing a cat lover’s ensemble of various items. I personally own countless pieces of cat jewellery, sweaters and t-shirts which I always covered with my seasonal coats and hats. It’s simply better to never have your passion for cats be recognized. The less the Manager knows about you the better.
When researching this publication several cat loving Managers were also interviewed. One memorable contact was a married couple providing professional management for an exclusive 30 floor high rise apartment building. For many years they had successfully hidden their two cats from almost nine hundred tenants. Despite the constant interruptions at their front door they were extremely successful and never encountered any problems.
My initial contact was as a consultant to assist the couple in acquiring a purebred registered Sphynx kitten. I seized the opportunity to conduct an interview to fully comprehend the Landlords’ perspective on this sensitive issue. Landlords seldom provide their true feelings regarding responsible tenants hiding cats in their apartments. As the building’s management they were willing to share their experiences and confided their suspicions
