further eliminating the need to leave the privacy of your suite. Condos are basically self contained units and you will not necessarily experience the same interaction with a Manager or Superintendent as you would in an apartment building. However an appointed Building Committee of condo owners will be present for any problems occurring within the common areas of the building. As you do not own your rental suite you may be spared excessive contact with the Building Committee and will not be required to attend meetings for voting purposes.
Elite and prosperous condominiums may have 24 hour security patrols throughout the building. It is best to be aware that security will be passing your door on a regular basis both night and day. Therefore careful attention should be taken when selecting your Feline by Design as you are seeking the Perfect Condo Kitty for quiet companionship. Please refer to page 56 for our Perfect Condo Kitty Guide.
~~The ideal of calm exists in a sitting cat.~~ Jules Reynard
Townhouses
There are many cat lovers who own their own condo or townhouse but are denied the pleasure of owning a cat. If you are living in a townhouse and can easily enter and exit through your own garage, it becomes easier to keep your feline’s presence from the Complex Committee. Also your home is not usually subject to inspection unless there is a major structural problem.
Townhouses are often individually purchased although some complexes are owned by corporations and remain available for rent. If a townhouse is a consideration, your feline may be permitted enclosed balcony access. Townhouses usually consist of two levels and provide adequate space for a feline to explore. Should your townhouse contain an enclosed patio, prior to permitting your cat outside access, consider all safety issues including your cat’s visiblity from other suites. When living in a townhouse your cat will have ample space to explore and depending on their activity level should receive adequate exercise. Always supply a scratching pole with sleeping ledges to provide your cat with a private space for rest and observation. You will be encouraging your cat to remain active and such felines seldom scratch furniture when introduced to a quality pole as kittens. Townhouses with two floors totally delight cats as they are drawn to stairs for playful exercise encounters.
If you own your townhouse and your cat is discovered you may be subject to considerable financial fines and penalties. However there is a rarely known clause in many townhouse bylaws that will permit a cat to live within an owner’s suite.
One couple interviewed for this publication provided a letter from the wife’s physician stating that she had to own a cat due to her emotional instability. With medical documentation the Committee quickly approved the request and permitted the wife to adopt a single cat. The couple had owned their felines for many years but once the Committee approved her request the wife no longer experienced anxiety due to the fear of having her hidden cats discovered. These smart cat lovers had adopted two identically colored cats when originally pur-chasing their townhouse. Although the Committee had only approved the adoption of a single cat she was able to keep them both and no one ever discovered that she in fact cherished two feline treasures.
~~To me, the best holistic remedy for high blood pressure is a purring cat on your lap~~ Kathrine Palmer Peterson
Duplexes and Smaller Homes
My rented home was a duplex with approximately 900 square feet upstairs and included an unfinished basement of the same size. Although it sounds like a home of adequate size, much of the space was not utilized due to a large staircase which lead from the front door to the living area upstairs or down to the basement. It was an older house with smaller rooms but it remained our home for twenty years and the size did not impede the success of my cattery.
Many rental houses resemble our duplex. Renting such a home is more costly and also carries the responsibility of yard work and maintaining flower beds. However there are additional benefits when not residing close to the property owner. One primary advantage being the reduced stress from concealing your cat’s presence. With a semi-detached home such as our duplex you will be sharing a common wall with a neighbor. It is vitally important to keep the peace and maintain a good relationship with all family members. We were blessed to have lived next door to the Curtis family for the entire length of our tenancy. They were aware of my cattery but never disclosed any feline information to our Landlord. I adored Ginger their affectionate and beautiful dog who I always enjoyed caring for while they were away on holidays. It was an ideal situation which does not always occur when duplexes are rented to unrelated families.
If you are considering the rental of a smaller home your cats may be restricted to indoor access only as few smaller houses have balconies or patios. An annual increase in your rent should be a consideration as the Landlord must cope with rising taxes. When residing as a tenant in a house there are also the responsibilities of additional repairs. For many years I was certain my plumbing was held together with yards of duct tape despite the number of repairs by tradesmen. Although the costs can be much higher than residing in an apartment the added benefits are well worth the expense.
Living in Harmony with a Feline
~~Everything a cat is and does physically is to me beautiful, lovely, stimulating, soothing, attractive, and an enchantment.~~ Paul Gallico
If you are hiding your cat in a one-bedroom apartment your feline is adjusting to residing in a smaller space. As they do not have the personal freedom of a cat living in a larger home it is vital to provide a reasonably sized scratching pole. When your cat has a pole that enables them to both climb and sleep on assorted ledges it will serve many functions. Placed near a screened window it will not be seen from outside and your cat will appreciate the height. Your feline will also be provided with an opportunity to exercise as they climb onto the various levels of the pole. If you own a large privacy screen it may be placed near the pole should there be a need to block it’s presence in your home. When cats are trained as kittens to use a scratching pole with sleeping ledges, they seldom use their claws inappropriately and rarely scratch furniture. Finally, cat toys should be provided and rotated on a regular basis to prevent boredom.
Provide a greater sense of liberty for your cat by not enforcing excessive rules. While interviewing various tenants hiding their cats it became apparent that those with controlling personalities lay unnecessary limitations on their feline’s movements. Rules which are strictly enforced and are contrary to the nature of a feline will often result in negative stress related behavior. Cats living in such an environment may harbor mixed emotions of deep love with those of frustration and anger towards their owner.
In one urgent case I provided an indepth consultation for a couple who owned their pet restricted townhouse. They were hiding a male and female cat and both were declawed as the wife prized her living room furniture. The cats were restricted to a small living space on the main floor and were not permitted upstairs access as the wife equally prized her house plants. The wife had recently purchased expensive leather couches and both cats were forced to endure a second operation to have their back paws declawed as well. Following the second operation the attacks on the wife began.
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