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| This cattery design looks modern but it gives the inmates no privacy from staring humans. |
If we cats designed catteries, the most important thing we would do is make sure every cattery has a hiding place. A proper one which gives complete privacy.
It's always scary going to a boarding cattery for the first time. It smells wrong. There are weird noises. And - worst of all - there are strange human beings STARING at us.
Staring is intimidating and stressful.
That's why we need a small area to which we can retreat, until we have got used to the pen and can spend some time rubbing around it to spread our scent so that it smells like home.
The worst cattery designs are those that just have a shelf and a blanket. If there is a high sided bed, that helps a little though not enough.
The other cattery designs we hate are those one where only glass separates us from the humans the other side. We have to sit near the glass because that is the only heated area.
Nervous cats close their eyes and pretend to sleep - it's called feigned sleep and it is a sign of stress. Our bodies are tense, our back is humped up, and every now and again we turn our heads away from the staring humans.
Watch this video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxnA1YL3KJw and you will see what I mean.
Spot on, George! Humans are so dumb - they think they are as evolved as we, the cats are! Think in terms of art, architecture, food, fashion (there is a reason why it is called "cat walk", right?) But, humans are curious "animals", invading our privacy...just to name one thing! They think we enjoy what they do! Catteries? Just take a look at their high-rise catteries! All glass, no solid walls! Guess, they like to live in a fish tank! But, we don't!
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