HOUSING OF CATS. 



too, and certain ill-health among the poor in- 

 mates. I know a case in point where a cat 

 fancier thus utilised a stable. A converted 

 portion of old stabling that looked most de- 

 sirable, and kept scrupulously clean, was 

 used for a number of young kittens. Very 

 soon a peculiar and most violent form of skin 

 disease appeared amongst them, at first as 

 mere scurfy patches, but swiftly assuming the 

 form of contagious fever, which spread with 

 frightful rapidity, infecting every cat with 

 whom they came in contact. Not until after 

 many deaths, and the most cruel sufferings 

 of those- who struggled through the disease, 

 was it at last discovered to be acute blood 

 poisoning, produced by the exhalation of sewer 

 gas from an old sewer running underneath 

 the floors. Rats were probably responsible, 

 either by gnawing through the pipes, or coming 

 up into the cattery, themselves stricken with 

 the foul disease. 



The site of the cattery selected, the pre- 

 paration of the ground may be advisable, 

 certainly on all clay soils. To ensure perfect 

 dryncss, the top soil should be removed a foot 

 or so and filled in with brick rubble or builders' 

 rubbish. On this foundation, cement con- 

 crete or asphalt may be laid down. Person- 

 ally, for runs and floors, I prefer the cement ; 

 it is easier to keep clean a bucket of water 

 can swill it from end to end, while it dries 

 much faster than the asphalt. Asphalt in 

 outside runs is apt to soften in the summer 

 sun, and depress into holes, and within the 

 houses the smell of the tar remains strong 

 for some months. The cost of the two is much 

 about the same, but in very damp situations 

 the asphalt is preferable, as it prevents all 

 ground-damp rising through. 



Now to plan out a medium-size cattery that 

 shall be simple in construction and not ruin- 

 ous to the modest beginner, let us suppose we 

 have at our disposal a fair length of brick 

 wall say 60 to 70 feet in length facing 

 south, on slightly sloping ground. Our first 

 proceeding will be to level and render damp- 

 proof by a foot of rubble, as heretofore sug- 

 gested, a strip n feet wide and about 45 feet 



along the wall, and to surface this strip with 

 cement or asphalt. Upon this, and against 

 the wall, we will erect our houses, a long 

 wooden shed with lean-to roof, divided into 

 three main divisions by matchboarding par- 

 titions, and with a smaller house at either end, 

 as shown in plan. 



A, the sleeping-room ; B, a playroom for 

 queens and kittens ; and C, the third apart- 

 ment for kittening, or cats it is desirable to 

 isolate awhile. The smaller houses at the 

 outside ends reserved for stud cats. D, doors 

 from one apartment to another of wood. The 

 outside woodwork is of i-inch feather-edged 

 matchboarding, well-seasoned deal, a roof 

 of wood, felted and tarred, being preferable 

 to the use of corrugated iron, which is very hot 

 in summer and very cold in winter ; an annual 

 dressing of sand and tar keeps the felt water- 

 tight for many years. Allow good wide eaves, 

 and have gutter pipes all round. Inside, line 

 the walls with wall felt, and limevvash ; or an 

 inner lining of i-inch matchboarding, allow- 

 ing a two-inch space to be packed with saw- 

 dust, keeps the house very warm and dry. 



For the brick back wall, .j-inch matchboard- 

 ing should be sufficient as lining. The dimen- 

 sions of the sleeping-room, A, are 12 feet long 

 by ii feet wide, and a wire frame partition with 

 door subdivides this again into two equal 

 parts. ! Against the back wall, at a height of 

 about 20 inches from the floor, runs a broad 

 shelf 4 feet wide, having inch-mesh wire net- 

 ting frontage, half to open on hinges, and 

 movable wooden partitions sliding in a slot ; 

 these for the sleeping-pens, each 4 feet deep by 

 3 feet wide, two on either side the wire frame 

 partition, or convertible into one 4 feet by 

 6 by removal of sliding wooden division. 

 It will be warmer for the occupants if these 

 pens are roofed in at a height of 3 feet. Cover 

 the bench with oilcloth before putting up the 

 divisions. This can be washed over daily if 

 necessary, and will dry in a few moments, thus 

 avoiding the dangers of scrubbing wood in 

 damp weather. As nothing offensive can soak 

 in, a pure atmosphere is preserved, and risk 

 of infection is greatly minimised. 



