How To Set Up A Cattery

Edifice A Cattery

By Lou Kritz
Originally published in the CFA Yearbook 1999

"We began with 1 pet, went to ane bear witness, and so information technology…it…just sort of sneaked upward on usa".

This sentence is similar to the beginning of the oftentimes-told story of how we all got started in cats and the subsequent need for a cattery.

Almost breeders didn't plan for a multicat operation. They simply constitute a detail breed of cat they dearest, acquired one, and… Well, you know the residuum. One day y'all wake upwardly, trip over a litter pan, take the laundry off the stack of carriers, motility the queen of the house off your favorite chair, and in exasperation say, "I gotta build a cattery". Hopefully, this article will help put you on the right track to building a clean, salubrious, and loving environment for your cats.

Multicat colonies present unique, difficult problems that tin escalate into serious health or animal welfare concerns. As lovers of these fine friends, we often fail to realize that cats practice not naturally live in a close grouping unit of measurement. Most are loners, with males and females only coming in contact at convenance. Not being herd, or group, animals means they don't easily found the "pecking order" natural to wolves, deer, and others that alive together in large groups. When we force them to adapt to the communal organisation, we cause a sure level of stress. The challenge, then, is to maintain a household of felines, go on them healthy and happy, and reach the goals of convenance and showing that'southward become our passion.

The Get-go

In 1992, the CFA Board of Directors, possibly reacting to negative reports of poor housing of animals, concerned with the growing animate being rights movement, and wanting to provide positive management to those breeders desiring it, implemented the Approved Cattery Program. The goals of this program were:

To create bones, minimum requirements for the acceptable housing of cats.
To enumerate the various aspects of professional cat husbandry and the acceptable application of each ane.
To provide for the recognition of those breeders and catteries that meet the acceptable level of sound cattery direction.
To provide for recognition of outstanding catteries.

The guidelines of this commodity deal with the first ii points. Creating acceptable cat housing so managing the environment finer should be every breeders' goal, regardless of the recognition cistron. Still, post-obit the ideas discussed here volition go a long mode to achieving the Approved Cattery and Cattery of Excellence designations established by the Programme. The specifics of the Programme are listed on the Inspection Grade that is used for grading the cattery. Accordingly, this article uses the points defined on that course as a basis for constructing and maintaining your cats' domicile.

While not designed every bit a building blueprint, it effectively functions equally one. The main considerations for proper housing of the multiple cat household are space, air, light, nutrient, h2o, sanitation, and husbandry. Husbandry is divers as "the command and management, including production and care, of a co-operative of agriculture, and particularly of domestic animals". In simple terms, it ways putting all of the foregoing factors together into proper daily care of the animals. As yous begin planning construction of your cattery, information technology'southward helpful to be clear on your goals for your cat owning-breeding-showing experience. Are you going to business firm and show one or two Premiers? Volition you lot continue a limited number of females and purchase stud service outside your ain cattery? Exercise you want a large breeding program that includes several males? Forth with size considerations now are plans for the time to come. That is, how will it abound? Volition y'all add a second breed? These questions are almost endless, but time spent pondering them in the beginning will eliminate many problems later on. In one case you experience that most of your goals are clearly defined, information technology's fourth dimension to brainstorm.

Space

The first big step is finding a place to put the cattery. Starting time, you'll demand 30 cu ft of cage space for each true cat, plus costless play space, and grooming and maintenance areas. Consideration should be given to separating the cages; i.e., putting space between them, for cleanliness and affliction command. Stud males should have more than the minimum 30 cu ft. Remember, the Board's guideline establishes minimums, non optimums. Thus, in planning more space is definitely meliorate. The blazon of space is besides important, and there is not ane best place. Visit catteries around the country, and you'll find them in the basement, the upstairs bedroom, the sunporch, and out in the garage. For your cattery, decide what area can be given upwards entirely to the cats, with isolation being of paramount importance. The cattery must be able to be closed off from the rest of the house. This provides climate control, sanitation, privacy, security, and breeding command, for the sake of both the cats and the family. For example, scrubbing the identify downward with a strong chlorine solution oft does not go well with that gourmet meal y'all're preparing for the in-laws. A screened sunporch that is heated in wintertime is mayhap the ideal. Information technology offers sunlight, fresh air, security, and easy access. However, not everyone has that blazon of infinite available. One or more spare bedrooms offer many of the same advantages, if they are available. The basement can too exist used, if moisture is not a problem. Light, heat, and ventilation can be added or adapted; but moisture, every bit will be detailed later in this article, volition ruin whatsoever efforts to create a wholesome environment. Fifty-fifty flat living need non foreclose the establishment of a cattery. If a room is large enough, face cages away from the living area and cover the backs with solid material, sort of a fake wall. Close off the walkway with a folding baby gate covered with a heavy cloth. Information technology will take a petty training to convince your true cat that this is a barrier not to be crossed, but it tin can be done.

But just how much space is needed? That depends. It depends on how willing you are to suit your breeding plan and your living space to adjust all your needs. Allow's assume y'all plan to continue six adult cats, including one male for stud purposes. Also, you tin can practise the bathing, preparation, litter pan washing, etc., in another room, perhaps the laundry room. The Program suggests 30 cu ft of cage infinite per cat. To effigy this, multiply the length times the width times the height, all in feet. For example, the standard evidence muzzle is four ft long x two ft broad x two ft high, 16 cu ft (four'x2'x2'=sixteen). Thus, a evidence cage is not acceptable housing for fifty-fifty 1 true cat in the cattery environment. Nonetheless, removing the top of one and stacking another on height to double the elevation provides 32 cu ft, enough room if perches or shelves are added.

To show just how much space is needed, let's design a cage 30 inches (two.5 ft) deep, by iv ft wide past 3 ft high. Information technology meets the 30 cu ft requirement (2.5 x four x 3 = 30). In a room with a 7 foot ceiling tiptop we tin can stack ii of these cages, requiring ten sq. ft of floor space. For five females, you'll need three stacks, using one as a kittening muzzle. Plus, you'll demand another big cage for the male person, a total of iv muzzle stacks, each taking ten sq. ft of flooring space. Free play space, litter pans on the floor, the cat tree, and training table will take at least 21/2 times every bit much space as the cages do. Using these figures, the full square footage required is:

4 cage stacks x 10 sq. ft. = 40 sq. ft.
Open Expanse: 21/two x 40 sq. ft. = 100 sq. ft.
Total= 140 sq ft.

Substantially, that's a 12 x 12 bedroom, using a closet to store food, litter, pans, and supplies. While the foregoing seems similar a lot of space, information technology just describes the minimum requirements for a six-cat household. More cats mean even more space. Not mentioned are bathing and drying areas, isolation cages for new and sick cats, and an area for the record keeping and paperwork that a cattery demands. If owning a cattery seems similar a daunting commitment, well, information technology is. That's why the demand to plan is stressed, and with that planning, is a need to empathize the serious commitment of time, space, energy, and money that quality cat intendance demands.

Air

Proper ventilation, the menses of fresh, oxygenated air, through the cattery is essential to the cats' cleanliness and wellness. A supply of make clean, outside air builds natural resistance to airborne pathogens; i.e., germs and viruses, that airtight spaces don't permit. Fortunately, expert ventilation is relatively easy to achieve. Screened windows in warmer times of the year are the simplest means of "ambulation" the cattery. Screens must be sturdy and in expert repair. If your cats enjoy snagging and pulling the standard screening, a product called hardware textile can be used as a reinforcement. It is essentially a heavy screen with openings 1/4″ square. While it is much stronger than window screen, it does not keep out insects. It should e'er be used with the standard screen to proceed the flying and itch visitors outdoors where they belong. Sometimes, windows are not available or the best option, and powered ventilation, vent fans, must be used. There are a myriad of systems, some easy to install, some quite complicated and expensive. The simplest is the enclosed window fan fastened to the window frame. Information technology moves the air and provides a sturdy bulwark in a window that you may not desire opened. A relatively uncomplicated system uses standard kitchen or bathroom vent fans. These are available in home centers and hardware stores starting at about $fifteen and up, depending on size and features. Size is measured in cubic feet per minute, and describes the amount of air moved in a given time. To buy the correct size, figure the cubic feet (LxWxH) of the area. Given obstructions and corners, effigy that the fan will be only half efficient. Hither'south an example:

A x′ 10 12′ x 8′ room contains 960 cubic feet (10 x 12 x 8 =960)
A 60 cfm fan should change the air in xvi minutes (960 -:- lx = sixteen)
Half Efficiency Principle will take twice equally long (16 min x two = 32 min)

The Half Efficiency Principle means that it volition have 32 minutes, twice equally long to do the job.

Installation of this type of fan requires both carpentry and electric skills. If you're a good do-it-yourselfer, you can practice it following the directions supplied and some tips from the store clerk. The fan must exist installed affluent in the ceiling or wall, and a vent hose run to the outside. A ability supply with a switch must also be installed. Our cattery is in the basement with a suspended ceiling so installation was fairly simple. And, the fan replaced a light fixture so the electricity was in place. If you lot're not sure how to do this chore, hiring a professional person is money well spent.

You won't want the fan running constantly, both to prolong the life of the fan and to save on the electric bill. Installing a timer will turn the fan off and on at regular intervals. Sears and other hardware stores sell a elementary timer, for about $25, that replaces the wall switch. Easy to install, it can exist programmed to plough off and on in fifteen infinitesimal intervals. Information technology besides has a push that allows transmission operation without irresolute the programme. Our cattery fans are fix to run xv minutes very two hours. One additional suggestion. Buy vent fans bigger, higher cfm's, and not the cheapest model. They'll practice a better chore, last longer, save money in the long run. Vent fans should exhaust air from the cattery. Odors will exist expelled to the outside, and the clean air supply volition exist fatigued through the living quarters. This air will have been either warmed or cooled by the house system and, since it is beingness fatigued through a large surface area, will provide the oxygenation needed to freshen the cattery. Run across also Installing a Cattery Ventilation Organisation

Low-cal

In a sunporch cattery, a room with many windows, or an exterior cattery, providing ample lighting is non also difficult. A basement or a room with few windows will demand artificial low-cal to allow proper living weather condition. In whatever situation, withal, some natural light, i.e., sunlight, should exist directed into the cattery if at all possible. Basements often take pocket-size ceiling elevation windows that allow a small-scale amount of sunlight to get in. If possible, locate your cattery on the east or s side of the basement nether these windows to have the nigh advantage of the sun's rays. The morning or early afternoon lord's day has an invigorating effect on the cats, and there are straight wellness benefits from sunlight. Dairy farmers, when wintering their herds in a nighttime barn for the winter, frequently accept ringworm issues. They cure it in the jump past turning the animals out into the vivid sun. Ringworm, like many other germs, viruses, and fungi, similar the dark. Spring'due south shining days drive information technology abroad.

Information technology's obvious that almost in-home catteries need added lighting. The best is ceiling mounted fluorescent fixtures with daylight bulbs. Some veterinarians believe that the daylight fluorescent provides at least some of the benefits of natural sunlight. If nothing else, their color simulates about closely that of the outdoors. Remember that cats on the lower level of a muzzle stack tin can spend nigh of their twenty-four hour period in shadow. Prevent this by mounting a fixture on the wall so that it sheds light into the lower level of the muzzle. A simple way to exercise this is to buy an under chiffonier fixture that mounts with a double sided tape strip and has an on/off switch on the front of the fixture. You merely stick it on the wall, plug information technology in, and the problem is solved.

An important aspect of lighting is glaze control. Many breeders, especially longhair ones, believe that temperature plays the most of import role in keeping coat. While that may exist a cistron, the amount of lite effects the pituitary gland, which, in turn, controls coat retentivity and shedding. Keeping the daily corporeality of light that your cats become as close to the natural cycle of light and nighttime will continue their shedding close to the natural cycle. That bike is a heavy shedding of the winter glaze in the jump, and a lighter shedding of the less dense summertime glaze in the fall. Many breeders complain that, "My true cat sheds all the time". Since the true cat is in the calorie-free from half dozen AM to midnight, that's probably true. A little more than darkness probably will assist.

Nutrient

The importance of wholesome, nutritious food cannot be stressed enough. Fortunately, there has been tons of enquiry done in the field of feline nutrition, by food companies, university programs, and the regime. There is an affluence of quality diets available at reasonable prices, and in all forms. Rather than state what we feed and claim it'south all-time, it's ameliorate communication to enquire your vet what he recommends. And, after a while, you'll learn what your cats similar, and more than importantly, what they do well on.

At that place are bones factors to consider with any feeding program. First, it demands your attending. Y'all must observe your cats eating habits, weight gain or loss, and wellness status. Not every cat in the cattery will take the same feeding habits as its mates. You may take to isolate that piggy neuter at feeding time so he doesn't become to the bear witness looking like Baby Huey. Also, sentry that the shy little girl doesn't get pushed out of the food dish by the more aggressive litter mates. The furnishings of undernourishment may non show upward until she's bred and produces a weak litter.

The Canonical Cattery Inspection Course asks if food is stored and handled in a clean, uncontaminated manner. Is the nutrient dish next to a litter pan where fecal matter tin can be kicked into it? Is information technology next to the h2o bowl so it gets damp? As nosotros'll see in the section on sanitation, h2o and warmth combine to make a perfect environment for the growth of bacteria and other organic contaminants. Food left as well long in the cattery tin be a breeding ground for all types of unwanted guests. One of the best ways to ensure contamination is to ever pour fresh dry out food over height of what'due south left in the bottom of the bowl. The cats' saliva, water droplets, and darkness volition almost certainly help to exacerbate the problem. To eliminate the gamble of contamination, regularly discard uneaten food. Dry food should be cleared out every day, and moist nutrient and meat should not be left for more than several hours. If yous're tossing too much uneaten nutrient, it'due south a sure sign you're overfeeding. Try cutting back so the cats eat nigh of what you serve. And so, after you've emptied the bowl, wash it. While there are many cleansers and chemicals being marketed, nothing tin beat a regular dose of expert quondam fashioned soap and water!

Water

Even more important than expert food, an ample supply of fresh, clean water is admittedly, positively, unequivocally, the nearly needed nutrient for the true cat. Grind the finest steak, mix the most expensive, scientifically prepared dry nutrient, and superlative information technology all off with premium vitamins, just then leave out proficient water, and your programme will fail. Water makes it all work! Mammals are over 90% water, and all of us need a adept supply. Again, sanitation is the key. Fresh water is college in dissolved oxygen, which makes it taste better – fresher – and kills anaerobic bacteria. Cold h2o tastes better and stimulates the taste buds, and then feeding goes well. On the contrary, water left sitting for too long a time gets warm and brackish. Place stagnant water under a microscope and information technology looks like a miniature city, teeming with life. The longer water sits out, the longer contaminants in the air take to find information technology and telephone call information technology home. Water is as well affected by the cat's saliva as he drinks. A small corporeality of saliva, a nutrient and leaner rich fluid in the mouth, is deposited each time the tongue laps the surface. Given time, moisture, and warmth, the leaner grow and multiply.

One manner to proceed h2o cleaner and fresher is through the use of h2o bottles. Commonly sold equally rabbit watering bottles, these are inverted and hung on the cage, with a metal tube spout and ball valve at the cease. Placing a cage cup most three inches below the spout will go along whatsoever drips off the floor. Despite what some breeders believe, cats will learn to use these bottles. In our cattery, some have to them immediately, while others accept 2 or iii days. Over the concluding several years, nosotros've switched to them exclusively, have every cat in the cattery using them, and drinking every bit much or more than they did with open bowls. As an added benefit, nosotros can meet just how much water is used very solar day, something impossible with walk-through bowls.

Like bowls, bottles should exist cleaned regularly. We rinse and refill two times at most, and so wash them out with soap or detergent, and soak them in a balmy bleach solution. This cleans and sanitizes the nooks and crannies of the valve and tube.

Sanitation

Sanitation can most easily be idea of as cleanliness; make clean air, clean food, clean water, clean cages, make clean everything. Come to remember of it, that's a good motto for running a cattery, "Clean Everything!" A written report of surgical sterility practices teaches that bacteria, viruses, molds, and fungi, are on all surfaces and in the air. Normally, our systems are able to handle those that would cause illness and contamination. Withal, when they're allowed to build to college than normal levels, or when our defence force mechanisms are weakened, we tin't fend them off and illness ensues.

It's the aforementioned for the cat, especially those confined and unable to distance themselves from the problem areas. The existent enemy of a sanitized cattery is a dark, damp, warm surroundings. A practiced example is Kitty'due south furry bed. Moisture from drinking, food particles, the true cat'south warm fur, and the darkness under her body provide an incubator environment that will allow the invaders to grow and multiply. Regular washing and ambulation of beds and perches help to both eliminate these uninvited guests and brand Kitty's life more pleasant. Fortunately, there are many weapons available to combat these invaders. Light, fresh air, wholesome food, and clean water were discussed above, and are the first steps. Next comes removal of waste and other breeding grounds. Of form, the place to begin is with the litter pan. We have an abundance of litter types available, most of it suitable and sanitary when used correctly. Fecal matter must be removed at to the lowest degree once a day, if not more than often. When litter becomes urine-soaked it must be dumped and replaced. Forth with removal, cleaning and disinfecting of litter pans is essential.

Recent Cornell University inquiry has shown that FIP is an opportunistic virus present in the intestinal tracts of many cattery-bound animals, and is spread through fecal contact, equally in litter pan sharing. A adept style to control its spread is through proper cleaning, disinfecting, and controlling litter pan utilize. Occasional dumping of litter isn't sufficient. The disease causing microbes remain behind in those lilliputian spots and stains on the pan. Fortunately there is a cheap, easily obtainable solution that eradicates most microscopic pests – chlorine bleach. The best know brand of chlorine bleach is Clorox", and the Clorox Company publishes a booklet describing the proper way to use bleach in conjunction with detergents to both clean and sanitize surfaces. Surface sanitation is accomplished by first scrubbing with a adept detergent solution to remove visible stains and clay, then rinsing with clear water. A solution of chlorine bleach applied after the rinse, and allowed to air dry, finer controls microbes. The bleach is broken downward to lilliputian more than than table salt and water as it disinfects, and is thus safety when used properly. In our cattery, nosotros scrub litter pans in the laundry sink, rinse them, and so mist them with a bleach solution in a spray bottle, and let them dry. The same process is used on cattery surfaces, food dishes, and water bottles and bowls. If y'all adopt, there are also many other cleansers and germ-virus-fungicides on the market to go along your cat'southward habitation fresh and clean. Again, cheque with your vet for recommended, safe chemicals.

Isolation

In setting upwardly the cattery, it is wise to programme an isolation surface area. New cats coming into the cattery, cats returning from shows, and ill cats can be confined here to avoid the take chances of contaminating the entire cattery.

Ideally, this area should be on a different heating and cooling arrangement from the residuum of the house. For virtually breeders, however, this is not feasible. A spare room or bathroom will often be the solution.

This should be outfitted like whatsoever other areas, but special intendance should exist exercised when this space is being used.

Always nourish to isolated cats last and make sure the water and food dishes and litter box are kept split up. This is hands done by marking them with fingernail polish. Spray your clothes and shoes (especially soles) and launder your hands before handling any other cat. If your fears are realized and the true cat in isolation is seriously ill, you lot should repaint the surface area earlier using it again.

A leukemia isolation is handled much the aforementioned way. This virus, however, is not airborne. FeLV is fragile outside the true cat, unlike many upper respiratory viruses, and can live only near iii days nether optimum conditions. Once it dries or comes in contact with disinfectants, it is killed. Special care must be used to come across no other cat shares this cat'due south food, water and litter pans, as these are the principle paths of infection.

In case an epidemic hits the cattery, isolate and treat all infected animals. When the situation subsides, the most constructive way to stop the "bug" from lingering is to entirely repaint the cattery and seal in the infection. This is more than effective than whatsoever disinfectant ever produced.

Husbandry

Husbandry, earlier defined equally the command and direction, including production and intendance, of domestic animals, ties together all the facets of edifice and maintaining a cattery. Your cats' status; i.e., weight, size, health, cleanliness, grooming, and vitality, forth with your observation and supervision, and concern for security and safety, all play a part in professional husbandry. A cattery owner doing all that it takes to produce healthy, happy cats and kittens truly is a professional. Yous must know muzzle building techniques, construction and maintenance procedures, security measures, and sometimes even the legal aspects of licenses and permits. Add to the listing animal wellness practices, sanitation, grooming and intendance. Then, top information technology all off with testify rules and breed standards, and a good knowledge of genetics. Once the package is all put together, call up to go on abreast of current developments in all of these areas, equally our engineering science-driven age continually revises and updates all of our knowledge. While the scope of maintaining a truly professional cattery may seem daunting, it really tin exist a lot of fun and quite interesting. Begin with the basics presented here and build both the physical scope of your program and your knowledge of your breed and the fancy at large. But begin with a programme. Of course, this plan will change over fourth dimension, but the love and care for each of our furry companions will non simply modify, it will grow.

Recommended Reading:
FELINE HUSBANDRY, "Cattery Design and Direction", Neils C. Pedersen, DVM, PhD and Joan Miller. A wonderful 45 page chapter on the pattern and direction of a cattery – complete with photos, plans, standards and guidelines. Highly recommended.
** This book is out of print, but used copies are sometimes bachelor through amazon.com.

PDF files of the chapters in this book by Dr. Pedersen are available for free download on the UC Davis Center for Companion Animal Wellness web site.