Having outdoor cats and kittens are turning out to be a real joy. They are easy to maintain and are actively hunting rodents of all sizes - we've seen evidence! They escort us around the property and are sociable when we are out doing chores or projects. The kittens are an absolute hoot and terrible distraction from whatever else you might need to be doing.

We give them a scoop or two of dry kitty food every day and make sure water is available. They've taken up residence in the work shed for the most part, but roam freely over the domestic area.

The cats show no sign of being interested in the bunnies in their cages... smart 'cause the adult rabbits are bigger than the cats! They watch the chickens but I think only a chick would be in any danger and we keep them carefully fenced in any case.

In general cats have an uncertain existence in this part of the world what with falling prey to coyotes, hawks, and owls. But they serve such a tremendously useful purpose in hunting the overabundant rodent population that we just had to have them. Allowing house cats to be indoor / outdoor resulted in the loss of beloved pets. So the cats are now segregated into those who stay inside and those who stay outside. We love the outdoor kitties and provide shelter and opportunity for survival, but we also know that their time with us may be transitory and remember not to get too attached.

We originally brought four wild kittens home to start our outdoor cat colony, but one disappeared almost immediately. The others hid out and we couldn't touch them or see them for quite a few weeks. But as we fed them they tamed down so that we can interact with them. The barn cats maintain a very different attitude than house cats; more wary and careful of the outside world and this will serve them well.

House Cats

Jack

Jack'O'Lantern lives in the dome. He never gets to go outside because every house cat we've let out has become food for predators within three weeks and we've become quite attached to him; but he watches things out the window and meows and talks to the cats and people who are outside. Jack's name is a source of much amusement and word play in the house... Jack the Cat (when he is being naughty), Lumber Jack (shout TIMBER as he knocks something over), Jack In The Box as he relentlessly investigates any open box, and so forth ad nauseum.

Jack has learned to turn on the bathtub faucets (we had to turn them over permanently to stop him) and loves to play in the water. He also plays fetch (quite reliably when he is interested) and can put his paddy paws on every flat surface in the house from the dome floor, to the ledge that runs around the entire interior of the dome riser wall, the ladder and loft, and on up to tightrope walking the top of the canopy on our bed in the loft. He rough houses with the dogs when they come in for the evening, loves to have his belly rubbed, and is basically a purr body. He was already entirely tame when we adopted him and we felt had little hope of surviving outside.

Jack had the distinction of being the only animal the property who served no purpose other than to entertain humans; that is until Brutus moved in.

Brutus

Brutus is a character. Picture a lanky orange marmalade Siamese cat. He plays fetch and entertains himself endlessly with a variety of toys. Brutus likes to sleep in baskets and the dish drainer. He has adopted a 4 am tear around the house routine lately.

Brutus doesn't like the dogs much, but he and Jack are best friends; sleeping, playing, and bathing together. We think Jack is much happier with his friend in the house.

Barn Cats

Monster is Jack's half-brother. He is our outdoor Tom Cat and he roams all over the property. He has turned into a very personable creature after starting out as an untouchable wild kitten. He was named Monster because he was so fierce and terrible as a adolescent cat. He is quite tolerant of the kittens and reminds me tremendously of a big daddy lion.

Hunter is a spayed female, very reliable, friendly and has had good longevity with us. Her Mother Jill has long since passed into the desert. We also miss Mouster who was our Queen cat for the longest time, and her daughter Fierce who was the most attentive non-Siamese cat I have ever known... she was really Lillith's best friend. Hunter's brother Joe had found a home off the property but has since returned to us when his new owner couldn't keep him. He is a sweetie and tries to stay out of Monster's way.

From Mouster's last batch of kittens Brutus came inside the dome to join Jack, and Ceasar and Julia are still with us outside. Julia is shy and skittery but she should have some kittens soon. We hope she'll let us help take care of them. Ceasar has really adopted Patrick & Mel as his people.