Although they don’t know it yet, the cats at Caring Fields are about to become residents of a very posh neighborhood! Over the years the little houses that have been built on the open fields of the sanctuary have been a big hit. The houses serve as feeding stations and also provide shelter for the cats who wander in and out at will. In the interest of providing as many comfy retreats as possible, our intrepid sanctuary committee has come up with exciting plans for an entire village for the kitties!
After extensive research, brainstorming sessions, and hoofing it all over town, the committee recently unveiled plans for prefabricated cottages to provide the basis of the new village. These nifty cottages come in a variety of colors and sizes, they are delivered pre-wired for electricity, are hurricane resistant to winds of up to 125 mph, and they are amazingly simple to install! Oh, and they are the cutest little houses you’ve ever seen. High ceilings with ceiling fans, airy windows, French doors, front porches, shutters, and window boxes will give the houses a charming old-world look. Plans feature a horse-shoe shaped array of cottages, with solar lamps spaced between the buildings. Pathways with stepping stones donated by supporters will connect the buildings. The centerpiece of the village will be a gazebo with seating for visitors to spend time relaxing and visiting with the cats.
Much of the research and ground work has been accomplished thanks to an all-out effort by committee members Barbara Mueller and Andrea Strine. The duo has made friends all over town as they have sought out discounted supplies, solicited donated building materials and purchased everything needed for the first two houses.
Excitement ran high last week when these first two prototypes were delivered to Caring Fields. Carol Smith sponsored a lovely blue cottage through her donation, and Jan Brush is the proud sponsor of an elegant steel grey one. There is still work to be done on both houses, but the sanctuary committee anticipates a ribbon-cutting ceremony in a month or so.
In the meantime, the cats have given a definite “paws up” to the houses, staking their claim to various primo spots on the porches. And, in true cat fashion, they have also left paw prints on all the windows as they have tried to peek in and check out their new digs. The cottages will remain closed until the floors and inner walls can be finished, despite the attempts of the cats to speed up the grand opening.
