The Jersey City news., 1891-09-14
A HOME FOR CATS.
Philadelphia Leads in Taking Care
of Stray Felines.

L ilC AhOlilS AeSAAES %AooONAeeStO~~
Homeless and Suffering Animals is
the name of charitable institution
at /, ,242 Lombard stree, this city. In
the vernacuar of the everyday citizen
it is simply the 'cat home" and is,
indeed, unknown by any other than
the latter title to fully three-quarters
OF those aware OF its existence.
Originally founded in 1874 by Miss
Elizabeth Morris, it was organized as
an association in 1888, and in Janu-
ary, 1889, became regularly incor-
porated.
Although its purpose is to gather in
''all small animals either for tempor-
ary housing, or for humanely killing
those unfortunate ones fated to seek
q miserable sustenance in divers gar
bage barrels, the cats have so large
ly monopolized tine institution as TO
make their care distinct feature, and
the nickname. therefore. not badly
applied.
No feline is refused admittance
Pedigree counts for naught. All are
welcome, from the fawn colored, blue
eyed cats of Royal Siam to the boy
chased, dog chased vagabond OF a
Thomas which crouches trembling in
every available retreat, and is even
then a nuisance. Welcome are the
Maltese cats, sometimes called Char
treuse; the Angoras: likewise, white OF
color, silken coated and of temper un-
certain, and e'en the humble red cats
of distant Tobolsk. The black-lip-
ped, ebony toed, Of Carthusia, the
twisted tail of Madagascar, the short
%h ETolo ACnhinnIoUn
and the Manx with no tails at all, are
as cordially welcomed as the decen-
dents of those sacred to Isis, domesti-
Gated in the land of the Pharahs 1900
wears before our Christ's coming; of
those referred to in Sanskrit writings,
and of those most ancient ofEthe race,
first mentioned 5000 years ago. Suf-
ficient is it that the applicant belongs
to that multitudinous, heterogene-
GUS, most democratic tribe called cats.
for to that species is the invitation
most particularly extended.
A visitor approaching the institu-
ton is at once struck with the general
air of refinement. The building is
handsome three-story brick, and but
for the associations sign above the
door might easily be mistaken for the
home of some wealthy Philadelphlan
content to remain where was once the
aristocratic portion of the town. The
front parlor now serves as the office OF
the association, the other rooms are
devoted to the family of the societys
agent, Mr.. John G. West, and in COM
mo6ious cages arranged in rows along
the back veranda and in the yard are
kept in what might be called lnen-
agerie hospital, the vast number OF
both guests and patients.
The animals sent only for tempor-
ary care-as many are while their
owners are sojourning out OF town
during summer months-have special
cages, or rather, roomy, wired-in play
grounds, allotted to them, and furnish
striking contrast, in their glossy
coats and mannerly behavior, to the
more unfortunate of their species
awaiting a premature death in the
adjoining Enclosures.
The method OF killing is simple, yet
quick and sure In the southeast cor
ner of the yard is an outhouse which
contains an alright tank about six feet
square and four deep, and small
charcoal stove. The cat is dropped
into the tank or box through trap
at the top, which is then shut. A fire
in the stove shuts and transmits
through pipe into the box the gas
thus generated, which smothers the
animal in from one to one and half
minutes.
The establishment is sustained en-
tirely by charity, the care OF all ami
mails being undertaken free of charge,
except where compensation is offered.
1t may here be remarked that. out
side of farm for the doctoring OF sick
horses in Bustleton, no other such es-
tablishment is known to exist in the
country, In New York the Ameri-
can Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals has founded an
Ambulance House wherein is Lro-
vided room with kennels for the
care and comfort OF all small animals,
and this, the 'cat homes" only COM
rade, has but just started it's career.
Branches of the organization relieve
the headquarters OF most of the lesser
work. "The Temporary Home for
Dogs" is the most important of these
and is situated at No. 625 South
Twelfth street.
The society's report for 1890 shows
that 1854 cats, 3,712 dogs and Is
smaller creatures, 10, 541 animals in
all, were received at the refuge, of
which number 1873 cats and "a dogs
were boarders.
This year it is estimated the num-
ber will far exceed these figures. The
treasurer's report for last year showed
the expenditures to be SO, 7S9. II and
the receipts So, 99S. 04.-PhiladelphiG
Press
The Girl Who Teaches.
Sound health is a prime necessity
for any worker in the world, no mat
ter what the line of work may be, but
it becomes of the greatest Importance
if the work is to be carried on in the
school room. writes Caroline B. LIE
Row, in the September LADIES' Home
Journal. There not only the physical,
but the nervous and mental forces are
taxed to their utmost. The young
graduate has hitherto gone to school
to sit comfortably at her desk; to
stand occasionally for recitations; to
use her voice but little; to have con-
stant variety in her work; to enjoy
her recess with perfect freedom and in
congenial companionship. AS a
teacher she goes to school to stand
upon her feet all day long; to
use her voice incessantly, perhaps,
too, in large room filled with the
tumult of the street; to keep noisy,
and. very likely. rebellious and dis