The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-08-25
QUEER SUMMER B0ARDERS.
DOGS, OATS AND BIRDS THAT LIVE
IN HAPPINESS AND PLENTY.
Taking Care of the Animal Pets Of
Wealthy People Who Go to the
Country-A Unique Industry.

S;ss:S sssess:; gsPss: sa$;s %ss5sss t. head
couple of days ago which read that
dogs and birds were boarded on farm
on West Side avenue. West Side ave-
uue is located on the far side of the
Heights in Jersey City, in the newly
settled section. The boarding house is
acres and about two hundred feet from
the avenue. All through the grounds
one can see newly-painted dog houses,
and as far as the eye can reach dogs of
all kinds are seen, some tied to their
houses, others tied to trees and some
running loose.
In lot which is set apart for this
particular purpose are rows of neat
little houses, used as cat houses. The
cats are allowed to run loose during
the day, but when night comes they of
their own accord return to their re-
spective homes. Each cat has house
of its own, and after stay of three
or four days on the farm all learn their
places perfectly.
One would imagine that where there
are SO many dogs and cats in such
close proximity frequent fights would
occur, and it is not ut all unlikely that
such things do happen. The proprie-
tor Of this dog, cat and bird farm
stoutly denies this, however, and
claims that the animals mingle to-
gether and have never been known to
fight. There is also long building
for birds. Hanging from hooks were
about sixty cages containing birds of
all sorts. They are hung high enough
to prevent the cats, which live close
by, from interfering with them. Nor
is this all for rs you come out through
the door of the bird house you are
confronted by an immense sign which
reads: "Horses pastured and colts
handled with care"
Upon inquiry it was found that
horses were taken for the summer and
colts were broken.
If there was any other sort of animal
That required care it is very probable
that it, too, would be found there.
The farm is owned and conducted by
u man named William Welsh, short,
stubby, good natured man who enjoys
telling the secrets of his peculiar bust
ness.
"About ten years ago." Mr.. Welsh
said, ''when L had just landed in this
country, heard a friend of mine won
der why somebody didn't have just
such n place rs [ have here. 1 thought
the matter over for several weeks, and
finally approached my wife on the sub
iect She did not appear to be very
enthusiastic Mt first, but 1 finally pre-
vailed upon her to try it, so when the
summer season began had everything
in readiness and advertised my bust.
ness. The scheme was entirely new
then and did not take very well, but I
managed to get sufficient number of
dogs and birds the first year to con-
vince me that there would be money
in it in the end. We just about cleared
expenses the first season, and when
the next season came around we were
prepared for the reception of any num-
Der of dogs. The second season was
better than the first, and the succeed
ing summers have each been better
than the former, SO that now we have
made it quite II paying business We
have managed to make enough money
in the last ten years to buy this place. I"
'Bnt why do people want to board
their dog, cat or bird, as the case may
be-"
''Iou know that the craze for pet
dogs, birds and cats is increasing every
day, and as consequence there are
wealthy families here in Jersey City
who apparently think as much of their
pets rs they do of their children
When they go away for the summer, as
they generally do, they want to feel
that their pets are well cared for"
''Do not so many dogs and other
animals make an immense amount of
work."
"Of course there is lots of work Mt
tached to the business, but we manage
all right. The first thing in the
morning my son George takes the dogs,
ten ut II time and as many more rs we
know do not need watching, and goes
down to the Hackensack River and
gives them their bath. After they
have been washed with carbolic prep
nration which | use they return to
their houses and q second lot is taken
to the river and the same thing is done
to them, and this is kept mp until all
Of them have been washed. The birds
my wife takes care of and the cats are
cared for by all of us. They are fed
| regularly and receive good care while
they are here. If any of my boarders
| are taken sick I doctor them myself. "
''How many boarders have you here
now?"
"Well, at present there are eighty
one dogs, sixty cats and 1 think 240
birds. For the dogs we get from SO
to SO per month, for the cats 32
and for the birds 50. rs per month.
The horses and colts we make special
arrangements for"
''Do you ever lose any of your
boarders through theft or escape?"
"Well, occasionally n dog will run
away, but we usually find him. As to
having dog stolen, guess not. Any
tramp or thief who would dare to
come in here ut night, amid the noise
that the dogs would make would be
deserving of better fate than he
would undoubtedly meet. New York