Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-08-18
QUEER SUMNER BOARDERS.
DOGS, CATS AND BIRDS THAT LIVE
IN HAPPINESS AND PLENTY.
Taking Care of the Animal Pets Of
Wealthy People Who 60 TO the
Country-A Unfoue Industry.

w hultAl
couple OF days ago which read that
dogs and birds were boarded on farm
on West Side avenue. West Side ave.
nue. ls located on the far side Of the
Heights IN Jersey City, in the newly
settled section. The boarding house i,
located on rich farm of about fifteen
acres and about two hundred feet from
the avenue. All through the ground,
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 som,
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-
spectlve homes. Each cat has a 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 at 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
light. There is also long building
Tor 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 az 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 bv
a 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 III this
country, l heard a friend of mine Won
der why somebody didn't have Just
such place as | have here. thought
the matter over for several weeks, and
finally approached my wife on the sub
Iect. She did not appear TO y very
at first, but | finally pre-
vailed upon her to try it, SO when the
season began | had everything
in readiness and advertised my bust
ness. The scheme WAS entirely new
then and did not take very we'll, but |
managed to get Il sufficient number of
dogs and birds the first year to con
vince me that there would be money
in 1t in the end. We just about cleared
expenses the first season, and when
the next season came around we were
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 1t quite paying business. We
have managed to make enough money
II the last ten years to buy this place -
But why do people want to board
their dog, cat or bird, as the case may
be?"
You know that the craze for pet
logs, birds and cats is increasing every
lay, 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
hey generally do, they want to feel
hat 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 at,
ached to the business, but we manage
t all right. The first thing in the
morning my son George takes the dogs,
EN- at time and as many more rs we
NOW do not need watching, and goes
Town to the Hackensack River and |
yives them their bath. After they
AVE been washed with carbolic prep
ration which | use they return to
heir houses and a second lot is taken
o the river and the same thing is done
o them, and this is kept up until all
4 them have been washed The birds
ny wife takes care of and the cats are
AIRED for by all of us. They are fed
egularly and receive good care while
hey are here. If any of my boarders
re taken sick I doctor them myself"
GLOW many boarders have you here
owP"
"Well, at present there are eighty
ne dogs, sixty cats and l think $40
irds. For the dogs we get from IS
D $40 per month, for the cats 81
nd for the birds 49,. rs per month.
he horses and colts we make special
arrangements fer. "
"Do you ever lose any of your
oarders through theft or escape?"
"Well, occasionally dog will run
way, but we usually find him. As to
aving dog stolen, guess not. ANY
ramp or thief who would dare to
ONE in here at night, amid the noise
lat the dogs would make would be
eserving of a better fate than he
ould undoubtedly meet. New York
dvertiser.