The times., 1899-11-05

Stray Animals is the name of what is with
out doubt the most peculiar and original
humane institution in the District. The
name is somewhat misleading as far as the
word animals is concerned for only cats
without homes, injured cats. and cats who
have strayed from their misJrcsses need
apply 1t is an institution maintained eX-
clusively for the unfoTtunates Of the feline
race Here are gathered the representa-
tives Of an eat tribes, cats that have lived
in opulence in their prime or before they
were inveigled from their comfortable
homes. cats belonging to the great middle
class OF felines who were once possessed
OF comfortable livings. and cats from the
very slums Of cat society, who were wont
10 make their precarious living as best
they could by pouncing upon an uncovered
dish Of meat or pan Of milk wherever it
could be found.
This interesting institution is conducted
under the auspices of the Washington HUI
name Society and is located al the inter
section Of Nineteenth Street and Columbia
Road, ia a small frame cottage, or more
properly in the back yard Of the cottage.
The property was given to the Humane So
ciety by q wealthy woman who was in
sympathy with the movement. 1t forms an
ideal place wherein woTld-weary and other
felines can spend their declining days or
be detained until good homes can be found
for them Mr.. and Mrs. Frank j. Buckley.
who are thoroughly versed in the care and
treatment Of cats. are in charge and pro-
vide for the immediate wants OF the un-
fortUnates while under their protection.
The refuge was established in August 1897,
and from the start felines, apparently
guided by instinct or directed to its pre-
cincts by human friends, began to arrive.
Room for All Corners.
There has been steady stream Of appli-
cants ever since. coming sometimes at the
rate Of two or three an hour. All deserv-
ing cats are taken in, and that means all,
for it is assumed without question that the
kindly disposed persons Who take many OF
the wandering or ailing animals 10 the
refuge would not steal them from co-ntor-
table homes. The occasional animal which
makes application without the endorse
ment OF a human friend is regarded as
either having no home or having str2yed
from it, and IS. unlike the applicant for ad-
mission 10 some institutions for the unfor-
Junates Of the human race, we-comed and
cared for without question.
The home is indeed a model one in this
respect. and offers features which might
be followed 10 advantage in governing in
stitutions for the aid OF afflicted human
kind Metaphorically speaking, a cat in
order 10 secure substantial recognition
does not have 10 be member Of any par
ticular religious demon inati-n. II the ami
mai is cat and in distress that is all that
is essential and it is accorded full pliyi-
lcges.
Comfortable Quarters.
The quarters given over to the use OF
the cats are. as has been said. located in
the back yard Of the coltagz. and consist
Of several roomy spaces which are entirely
enclosed overhead as well as on the des
by partitions OF wire netting. In each
space is a small. covered structure. with
hunks around the sides The beds are
small spaces Just large enough 70 enable
their occupants 10 curl up, and are sepa-
rated lrDm each other by low board par
tition.
Each space IS filed with straw, which is
renewed as often as necessary 10 keep the
beds perfectly clean The cleanliness o.
The place is strisingly apparent al the first
glance. the houses being Sc ub5ed and the
yards relieved OF all dirt every DAY Il is
difficult 10 see how the most arti ulaT cat
could iud fault with the arrangements
Every advantage for athletic exercise is
afforded The eats For the more youthful
Of the inmates. spools tied 10 q string hang
from the wire netting overhead while for
the older members small trees have been
conveniently placed Every day Two or
three noted Cor their good behavior are
permitted TO wander away from the refuge
mat they may get q change OF Sc ne and
air They invariably return much h=us-
fitted, and are ready 10 90 back 10 heir
quarters when night comes.
The Best in Market.
Their food Is the best the marke, affords
A gallon Of fresh milk is purchased every
day and several pounds Of good meat are
obtained from the butcher. IL explaining
the pains ana care which are taken in pre-
pairing be cats food Superintendent Buck
icy said TO a Times reporter that the appe-
lite which cat develops a few days after
il has been al the home is something sur
prisine
j don't know what else IL is - said he.
unless il IS the wholesome diet and regu-
Jar hours. Here you see. when night comes
& cat has 10 place 10 90 bUt 10 bed and it
does not have the opportunity 10 carouse
around and breathe TOO much midnight air
Whenever meal time arrives all the cats
are ready 10 eat"
An effort Is made 70 vary the menu every
day. Stew made OF beef potatoes. and rio
IS served for one meal. perhaps meat and
boiled potatoes for the next. and a variety
q health food iu the form Of d dog cake
with milk for the third Three good meal.
ere served daily. Everything is the bes-
that can be purchased
Insurrectfons at Times
Surrounded with every luxury and in "a,
need Of thought for the future il nigh
b. believed that the fellues could live II
peace. but such is not the case. Pett!
5ealousies and quarreis spring up anon,
them, and frequently q pair OF three decid,
20 have il out. The disturbance sometime
involves q whole cagefui Of cats; then her
is a mad medley OF music and hair Whel
the trouble assumes too serious an aspec
and some Of the smaller powers seem like
ly 10 De crushed. Mt Buckley exercise
a little compulsory arbitration and thus 10
time the differences are adjusted. On thr
whole however. the cats aIl lead Z com
paratively peaceful existence which. n,
doubt Is the result Of all parties being con
Etsutly prepared for war, for cats are selfsl
animals.
Provision Is made for caring for fort,
cats. and as fast as that number is eX
ceeded the 80 looking ones are quietly an,
quickly removed from sorrOws by the u.s.
Of Illuminating gss-bloWn into an air-tigh
cage in which the victims are placed
Many FeIines Adopted.
The cats Of the best breeds are kept il
q separate compartment and an effort d
made TO provide them with good homes
Anyone wishing to adopt a cat is showl