Have you ever been to a humane society where cats are treated like royalty? Neither do I. Most (shelters ~ humane societies) have lots of cat carriers, as well as a playroom with cat beds and cat furniture. Playrooms are full of cats, some of whom don’t get along with each other. I thought this was pretty much how everyone was until I read about the Animal Rescue League of Washington.

This place is a true utopia for the cats that have been left behind. His philosophy focuses on recovery and adoptions. Each cat has its own living room made of bacteria resistant material and without metal bars. Instead, tempered glass doors are used. This not only promotes recovery for the cats, but also allows for excellent viewing for people passing by. Each space also has a pair of perches so that the cat can have different points of view. Also, each one has a separate area for their litter box. What I thought was the most extraordinary feature was the ventilation system. They pump fresh air into each space every four minutes. Very sweet!

Of course there is a game room, but not just the cat play room. This one has a waterfall to the ceiling! Can I stay there? There are several levels on both sides for the cats to climb and play. Did I mention that only cats that get along with each other are placed in the playroom at a time, and then only eight per play turn? These people thought of everything. They have large tree branches throughout the game room that are replaced a few times a year. Volunteers spend time with them in the game room to acclimatize them to humans. If I were a guest of cats, which is what they really are, I wouldn’t want to leave this place!

The relaxing atmosphere has paid off in so many ways. They claim that cats are less stressed. Additionally, with their high-tech ventilation system, they have seen a 95% reduction in airborne illnesses. This goes hand in hand with his philosophy of recovery and wellness. The facility also reported substantial growth in the number of adoptions. It seems that people also like to spend a few hours there … no wonder.

I find this place to be a great model to copy at other facilities. We all want to promote a healthy and caring environment for cats in shelters and this seems to be great.