Thread: Advice needed

Originally Posted by Queen Ingrid of Burma

Hi guys, I'm new on here and I don't actually own a maine coone, but as a lover of cats I decided to join as I'm concerned about my neighbours' maine coons.

My neighbour is keeping maine coons in an enclosure in his garden and they live permanently in there. I know he is breeding them and has more in the house (don't know how many) but there are 3 in the enclosure - 2 in one section and 1 separated off at the end. I would like to know peoples views on keeping maine coons (or any cats!) permanently in an outdoor enclosure. Are maine coons sociable? I'm guessing 'yes' as they always meow at me when I open my front door. I've peered over into the enclosure and the two cats have two bowls - both of which look almost empty of food and water. Perhaps they eat/down it quickly, I've no idea! The 3rd cat which is separated off is difficult to see but I noticed just one bowl with a bit of water in it. The litter tray is always very soiled - but I can tell its being changed (maybe not always every day). The owner works long hours and maybe I just dont see when he feeds them - and they are probably that hungry they gobble it all down at once? Or am I just making excuses?

They look healthy enough but it worries me they're not getting enough human attention, love and companionship - and also their basic requirements are 'skimped on' by the looks of it. There are things for them to climb on but nothing to snuggle into, from what I can see. I know they originate from a cold climate, but what when winter comes? Won't they want warmth and home comforts?

This is torture for me as they meow every time I open or close my front door as the enclosure is right next door. It's really playing on my mind. Hope someone can help.

Here in Cumbria nearly all breeders have the adult cats outside. Sif's breeder had nine outside (mind you, in covered enclosures and maximum two cats for each one) and they were all perfectly healthy and well fed. Not necessarily 'outside' is bad, as long as you give them cuddles and food. Kittens are always born and brought up inside.
As a cat's owner, I would have been negatively impressed if cats were all inside, because I dare to say that hygienic conditions wouldn't be that great with 12 kittens and 9 adult cats inside.... I can't keep everything spotless clean with just one cat (at some point I had to let it go lol), let alone more...