They're community cats, meaning that they've been checked, clipped, and are allowed to freely roam.
It also means that there is a group of dedicated feeders who come by nearly every evening with little dishes of cat food, watch them eat, clear the dishes after they're done, and then leave behind only little bowls of water so the cats can have a drink as and when they want.
They're a welcome sight in the 'hood.
Over the last couple of years, these cats have become more than just street cats. They have become friends. They're also friends with a good many people. We've seen the cats run over to individuals whom they recognize, and a charming sight it is.
Not that you'll find them there all the time, though.
Afternoons, especially, are pretty challenging if you want to see the black and orange cat. More often than not, we've found ourselves wandering up and down in circles around her usual space, meowing unabashedly, calling her name loudly- only to be met with no cat.
Not that she isn't around, you know.
She is.
Just that she is under some parked car in the driveways of the houses, or under some parked car right out there on the road, and she doesn't see the need to come out from her shady hideout just to see two humans whom she knows have not brought any snacks for her.
Very practical, this cat, with strong survival instincts.
The other cat that hangs out in the area is the grey-black one.
We dont' know if the cat is male or female- we assume that it is a male. It doesn't matter, of course, but it is just funny, because their behaviors are so different.
Whilst the orange and black one hides under cars to avoid the hot afternoon sun, the black one stretches himself out comfortably on the wall of the terrace houses and goes to sleep.
That's how we found him on this particular Saturday afternoon.
On top of the wall of the house, snoozing, with his long tail hanging down.
So, being the mischievous ones that we are, we went to tap his tail.
But this cat recognizes us and knows that we mean no harm, so all we got was a startled leap and a squinty GLARE before promptly going back to sleep.
The other cat, however, heard the commotion (if you can call a soundless event a commotion), popped out from wherever she was, did a jaunty turn around our legs, and then settled down on the ground- facing the other way.
Yes, she is one jealous cat.
Looking at the last picture, you can well tell.
They're a welcome sight in the 'hood.
Over the last couple of years, these cats have become more than just street cats. They have become friends. They're also friends with a good many people. We've seen the cats run over to individuals whom they recognize, and a charming sight it is.
Not that you'll find them there all the time, though.
Afternoons, especially, are pretty challenging if you want to see the black and orange cat. More often than not, we've found ourselves wandering up and down in circles around her usual space, meowing unabashedly, calling her name loudly- only to be met with no cat.
Not that she isn't around, you know.
She is.
Just that she is under some parked car in the driveways of the houses, or under some parked car right out there on the road, and she doesn't see the need to come out from her shady hideout just to see two humans whom she knows have not brought any snacks for her.
Very practical, this cat, with strong survival instincts.
The other cat that hangs out in the area is the grey-black one.
We dont' know if the cat is male or female- we assume that it is a male. It doesn't matter, of course, but it is just funny, because their behaviors are so different.
Whilst the orange and black one hides under cars to avoid the hot afternoon sun, the black one stretches himself out comfortably on the wall of the terrace houses and goes to sleep.
That's how we found him on this particular Saturday afternoon.
On top of the wall of the house, snoozing, with his long tail hanging down.
So, being the mischievous ones that we are, we went to tap his tail.
But this cat recognizes us and knows that we mean no harm, so all we got was a startled leap and a squinty GLARE before promptly going back to sleep.
The other cat, however, heard the commotion (if you can call a soundless event a commotion), popped out from wherever she was, did a jaunty turn around our legs, and then settled down on the ground- facing the other way.
Yes, she is one jealous cat.
Looking at the last picture, you can well tell.