The Cats of Parliament Hill Blog

by Klaus J. Gerken Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, North America, Planet Earth, the Sol Planetary system, the "Milky Way" Galaxy, the Virgo cluster of Galaxies, the Universe, and whatever is beyond or ever was before.

Latest update: Tuesday 11 August 2008

Preamble

IMPORTANT NOTICES Please under no circumstances abandon cats or kittens on the Hill or by the Cat Sanctuary. The cats will not readily accept newcomers and for the most part chase them away. Nor is it a given new cats will find the Sanctuary in search of shelter and food. Most abandoned cats are very disorientated and will just randomly wander off finding starvation and death - especially in the winter. If you can no longer care for your cat, please take her to the Humane Society where she can be well taken care of and put up for adoption. This is what we do for any abandoned cat we find. And it causes us great grief when we cannot capture one - which happens way too often. And if you give kittens as a gift for Christmas, ensure the person or the household you give them to can provide for them. If not, then you should reconsider your priorities. No kitten deserves to be abandoned like an unwanted toy. Owning a pet is a serious responsibiliy. If you don't share that feeling, you shouldn't own a pet. It's as simple as that. Abandoning your pet is a criminal offence with up to 2 years in jail. Perhaps you who would be so callous should think about that. Treat your pets well, and they will reward you with unconditional love for the rest of their lives. Should we all care so much as they care for us. Klaus J. Gerken Before you abandon a pet you can no longer care for, please contact these organizations:

Previous logs are available at the Library and Archives Canada:

All photographs by Klaus J. Gerken unless otherwise stated.

Comments are always welcome: Please send any comments to kgerken@synapse.net (We reserve the right to publish any comments on this blog).

Invitation I would like to invite anyone who has recollections or photographs of the colony before the present condos were built; especially any recollections or photographs of Irene Desormeaux before Rene Chartrand took over caring for the cats, or even prior to that, to send them to kgerken@synapse.net . We are trying to establish a definitive history of the cat colony for a book to be published in the next year or so.

A Brief History of the Cats of Parliament Hill There is a story that Colonel By brought hundreds of cats with him when he built the Rideau Canal in 1826, to take care of the rodent population, but unfortunately that cannot be confirmed. What can be confirmed is that cats were employed in the Parliament Building (as in many other building) as pest control until 1955 when they were replaced by chemicals. Until 1970 ground keepers fed the cats in various locations, when Irene Desormeaux began feeding the cats where the existing colony now resides. Rene Chartrand began helping her in the mid-nineteen eighties and began building some wooden structures (some of which can still be seen) for the cats to keep warm in. In 1987 when Irene passed on to take care of stray cats in a greater colony beyond this world, Rene took over and loyally fed the cats to this day. In 1997 Rene and a friend built the existing structures. Brian Caines began helping about that time, and I began helping out in 2003. That year brian and I decided to put together a support team to ensure that Rene would be ok (he's in his mid-eighties now) and that the cats would always be well provided for. We now have a team of eight caregivers who volunteer their time to this amazing cause. * The cast of characters: Irene Desormeaux (Who started it all in the 1970's) Rene Chartrand (Who took over when Irene passed on in 1987 and maintains the colony till this day -- he built the shelters in 1997) The Support Team: Brian Caines (Ensures the colony's health and welfare) Klaus Gerken (Official Photographer, and Keeper of the Blog - I do the weekend shift) Laura Jaremkow Lorraine Milobar Sally Sax Helene Pomerleau Kathryn Bunn Leyla Di Cori Heather Ferguson Sebastien Badour Christ Oliver - Author of "Fish Lecan, Maria Dorfinkley et les Chats de la Colline du Parlement" and the blog below: Ben Asselstine

True Stories about the Cats on Parliament Hill by Christ Oliver

The Alta Vista Animal Hospital (For medical care). Purina for cat food. And a host of many others. And the cats: *Coco (RIP 2005) *LePune (Lost 2003 and perhaps sister to Brunette and Lulu) *Big Mama (RIP 1985? to 2006) The white mother and her brood: *Thumbelina (Adopted by Sebastien Bador 2008) Snowball (AKA Six Toes - lives with the white mother on the east side of the Hill) *Kid Jr (lost 2006) *Blanchette (lost in 2003) Blackie Fluffy Brownie *Lulu (lost 2004 and sister to Brunette) Brunette Ti-gris Bebe (Integrated 2000) Bruno (2003/4 - adopted by myself Feb 2004 - and flourishing) *Smokey and her three kittens living in the West Block ( put up for adoption fall 2004 because they could not integrate, no matter how much Smokey tried) *Monty (lost 2004) *The black and white we never got to name who only stayed a month (summer 2004) Spot (Integrated 2004) *Samantha (Lost Nov 2004) Max (Integrated 2005) *Shadow (Integrated 2005 - but probably there earlier and the father of Smokey's kittens)) - Put up for adoption March 2008 because of special medical needs *Penelope (Abandoned Christmas 2005 - taken to the Humane Society Feb 2006) *Lillian-Wentworth (Integrated 2007 - Believed stolen from the colony Spring 2008)) *Phoebe (The new white - taken to the HS by Brian and Laura 18 June 2007) *Hero (15 years old - abandoned - taken to the HS for adoption) *Mike the cabbie (Abandoned July 2007 - Named by Joanne Stanbridge) - Taken to the Humane Society 24 July 2005. *Great Tiger (abandoned in the heaviest snowfall of the winter - rescued by Laura and taken to the Humane Society for adoption - March 2008) And so many others who just walk in and out or are adopted when we can catch them.

Note for all: As Rene Chartrand is now in his mid-eighties several years ago Brian Caines and I decided to put together a support team so we check on the cats to ensure that Rene has been there to care for them on the previous day and to leave some food and water in case he would be unable to make it for whatever reason. To date Rene has not missed a day and is still, and always will be the primary caregiver. Besides, our help allows him to take the occasional well deserved day off, especially when the weather is bad.

The Blog

Brian Caines 05/07/08 5:47 PM Hello All: Laura and I were enjoying an early morning get together on the Hill this beautiful Saturday morning when my cell phone rang (a rarity) and I took a call from a constable in the RCMP detachment at Bank and Wellington. She had just found a kitten that morning and was wondering what to do, so Laura and I went to pick the little one up to take to the Humane Society. Constable Murielle said that she had heard a cat crying so she went out and saw it on the hillock behind their office and she was able to coax it down. The kitten was very friendly so she was able to catch it and we were able to put it into the cage without any problems. I went to have a look around to see if there was evidence of any other kittens (from my experience when there's one, there's usually more than one) but I saw nothing. My feeling is that the kitty was abandoned at the colony and wandered to the west side of the West Block. I asked Murielle to let the other officers to keep their eyes and ears open and we'll do the same. We got the little thing to the Humane Society and she's a small, smokey grey female with a white tuft on her chest-very much like a grey Spot- and she's about three months old. (Can you imagine anyone so cruel as to abandon such a young animal?) She is a beautiful cat, curious and feisty as a kitten should be, with the most striking brown eyes. I thought they were like burnished copper and Laura thought they were a dark amber but whatever colour they are, they are absolutely beautiful. Her shelter number is A091451 should you know anyone who may be interested in adopting her. Cheers, Brian * Brian Caines 05/07/08 5:53 PM Hi Lorraine, et al: The missing blanket is in the large storage container where we keep the carriers. Laura reminded me that I had placed it there after a heavy rain fall last week. Now that she told me I vaguely remember. Age!! And as that container really stinks tomorrow Laura and I are going throw out the old straw that's kept they (some of the boys like to use it as litter) and we'll scrub it down. It shouldn't take too long and it is much needed. B * Klaus Gerken I will try and update the blog with weekend photos tomorrow. Hopefully it won't be so hot that my sweat drips down onto my keyboard and makes it do strange things.

Klaus Gerken Wednesday, 9 July 2008 Some photos from this weekend: Saturday 5 July 2008: Morning:

Saturday morning feeding

Gatineau from the observation point on the Hill near where the whites are hanging out

The cats waiting for me to get back from feeding the whites - Spot, Brownie, Ti-Gris and Blackie

Noon:
Memorial to a lost hobo on O'Connor Street: Andre Hamal

Helene waving to me

Helene: "Not another photograph!"

Rene and Helene

Zowee! Rene and Helene

Helene and Rene: Should we start a rumour?

Rene obviously very happy...

Helene: "Enought!"

Swiss/Austrian(?) entertainers visiting the Hill

Sunday 6 July 2008:
Brunette and Blackie

Max and the fluff

Brownie, Max, Fluffy and Spot

Fluffy and Spot usually aren't so affectionate

...and eating together too! The beginning of a beautiful friendship?

Ti-Gris, Brunette and Bebe sharing a meal

Another

Snowball

Ti-Gris and Brunette - never far apart

930 AM:
Approaching the colony

Brian and Laura busy cleaning out the old straw in one of the back sheds

Brian and Laura proud of their work

Laura and Fluffy

Fluffy

Afternoon:
Fluffy relaxing in the afternoon sun

Visitors and Brownie

Brunette and the roof of the old electrical shed

Max relaxing in the heat

Fluffy and Max

Klaus Gerken Sunday 20 July 2008 Circumstances have precluded me from updating the blog in the past two weeks. Here are some photographs.

Sunrise over the East Block

Ti-Gris, Max, Spot and Brownie

Fog over lowertown

Max exploring the pavilion

Max and Spot

Brunette and Ti-Gris

The Raccoon pups are getting way too friendly

Max and Racoon pup

I'm sure they think they're cats

Rene and Blackie

Sunday crowds

Feeding frenzie

Helene and pigeon

The new abandoned cat - Betsy

It'll take a while - but she's trusting us a bit more each day

Max

Max, Brownie and Blackie on a wet morning

Fluffy and Brownie sharing a meal

Fog over the East Block

Ti-Gris and Bebe

Brunette

Brownie and Blackie

Brownie and Blackie oblivious to the visitors

How cats can sleep comfortably in the most uncomfortable conditions boggles my mind

But then dogs passing by are always interesting to watch

Brian Caines Monday, 2008-07-21 10:47 AM Hello All: Everything was tickety-boo on the Hill this morning. All the usual suspects were there and dear Max and I were able to spend some quality time together. The White Mother came out to greet me when I brought the food and water and I was surprised to see Betsy waiting to be fed. She was laying on the concrete "catwalk" just behind where we feed them. Her paws were under her chest and she was resting comfortably; not a care in the world. She was not distressed to see me at all. I spoke to her and she responded by slowly blinking her eyes. I slowly blinked mine back. Next time I'll bring treats to see if I can coax her to come to me. A long-term project I would imagine, but she is becoming more brave, that's for sure. WM certainly was not aggressive towards her so I have a feeling some type of accommodation has been made. Unfortunately, there was no sign of Sox but I "puss pussed" to let him know that breakfast was being served. I also left an extra bowl of food by the electrical shed, for Spot if no one else!! Cheers, Brian

Brian Caines Tuesday, 2008-07-22 1106 AM Hello All: Visited and fed da beasties this morning. All went well, until Betsy came to the colony and our Max chased her away. I guess he forgets how difficult integration was for him. :-) When I walked to the Whites I called out to her while walking along the path and while feeding MW I could see her weaving in and out of the fence as she made her way to their hangout. She waited until MW ate and then went to the bowl. I stayed and spoke to her and she appeared to be quite content and not too wary of me. But when I put my hand for her to sniff she would back off, just out of range. As soon my hand was removed, back to the bowl she went. After she finished eating MW returned to the bowl and Betsy settled down comfortably for a snooze in the bushes nearby. So progress is being made and with any luck I'll soon be able to touch her. I was pleased to see how clean she is and I was amazed at how quickly she has certainly learned out schedule. I would like to believe that she'll soon stand up to both territorial puddies, Blackie and Max, and put them in their place. Brian PS. I gave Max a good brush this morning. That boy is really hairing out!! PSS. No sign of Sox.

Brian Caines Wednesday 2008-07-23 12:49 PM Hello All: No sign of Betsy this morning but I did see Sox. I fed the Whites and while walking by their hang-out by en route to the post office I noticed Sox eating at the bowl. I stopped and softly spoke to him. He ran into the bushes and he stared at me for a while before he disappeared. I am sure I was still in his sites even though he was nowhere to be seen. He's a beautiful orange-red so maybe we should call him Fox and he looks to be in good health. Brian

Brian Caines Thursday 2008-07-24 11:38 AM Hello All: All the gang accounted for, except for Ti-Gris who I haven't seen for awhile. Off to the cottage?? When I went to see the Whites, both Betsy and Fox were in the vicinity and made themselves known to me. They waited for WM to finish eating and they both then went to the bowl and ate together. I wonder if they were abandoned from the same household? They both seemed quite comfortable eating while I was there and Fox even allowed me to tickle his head a few times before backing off so I was very happy with that. Betsy wouldn't let me touch her, but she looked and blinked at me; a cat's smile so I have been told. The barrier that the fence represents allows them to feel they have some control over the situation, which they do!! At any rate I am very pleased with the progress being made. I am sure that soon Sebastien will make contact when he visits with his treats. I got a much better look at the two of them. I imagine Betsy is about two and Fox is anywhere between eight and 12 months. He is quite young and quite a looker. Brian

Brian Caines Friday 2008-07-25 11:39 AM Hi Sebastien et al: I met Ben on the Hill and while we were cleaning the bowls to feed the cats Betsy dropped by. She and Max touched noses and then the bully chased her away. We think he's telling her that she's going to be the lowest on the totem pole if she sticks around. We went to see the Whites and while we were there both Betsy and Fox came to eat along they stayed just out of reach. But we were able to "chat" to them while they dined and they seemed comfortable with our being there. We returned to the colony and as we were leaving we swung by to see the Whites again and we noticed Mr. Fox in the bushes where you must have seen him yesterday. We put down treats for him and he gradually came closer to the fence and took one treat from my fingers and then he backed off. Snowball dropped by and sprayed the area, no doubt letting the interloper know who's the landlady. Have a good weekend all, Brian PS. Boy, da puddies really like the Turkey flavoured treats. Even Max insisted on having his share.

Klaus Gerken Some photographs from the weekend:

Early Morning cloud formations over the East Block

Max and Brownie, before he took his paw and shoved the bowl away just for himself - I'm sure he learned this from the raccoons

Sunbeams through dark clouds on the Hill

Max

Snowball eating

Betsy makes an appearance

Fox waits in the shadows

Fox get some food

Cloud formations over Parliament Hill

Visitors getting drenshed in heavy rain - I brought out the umbrellas

Bebe

Brunette and Fluffy

Blackie and Bebe

Blackie, Max and Brunette

Spot, with Fluffy and Blackie

Spot and Max

Blackie, Max, Brownie and Spot partaking

The colony

Snowball eating

Betsy

Fox and Betsy waiting for Snowball to stop eating

Betsy having her turn to eat

Fox waiting patiently

Fox: Is Betsy going to leave some for me?

Ok, let's share

Laura arrives and the White mother makes an appearance

Betsy just before she disappeared into the shrubbery

Brunette: "Ok, I've had enough, you can have the food"

Laura and Max, with Fluffy and Brunette

Brunette

Max and Brownie after following to where the whites where

Brian and Laura, and Blackie and Bebe

Afternoon visitors

Brownie

Raccoons

Brian Caines Monday 28/07/08 2:17 PM Hello All: This morning Betsy came to the compound and was eating from the bowls while I was still there. Unfortunately, I dropped something (klutz that I am) and she scampered off. But I realised that she returned when I noticed Blackie peering under the platform. What she was doing there I have no idea. She eventually wandered off and walked beside Max while doing so. He did not chase her. Good boy Max! When I went to feed the Whites she was in the bushes and I gave her some treats. She took only one from my fingers (and that when I was distracted by some passers-by) but I do count that as progress. Cheers, B

Heather Ferguson Tuesday 29/07/08 7:58 PM29/07/08 7:58 PM Hi all, we all love Rene, and he made himself more endearing today. I got on the bus with some groceries on the way home, and an elderly man sitting right up the front insisted I take his seat. I finally agreed, and then realized it was Rene... He found his bag heavy and was complaining a bit about that, but seemed otherwise very well. I don't believe he recognized me at all. Heather.

Brian Caines Wednesday 30/07/08 1:34 PM Hi Heather: Always the gentleman. Brian * Brian Caines Wednesday 30/07/08 2:29 PM Hello All: When I went to see the Whites this morning Mr. Fox was hanging out in his usual spot. He was unusually affectionate, so much so that I was able to pick him up and cuddle him. Knowing he may not be affectionate again for a while (they can be such temperamental beasties) I went back to the sanctuary and grabbed the top loading carrier and returned. He had not moved. I asked the woman who is working on the restoration of one of the statues nearby for some help which she willing gave. I picked Mr. Fox up and who struggled mightily, and we finally got him into the cage much to the relief of human and animal. The planets were aligned as when I arrived at the bottom of the Hill a taxi was just letting passengers out and I was able to get a ride immediately. A relief as Mr. Fox was stressed and I didn't want to have to walk across Wellington to the Queen taxi stand if I didn't have to. Murielle at the Humane Society was able to determine that Mr. Fox is indeed Ms. Fox and she guesses that she is between four and six years old. So much for my guesswork. No wonder she didn't go to the colony; as an adult she was frightened that she would be chased away. Dylan was at the HS when I arrived, bringing another feral cat that he caught in his Kirkwood neighbourhood. What a nice person he is. We'll meet again, no doubt. Cheers, Brian PS. I met with a lovely group of kids from a day camp this morning. I'll write something for the Blog when Jenn forwards some photos.

Brian Caines Thursday 31 July 2008 2:21 PM Hello All: Laura and I will be on the Hill at lunchtime tomorrow (depending on the weather of course) and it would be lovely to see you there as well. Brian PS. 1 Ti-Gris est en ville! No doubt she's returned to do her laundry. PS. 2 Brownie still has it in him. When I arrived at the Hill this morning Helene was watching Brownie and Bebe chase a baby squirrel. After having his breakfast he began to stalk the young'un again, but by then the squirrel was on to him! PS. 3 No sighting of Betsy for the last few days.

Brian Caines Monday 2008-08-04 4:37 PM Hi Klaus: Are you planning on feeding the cats Monday morning?? If you can't I certainly will be available. Lemme know!! Cheers, Brian * Klaus Gerken Monday 2008-08-04 5:00 PM Hi Brian, I don't mind doing Monday morning. I was there 6-7, 10-1130, and 1430-1530 today. Rene didn't come down so I gave the cats two large can's of wet food before the raccoons devoured all the dry. I didn't see Betsy, and noticed that very little of the food was eaten I left for the whites. There were sure a lot of visitors, mostly kids and the cats were all out, so everyone got a good look at them. One hilarious moment when Brownie got his tail bitten (harmless, no blood) by one of the raccoon pups. Boy did B ever run for his life half way down the hill! I coaxed him back up about 10 minutes later. With all the cameras and camcorders I'm sure someone cought the moment. Hope they either send it to me or post it. Except for the brief thunderstorm (which actually cooled things down...) not a bad day at all. Unfortunately not too many photos since (even at 6am) there were lots of visitors asking questions. k * Brian Caines Monday 2008-08-04 5:09 PM Hi K: I am sure Brownie lost more of his dignity than blood! I would loved to have seen it. Brian * Kathryn Bunn Monday 04/08/08 12:19 AM Hello all. Hope everyone is doing well. So my parents are in town visiting me. They went on a walk this evening and I went to a movie. When I returned home, I was greeted by a visitor... a little kitten I imagine is three or four weeks old (my age guesstimation skills suck). My dad heard mewing in the trees near my highrise apartment building and found the kitten in a towel. Kitty was apparently scared and shaking at first but now is ok. Loves human attention. Loves cuddles and belly rubs. He will be taken to the Humane Society tomorrow assuming they are open (Website says they are only closed statutory holidays) and will likely be put into a foster family assuming they are open. I have attached pictures of the kitten. Disgusting what people do. Regards, Kat

Photo

Brian Caines Monday 04/08/08 7:40 AM Hi K: How could anyone abandon such a sweet creature, or any pet for that matter. There's a special place in hell for them that's certain. I know kitty will find a loving home. B

Maria Scharrf Tuesday 05/08/08 10:29 PM Hi Everyone, I made it up to the Hill after work today, around 4. Rene was already there and in good spirits. When I arrived I looked around in the bushes where the cat's hide to let some visitors know the name of the cat they were seeing and to my surprise, it was a new orange tabby cat. He was all orange with only the tip of his tail white. As Rene was at the colony, I fed the cat some treats and gave it some love, he was very affectionate and friendly, meowing and rubbing against me. About half an hour later, Rene left and I went and got a carrying cage in the back. I asked a regular visitor if they could help me get the cat into the carrying cage. He happily helped out and the cat was no problem at all. I took the cat to the Humane Society. He meowed the whole way there but was well behaved. The woman at the front desk said he was a fixed male about 4 years old. His shelter number is AO92785. Too bad his owner was so ignorant, but he is such a sweet, good boy I have no doubt he'll find a nice home. Lia * Laura Jaremkow Tuesday 05/08/08 11:12 PM Good save on the kitty Lia. i hope he wasn't there too long. And isn't it nice that we do have such great visitors around that are willing to give us a hand? Thanks to the person that helped out. i'm glad you were able to give the little kitty some loving. Thank you, .:laura:.

Klaus Gerken Thursday 7 Aug 2008 Some photos from this long weekend: Saturday 2 Aug 08