For many, seeing a cat — or any animal for that matter — is a good pick-me-up. Here in Portland, and especially in Southeast (SE) Portland, many furry friends walk the streets with us. Thankfully, many of the furry prowlers are polite when approached, and you can be treated with a sweet purr if you stop to give them a pet. If you’re lucky, just a 10-minute walk down the street could have you seeing more than three cats! Granted, as some of them may be inside, you may have to glance into open windows to still get the joy of seeing them.
One cat you might see walking around the streets of SE Portland is Benny. Benny, a thick gray and white cat, is always strutting down the sidewalk with immense class. As he plays in his driveway and down the sidewalk, Benny is extremely friendly and curious, which will almost always ensure a pleasant encounter. In his free time, he sometimes even decides to go out into the chicken pen at his house. His owner and SE Portland resident, Lindsey Crock, explains, “He’s a very good cat; when he gets in the pen he will clean the chickens.”
Some owners may be nervous to let their pets outside, but Crock does not worry about Benny’s wellbeing while he explores the outdoors as he rarely ventures far from his home. Despite his friendly demeanor to both to outsiders and family, Benny sometimes rolls away when people try to pet him. His owner describes how, depending on the day, this retreat can sometimes feel silly and sometimes sad.
Much like Benny, the lovely Boo and Stink are two cats that also enjoy their escapades. The small and sneaky pair, like the other cats in their apartment complex, absolutely love looking sleek and clean, therefore, they cannot risk any pets from strangers by any means. According to Mandy Birch, their owner, “They like to tease. [They] plop down in front of you, and then skitter away when you try to engage.”
On top of these creatures, who are really just adventurous house cats, there are even cats that lurk outside — some even earning the title of feral cat. However, upon exploring SE Portland and from the perspectives of its residents, I found that as of now there are not many truly feral cats that occupy the streets. That being said, these cats that live outdoors can range from loving human attention or being scared by their presence. Those that are fearful tend to skitter away at a human’s approach. On the other hand, many do not seem to mind attention from humans, sometimes even rolling around on the sidewalk to call for more affection. When talking to neighbors they could all agree; they wouldn’t be mad if a cat ran away from them, simply happy it wandered up for just a moment.
It is important to note that outdoor cats can be different from indoor ones, whether that be their attitude or the germs they are carrying. That is why it is always a good idea to wash your hands after petting any outdoor cats so you and your pets do not get sick — ew! Even with this in mind, many still choose to approach and give love to these fuzzy creatures, and how can you blame them!
From my walks around SE Portland, the population of cats roaming outdoors seem to be generally healthy and taken care of, even if some may live outside. This suggests that any cats that may be living outdoors have either been catching things to munch on or receiving kibbles from neighbors, with respect to their feline nature, and there is no judgment either way. What everyone should keep an eye out for, is for cats that stay in pairs while meandering — just like Boo and Stink! When you are walking around your neighborhood, you can cross your fingers that you are able to say hi to two cats at once.
People and cats, in many ways, can both help each other. People struggle with a variety of issues everyday, and saying hello to a cat can bring a smile to — almost — anyone’s face, making them feel just a little better. While the minds of cats may be unknown, it is probable that this joy from connection can be said for the cats too. Even cats get lonely at times, and being able to see people around their neighborhood may be just what they need —the food and love are an added bonus!
