I was clacking away on my computer this morning when I saw a sheriff’s car pull into the driveway. I got up and went to the door, and this very courteous officer came to knock on the door. This was a first for me.
“Do you have a cat who lives here?” he said after knocking on the door. “We got a call from someone who said you had a cat freezing in the cold and wouldn’t let him in the house. She thought you were abusing him.”
I would typically have been shocked, but this is America in 2024. I invited the deputy to come into the house. Bud and Zinnia met him at the door; he loved Bud.
I took him out through the house and out to the back door. Zip was sitting on his daytime perch on the back porch. He came right over to greet the officer, and I picked him up and held him briefly.
“I appreciate what you are doing, officer,” I said, “would you like to come out to the barn and see where Zip lives?”
I suppressed a smile. Even by city standards, an outdoor cat with a heated house is not considered abuse. I couldn’t wait to show him.
My neighbors likely thought I needed mental help to give a barn cat a heated house. A farmer and blog reader texted, “a barn cat with a heated cat house? You must be crazy.”
I told the officer I was crazy, but the problem wasn’t abuse. He laughed.
“He looks awful healthy,” he said of Zip, “and he seems to like you a lot. He’s a beautiful cat, and he sure isn’t starving.” I could tell he was a bit shocked.
We walked together out to the barn, and we went inside together. I showed him the heated cathouse where Zip chooses to sleep and where we would like him to sleep.
I had a flash of annoyance. I was lucky that the officer came to see for himself. So many real farmers are regularly harassed by people driving by and calling the sheriff when their horses or cows lie down to nap. He was doing his job and doing it right. I pitied the person who called the police on Zip and me. Do they really have nothing better to do? It seemed pathetic to me.
The police definitely have better things to do.
But as much as we laughed, I couldn’t help but think how ironic it is that a mameber of a movement that claims to protect animals would call the police on someone who has spent weeks slobbering over his newfound love of a cat and pestered his wife into installing a heated house in the barn because he was so worried about the cat being cold. That this could be seen as abuse is pretty revealing in an ideology turned upside down..
I am amazed that I would be seen as an abuser because I probably loved the cat too much. Go figure. Still, I am a storyteller and am always grateful when a sweet story like this is dumped on my head. I can’t pretend to be a victim, I confess that I love it.
Maybe someone in the movement might take some time to help animals who really are being abused. It happens all the time.
We all have to live with people like the ones who call him, and I will never give in to them.
“Well,” he said, staring at Zip and the heated house, “would you mind if I came over occasionally and napped here? We both cracked up.
The officer said the caller claimed I wouldn’t let Zip into the house.
“That is true,” I said, ” and he doesn’t want to come into the house. He is a barn cat, and people in cities think it’s cruel for a barn cat to live in a barn. Zip has had all of his vaccines, and is fed twice a day, and stroked for much of the rest of it.“
“But,” said the officer, “he’s an outdoor cat, right? They live outdoors and in barns.”
Yes, I said, we have rats and mice in the barn; his job is to get rid of them for us and keep the animal’s food clean and safe. You know that because you live here. To some city people, letting a cat live outdoors is a crime.
“So people who don’t live here think this is cruel?,” he said, a bit bewildered, trying to make sense out of air, trying to figure out why he was there in the first place.
“Yes,” they do,” I answered. “I’ve been getting nasty messages from people about Zip not coming to the house to sleep for weeks now. But you can see that he is far from being mistreated; if anything, he is already spoiled rotten. I love him a lot, though.” I explained that I was a writer and blogger and believed in being open about my life and animals. That made me a target. It’s my choice. I take responsibility for it. The idea of being free to make decisions no matter how much you love your animals is in doubt. I’m proud to be accused of abusing Zip by these people. It means I’m doing my job.”
And Zip is a beautiful barn cat, I thought again, saving us from invasions from pigeons, rats, and mice. Mum q text
Maria, who saw the deputy and I walking into the barn, came out to see what was happening. She probably thought I would be hauled off to jail at long last.
When I told her the police had gotten a call from an animal rights people accusing me of animal abuse, Maria was speechless (a rare thing). She couldn’t believe it. “I thought this had to be a joke,” she said, “I couldn’t imagine why he was here.” I never saw her look more surprised. She picked Zip up and gave him a big hug.
Zip loved the officer, rubbed against his legs, and was happy to accompany him to his home inside the barn. “He even has a rocking chair,” said the sheriff.
The officer thanked me for understanding why he needed to check it out. I should have taken his picture.
Poor Zip, in his heated cat house in the barn.
I said there was no apology necessary. I said the problem with many animal rights people is that they know nothing about animals and don’t like or trust people very much. They also seem to have a lot of free time. People who see animal abuse should report it to the police; it’s just a shame that the ignoramuses are the most likely ones to call.
I said I appreciated his work and the risks and abuse the police take, and I thanked him for coming.
As he left, he turned and said, “You’re the writer, aren’t you? Didn’t you have an injured bear on the road who crawled onto your pasture a few years ago?”
Yes, I said, that was us, thinking of the poor bear hit by a big truck while crossing the road. I thought of Ed Gulley and how he took the bear’s body home to skin it.
You did a great job getting rid of that bear, I said. We were stunned by a big black bear dying in our pasture. The police were great, helpful, and patient.
“Somebody called that night to say you were abusing the bear,” he said. “Somebody pulled over to ask if we were mistreating the bear.”
Yes, I remember, he said. When Simon, our donkey, died of a stroke, the vet made us haul him out of sight of the road, or somebody would call the police and claim he was murdered.
He smiled. “Every time I drive by, I think of that bear. The state people had to shoot him because he was so severely injured.”
The deputy apologized again for interrupting my work. “No sweat,” I said; “people like that are my work in many ways. It’s good that you checked on the welfare of an animal. Sorry, this one was such bullshit.”
I thought of taking his picture, but then I thought some people would criticize him for not hauling me to jail or giving me a summons. He was too nice a guy for that. There is no reward for being generous and polite.
I appreciated the deputy’s professionalism. He wasn’t aggressive or suspicious, just thorough. He immediately saw that Zip was in great shape, much loved and cared for, and warm when cold, but he still wanted to look and see for himself.
I can’t say I love being investigated for loving this cat so much, and I’m lucky that the sheriff lives up here where barn cats are a revered and essential way of life. But what I thought was, wow, what a neat story this will be to write. What a gift.
The farmers have to put up with this all the time; I’m one of the lucky ones, even though I probably have a police report on my record now. Zip is worth every minute of it.
This is the sad reality of an animal rights movement that knows nothing about animals or those who love and care for them away from cities.
The tragedy for animals is that no movement protects them from the worst abuse, from factory farms or cruel corporate dairies (where cows are never permitted to leave their stalls and chickens can never stand up); those are the animals who are routinely and savagely abused.
But there’s no money in it for the movement; they would instead find exhausted farmers and the elderly poor people and circus handlers and working people like the carriage horse drivers and pony ride givers to pick on and claim they are abusing the animals, very often animals they love and are keeping alive.
I have a voice and can take care of myself. So many animal lovers can’t. I’m a dreamer; someday, there will be a movement that protects the rights of animals rather than drive them away from us and abuse the people who love them and care for them.
Boom! I just fell off my chair reading this! Wow! Good to hear that the officer was respectful and thorough. And so good of you not to get into a fit of fury! Wow…
This is not sounding entirely unfamiliar to me. I will tell you what happened if you promise to hold on to your chair… we were reported because we had a birdfeeding station in our backyard, in the suburbs. So you better watch out with your bird photography, or people are going to take offense to that as well! Our officer showed us the same respect yours did you. We did get a record. It said: do not follow up when there are abuse accusations, because these people merely care for nature and look after it….
My first thought was you have to be kidding me. I am appalled that someone would call, but we do live in a different world. Farm country folks understand, city slickers not so much.
My Bob tail cat loves to be outside. He catches our mice and rats in the chicken coop. He won’t use the litter box in the house and prefers to be outside when nature calls. He comes inside to nap and snack otherwise he will howl and make your life a living hell following and jumping on you until you let him out. So far neighbors have not called authorities on us.
What a joke! Although, no one enjoys the police showing io at their door. So it isn’t really funny.
If you haven’t seen the new Netflix show Twins, You Are What You Eat. I recommend it. I do take everything with a grain of salt, as I know everyone has an agenda. But it really opened my eyes to the corporate farming industry. Now THAT’S animal abuse!!!
Thanks for sharing the stories of the animals in your life and other farm adventures.
Like Maria, I too am speechless….you handled it well though….I can’t imagine poking my nose into someone else’s
business this way..some people have nothing better to do these days it seems. Anyone reading your blog can see
that Zip is loved and well cared for…what is wrong with people?
We really need to learn to be open to the vast and beautiful differences in each human and how they choose to live. We need to understand that just because someone lives in a different way or has differing beliefs, that does not make them “wrong”.
I love having a cat that gets to be inside. But I also grew up in a time where cats on farms got to be barn cats, and enjoy hunting rats and mice. Life is about variety. We are not all the same! And it’s totally ok. Take a breath neighbors. If you must judge and be critical, take a look inside of yourself. Change what you’re unhappy about. It isn’t outside of you. Change your own heart. Listen. Observe others. Allow them to have the same freedom as you.
Keep being you my friend. I love your stories and how you live you live a free and beautiful farm life. Sending love.
It is obvious from your blog that you and Maria love your animals dearly and take excellent care of them. It is hard to understand the barrage of negative comments. Some people can be so shallow.
I am also rendered speechless! I *almost* would like to know just who lodged this unfounded complaint……..but that would serve no purpose. I am still shaking my head as I type this. Good heavens……. some people REALLY need to get a life……and leave everyone else alone to live theirs…….
Susan M
I’ve been involved in Animal Rescue for over 20 years! Barn Cat Programs are ESSENTIAL as they provide an opportunity for cats that are a bit too skittish, wild, or timid to get a home and NOT get euthanized.
Even cats that aren’t feral or skittish (like Zip) can be included in a Barn Program because a “friendly” cat isn’t guaranteed anything! Sadly, millions upon millions of them have been euthanized.
I’m sure you made the deputy’s day too! He also has a good story to tell:)
Thanks Lisa, me too…I’ll be laughed at all over town, but it’s worth it..
I love how Zip is looking down his nose with a little glower, and his claws showing a bit – “Somebody out there wanna piece-a me?” Seeing as how he’s already proven himself an excellent ratter…..
I mean how many creatures get warm bedding and a rocking chair INSIDE a ready-made ‘restaurant’?
That’s our boy…:)
Surprised. His heated house is compassionate and sturdy. Every photo shows Zips content. At least you can find humor.
Thanks for the laugh, however it’s sad the police have to waste your time and their time on such stupid calls. You just can’t fix stupid.
In my opinion, you handled this really well in at least two ways. First, I really appreciate how you treated the officer. Second, you didn’t waste much time with anger towards the nosy, busybody that called in the bogus complaint. Your work on your self has come a long way.
Thanks Mark, more work to do, but kind of you to say that. I felt no anger to the officer, he was just doing his job and he did it very well…I won’t forget the look on his face when he saw the heated cat house….:)
I’m a “city slicker,” you could say, born and bred. I now live in the country. The farmers here do have heated beds/houses in their barns for their barn cats. They treat them like working members of the family and place these shelters within their barns to keep their barn cats good in bad weather. Just my opinion, but the point is kindness, which you exhibited toward Zip by firing up the heated cat house.
Nothing to do with “city” or “country:” Neither is right all the time; neither is wrong all the time; neither is superior to the other.
Bravo! Wonderful. Thank you so much. Who knew a “poor” cat would be so famous 😉
How interesting that someone would waste taxpayer money on this. Yikes!
I didn’t mind some people do abuse their animals this on was just bit bonkers
Ditto Mark.
Well, got that taken care of anyway. Cops now know they have a crazy man around who made a heated houses for a barn cat. Not to worry – they’ll probably cut you a little slace…..
Thanks for the good laugh, Jon! Just a thought, but I doubt it was one of your neighbors that reported you. I would bet it was one of your blog readers who has already voiced their disapproving opinion to you via the blog. It may have been someone sitting in their house in Florida, California, Chicago, etc. Everyone has their opinion on what is best for your Zip. No need to ask for their opinion. They will just freely offer it! I for one love the Zip Chronicles. I look forward to it every day. Your love for him is apparent, and his love for you and Maria is obvious. By the way, he is a very photographic cat!
It was not a neighbor or anyone who know that it matters. Just life
It is pretty funny that you were technically “swatted”. Now you are in that elite group of people like the judges and others in the public eye who have calls made on them just to harass them. Stay gentle friend. It is the best revenge.
Finally a club that will have me. but I don’t think this swatting really just another idiot on social media. I’m not that important.
What a story. One look at Zip and you can tell how well cared for he is. At least the officer was nice.
Didn’t your two other cats live outside their whole lives? I know they went in the basement when winter came. Other wise they roamed around your farm all the time. Did anyone ever call on them? This world is getting sadder and sadder.
I also thought you had to witness animal abuse in order to report it.
Some people just have nothing better to do. Yay Zip, you chubby wonderful cat. He looks better then some dogs I see living inside!.
Take care Jon. Loved how you handled this.
Wow, a kitty swatting! That’s the first time I’ve heard of that happening. Did they miss the part where he has a heated house? People are just so…ugh…
Thank you for sharing this story with all of us who check in on the latest news from Bedlam. Truly astounding behavior by an individual with far too much time on their hands. Positively love reading about Zip! He reminds of my cat who I named Bill and who found me one day. We became best friends even though he would disappear most nights in order to patrol the neighborhood on the lookout for various types of rodents. I fully expect that he will be waiting on that rainbow bridge when I get there!
We finally needed to stop feeding the birds for about a year. We had rat families feeding their young ones at the feeders and using the water bath. The rats and squirrels quarreled constantly with each other over the food and territory. Life out by the feeders , behind the house became noisy. I tried using scent repellents which didn’t work but finally removing the source of food was the only thing that got them to move on. Now I’ve figured out a way to hang feeders by long wires that neither squirrel nor rats have been able to access. Definitely more peaceful out there now.
Thanks for sharing your adventures and reflections at Bedlam farm
I think it’s hilarious that someone thought that you and Maria were being cruel to one of your animals. But then, I have 2 chickens that live in my house (they wear chicken diapers) so what do I know? I’m that Crazy Chicken Lady!! Stay warm!!
Laughing Jane what a neat message jon
Precious memories from when we visited with Scott and Lisa from Pompanuck! What a pleasure to recall those visits! And I made books to remember those experiences by and to share with my friends!!!
What a great place, people and animals!!!