01-30-06 Special Called City Council Retreat Meeting of La Porte City Council

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• • and stimulation of exercise with others. To take advantage of dogs' naturally occurring peaks of activity at dawn and dusk, an easily -accessible and spacious area should be provided for vigorous exercise. Play and exercise areas can be enriched with "king -of -the -hill" structures, tunnels, and other obstacles. This space can also be used for interaction between animals and training with staff. The dogs' environment should have some complexity and variety. Both the size and the shape of a space is significant. Most dog kennels are long and narrow, which can promote stress and aggression. Animal behaviorists note that narrow hallways and doorways in shelters are the most common area for an attack. Narrow kennels also inhibit the play behavior of adult dogs, depriving them of the space to jump, bow, or play -wrestle according to their own special play -rules and gestures. Raised platforms allow the dogs to escape from each other and offer them a different visual perspective to observe their surroundings. Separate enclosures within the kennel can also add complexity to the dogs' environment, while providing an additional escape area from kennel mates or excessive stimuli. Feline Environments While many cats show fewer signs of stress if they are housed individually, domestic • cats are generally social animals that can benefit from being housed together. Because they do vary significantly in their desire to be social when housed together, a range of hiding and private resting places should be provided in colonies so cats can choose to interact with other cats or remain alone. Visual barriers, such as panels, can serve to divide the space and allow cats to hide from each other or from people. Providing play areas, such as jungle gyms, elevated walkways, and tunnels, help alleviate boredom and provide additional private spaces. While studies have indicated that the quantity of space is more critical for cats that are group housed, individual enclosures should also have enough room for cats to move around and stretch fully in the vertical dimension. Perhaps even more important is the quality of their space. Elevated platforms or shelves at different heights allow them to exercise or perch for observation, as do wide window sills which provide views and natural light. If at all possible, cat enclosures should be located on outside walls. Ropes , climbing "trees", and raised walkways add interest and extend their space vertically, while miscellaneous furniture, objects, and toys can provide for their natural curiosity and desire to play/hunt. The areas should be flexible, utilizing hinged shelves and movable furniture, because even small rearrangements will renew space exploration and promote activity. The basic instinct to scratch, which not only sharpens the claws but also allows for stress -relief, can be satisfied with the provision of ropes, scratching posts, or pads which the cats can also scent -mark, another natural behavior pattern. 0