California Man Turns His Home Into Cat Paradise For His 22 Rescue Cats And A Very Good Cause
Peter Cohen turned a regular California home into something far more unusual, a cat sanctuary built around 22 rescue cats and a whole lot of dedication. By day, he runs a construction company, and by night, he is busy making sure Smokey, Vanilla, Poppyseed, Butter, Nutter, Coffeebean, Donut, Secret, Cheesecake, Chocolate, MiniBean, Climber, Mikan, Mango, Nugget, Smudge, Jupiter Jones, Blackbird, Cookie Monster, The Professor, Crumple, and Rumple have room to roam.
After reading Bob Walker’s The Cats’ House, Cohen added elevated catwalks to his own place and kept expanding the setup as more rescues came into his life. One cat’s battle with FIP pushed the mission even further, and the whole house became part home, part hope.
Now the cat paradise is doing more than entertaining its residents, it is helping fuel a bigger fight for feline health. Read on.
All of the feline features in Cohen's home were designed by him! The carpenters who work for his construction company helped finish the work, though.
In an interview with Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, she noted, "Creating a space that reflects your passions and values can significantly enhance your well-being. When individuals invest in their environment, it often leads to a greater sense of happiness and fulfillment." Cohen's journey began when he installed the first catwalks in the upstairs master bedroom around 1997, evolving into a hobby where he collaborated with finish carpenters to bring his creative visions to life.
For more cat paradise inspiration, check out Dreamy Homes, the portraits of adoptable cats in their ideal abodes.
Cohen purchased the home in 1988, and back then there were only two stray cats that the previous owners had been feeding outdoors. But tragedy struck and that changed everything for Cohen. Within mere months of each other, both cats were struck by cars, killing the first and seriously injuring the second. It was then that Cohen decided the survivor should be an indoor pet, and to help keep her company, they adopted two more cats!
After her diagnosis, Miss Bean quickly deteriorated, but as Cohen was preparing emotionally to euthanize the kitty, a follower of ZenByCat on Facebook contacted him about a drug trial being conducted at the University of California-Davis.
While Miss Bean went back and forth between showing progress and regressing, she eventually lost her battle with FIP. That didn't taint Cohen, though. He saw the light in the darkness.
Her fight changed everything for Cohen and the cats still depending on him.
She was an amazingly strong kitten who never stopped trying to play, even when her failing body would not let her. I miss Bean. It is hard to believe she is gone.
But Smokey, another rescue of Cohen's who also participated in the drug trial, did really well! Eleven months into the experimental drug, Smokey remains completely healthy! In fact, his doctors aren't deeming Smokey in remission; they're saying he is cured! Cohen said:
He is one of seven cats in the world that so far have beaten FIP.
Smokey and the other cats from the drug trial are proof that with the right findings, FIP can be cured, so Cohen is on a mission to raise the funds. He makes sure to inform that any funds raised for his nonprofit ZenByCat are used only for the cause, and his home (and cat paradise) are not dipping into the fund.
"Providing a loving environment for rescued cats is essential for their well-being. Creating spaces that cater to their needs, like catwalks, is a wonderful way to show appreciation for their companionship," said Dr. Lawrence Cohen, a child psychologist and expert in playful environments. "Animals thrive in settings that allow them to express their natural behaviors, and thoughtful design can enhance their quality of life."
Check it out!
Here's a really cool video featuring Peter Cohen and his cat paradise! Cats are family.
Wait until you see how Toup, the feral cat, finally moved in with a human after years outside.
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