World Cat Day
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(told by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
On World Cat Day on 8 August 2021 – The most beautiful song on earth is the purring song of a cat
More than 500 cats live at Gut Aiderbichl’s home and animal visitor centres. These are not just abandoned cats. Animals whose owners have died or could no longer keep them have also found a new home with us.
The cat has probably always been the undisputed number one pet in Austrian households. With their velvet paws, their snub noses and their unconventional character, they manage to make people happy.
The eyes of a cat are windows that let us see into another world (Irish proverb)
In the agricultural Egypt of the 6th century, the cat not only rose to become an elegant mouse hunter, but was also worshipped as a cult animal. For the Romans and Greeks, the cat was a useful pet, but also a scary and unpredictable animal. With the expansion of the Roman Empire, the cat’s homeland spread more and more to the north of Europe.
Today, cats live all over the world, whether in people’s homes or in the wild.
Facts about the cat
Since 2016, all cats with access to the outdoors must be neutered by law. Unneutered outdoor cats contribute to an increase in the number of stray cats. It is estimated that around 80,000 cats can be born in eight years from a cat family whose female offspring are not sterilised.
A few years ago, a young Greek stray cat was packaged as a message in a bottle and left to die a miserable death. How brutalised must a person be to put a living being in a plastic bottle? Little Eleni was rescued by animal-loving people and has been living happily at Gut Aiderbichl for several years now.
Bailey, a beautiful, proud red cat, lives in the cat living room in Henndorf. I will never forget the day when a completely frozen, soaked, whimpering young kitten was discovered in the car park by a visitor. Bailey was quickly rubbed dry, fed and placed in a softly padded basket. It’s a miracle that Bailey has forgiven us humans and has also become a world champion purrer.
The good Lord has an eye on his animal fellow creatures
A year ago, we heard the story of Möhrli the cat. A monastery site had become his territory. Möhrli had everything he needed: a basket to sleep in, food, people, love and cuddles. The monastery was to be closed and the last nun and a friend did not give up – Möhrli came to Gut Aiderbichl, where he settled in very well.
“Humbly I stoop to stroke the silky fur. I am content to be her slave” (Walter Adolphe Roberts)
Pauli the indoor cat has lived in the Great Hall for years. He can be found in his basket, on the sofa behind the cushions, in the shop among the soft toys or meowing in front of the kitchen.
Sometimes he gives the impression of sleeping: curled up, his head slightly raised on a blanket, but his ears always pricked up. You can’t hide anything from him.
At night, Pauli is on the prowl in the various courtyards. Of course, this makes him tired and hungry, and he waits impatiently for breakfast to be served.
I would be delighted if you would accompany me on my next tour of our purring happy cats. Yours sincerely, Gisela.
