The Facilities

From the main cattery bedroom and lounge area, to the pool garden, to the sprawling labyrinth of specially designed catteries, the Maine Coons of Jaeger Cats have ample space and opportunity to satisfy their curiosity and express their wild sides at each stage of their lives. 

 

The Bedroom

(Birth to four weeks)

When the time draws near, the queens are given a special spot in the cattery  bedroom. This ensures that the dedicated 'house mother' is there for the mother during the birth to help everything go smoothly, and she can keep a close eye on the kittens in their vulnerable early days. 

Each litter is born in large plastic tubs layered with freshly laundered towels. The tubs serve several purposes: they are easy to clean and disinfect, keeping risks of infection and illness to a minimum for mothers and kittens; the kittens can’t fall out of the tubs or wander off and come to any harm; if the mother needs a break (as moms of all species sometimes do!) they can easily hop out of the tub while the kittens remain in a safe, comfortable space that smells like mom. 

 

The Kitten Playroom

(Four to eight weeks)

When the kittens are ready, the little family moves out of the bedroom to the kitten playroom. The playroom gives the kittens a little more room and cornucopia of toys to explore and experiment with, but still in a safe and controlled area. There are climbing toys up the walls and even the window is enclosed in mesh so they can sit outside but remain secure.

At this time the kittens also begin the process of weaning, so the kitten playroom doubles as a dining room, and meals including scrambled eggs, thinly sliced raw chicken, and raw minced meat are served to the residents.

 

The Pool Garden

(Eight weeks and older)

Older kittens and some of the adults are allowed free run of the patio and pool garden. Since Maine Coons enjoy water, the cats can often be spotted pawing at the swimming pool, or sitting with a bushy tail draped in the water. The pool garden is also home to a pair of tortoises, who provide endless amusement for the kittens, and thickets of bamboo and other plants that the cats and kittens love to hide and play in. However, at night the kittens need to be back in the safety of the kitten room with their mothers. 

 

The Catteries

(adults)

While the toms and queens of Jaeger Cats are undeniably beloved pets and members of the family first, and breeding cats second, the family has grown to a point that they can't all be in the house at once. 

To ensure they have comfortable lodgings when it’s not their turn to share the human home (and to prevent unplanned pregnancies) Clair has dedicated a small fortune to building a sprawling series of specially designed and equipped catteries. Each of these features custom-built climbing frames, large enough to accommodate the significant stature of the Maine Coon, along with a variety of plants, rocks, water features, trees even water sprinklers and a variety of and sleeping options for the cats to explore and enjoy.
 

Staff

The Jaeger cats are never alone, there is always somebody on duty to ensure that the cats and kittens are looked after. The staff does day shift and Sandra and Elizabeth usually do night shift. Our full-time staff includes:

Clair
Clair is the founder of Jaeger Cats Cattery and Jaeger Pet Freight. Now based in the US, Clair expands our offering there. She maintains involvement and tight control of the  operation in South Africa and has appointed experienced and dedicated personel to run its day-to-day activities.

Nicole                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Nicole is in charge of managing the cattery. She is in charge of all of the admin, food orders, vet records and kitten registrations and pedigrees. She is our contact person for clients providing all of the information needed for the journey of becoming a proud parent of a Jaeger Maine Coon kitten. 

Sandra
Sandra is the full-time Jaeger Cats Cattery 'house mother' and pays special attention to the kittens. She is thorough and meticulous. Highly skilled in birthing kittens and understanding every cat, She knows exacly when each and every cat is happy sad or stressed. She is highly knowlegable when cats are showing signs of being ill.  She openly loves all the cats and whenever she has free time she can be found spoiling her children. All the cats love her and clammer to be on her lap or bed.

Elizabeth 
Has a natural love for animals and nature. She can often be found having a long conversation with the cats as she sweeps the floor and a whole bunch of kittens chase the broom around as if it was a game just for them. First to notice if a kitten did not eat enough or if an adult cat is unwell, she is a real asset to the cattery.

Strong
Loyal and patient, Strong is always ready to lend a hand with anything heavy like changing the water bottle or carrying heavy litter boxes. He has a natural gentleness with the cats and they all love him. He happily mops, steam cleans the floors and toys, or weeds the cattery garden. Endlessly patient with the cats, Strong has demonstrated his gentle and loyal personality is much like a Maine Coon – strong but gentle. 

Rosemary
Her main focus as a cattery assistant is to help with the feeding and cleaning of the cattery. Rosemary happily steps in to assist other staff where needed.

Cassim
Cattery work is new to Cassim, but he has aproached his new position with passion and enthusiasm. The cats all love him and he is doing a great job!

Karen
Karen's focus is on assisting with deliveries and collections needed at the cattery. She is on call for everything from buying food, litter, medications and blankets to vet trips. 

Kate
Kate manages and runs the Jaeger Pet Freight division. Providing services for clients needing their Jaeger kittens transported. Jaeger Pet Freight also provides pet freight services for any pets (dogs and cats) requiring relocation - be it within South Africa, Regional or International transportation. At Jaeger Pet Freight we believe no pet should be left behind! We ensure all paperwork, clearances and safe cartage needs are met for your loved furry family members.

 

Cat Kitchen

Clair strongly believes that the only way to raise healthy kittens is an extreamly clean environment, a raw diet and lots and lots of love and attention. Adjoining the catteries is the cat kitchen and laundry. Over her years of experience with Maine Coons, Clair has formulated a diet comprised of fresh ingredients like  mince, chicken, fish and fresh eggs along with traditional cat food. Goat milk and occasionally yoghurt. Meat portions are weighed to ensure every cat gets enough (ususlly 2% or more of their body weight daily) In order to ensure that each of her cats is fed the optimum combination of ingredients, she has built a kitchen just for the storage and preparation of her beloved cats’ meals. With all the mod cons… cat fridge, cat freezer, dishwasher, microwave, washing machine, Aquazania water dispenser just for the cats. And a tea and coffee station for staff and visitors, cat toys and beds everywhere. A winning combination of happy cats.