Cat agency: design of an adaptable playhouse for quarantine in cat shelters

It is well-known that the general situation of many feral cats is poor. The sight of these miserable creatures, convinces us to help those who are struggling to survive. But should we? Isn’t it better to leave the cats alone and grant them complete freedom? These questions are the center of the debate of animal agency and the context of this research. The current systems for housing and isolating cats in animal shelters frequently disregard this agency, resulting in environments that fail to meet their physical, social, and emotional needs. Housing and quarantining cats present significant challenges for shelters, as conditions can rapidly change due to fluctuating populations and disease outbreaks. Often, this leads to inhumane living conditions for the feline residents when considering animal agency. This design proposal aims to address this concern by presenting a playhouse for quarantined cats that treats them as equal beings. By integrating elements of socialization and enrichment into the housing system, quarantine periods better suit their needs. Additionally, the playhouse is modular, allowing it to be easily adapted to various shelter conditions, infrastructures, and situations, thereby facilitating the effective management of all cats and their housing. The research begins by examining the natural behaviors of cats and rethinking the human-animal relationship to understand their physical and psychological needs. It then studies animal shelters, highlighting the neglect of cat agency and identifying areas for improvement in housing and management. Case studies from shelters in diverse contexts offer practical insights into the limitations of current housing and isolation setups. A comprehensive analysis of all aspects of quarantine follows, including disease control, shelter management, and the mental and physical well-being of cats.