Udupi: Feline love: It's 'reign'ing cats and kittens at Geetha's house!


Udupi: Feline love: It's 'reign'ing cats and kittens at Geetha's house!

Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Mar 6: You would have seen one or two cats moving around houses of relatives and friends. These felines are commonly looked after in rural households for hunting down rats. Cats can be very fierce when challenged, and therefore it is a common sight to witness catfights whenever there are more than a couple of cats around.

Visit Geetha Teacher’s home in Cherkadi near Brahmavar in the taluk for a surprise. Her house is home to over 40 cats, all of which live harmoniously.  You will be greeted by cats peeping from behind flower plants, sitting in the courtyard, giving curious looks from the hall of her house and everywhere else. You cannot enter kitchen, switch on television, open windows or visit cowsheds without finding some cats there.

Geetha Teacher had brought two kittens to her home for rearing about nine years back. They were named Vocha and Vochi. Vocha soon strayed away and never came back. All the cats presently seen belong to Vochi’s lineage. Vochi’s kittens have great-grand children, and the young kittens found in the house belong to her fifth generation.

These cats have been given interesting names, like Chinna, Banna, Neel, Soni, Neeli, Himani, Shimani, Peeli etc based on the complexions, Shashi-Kushi, Midi and some others like these based on their behaviours, Gundu, Siri etc based on their looks etc. Jana, Jane, Munna, Munni, Jirsal, NSD, Military, Panchami, Panchi etc are some other names these cats are known with.

But for Geetha’s tender care, these cats would not have survived for long. Geetha ensures that those who want to rear the newborn litters are prepared to adopt the entire batch together. She gives kittens to others only when she is confident that they get the care they deserve.

Geetha says that tomcats do not mingle with mollies from the same family, and that tomcats from a house go out when their counterparts from neighbouring houses come on a visit. The female cats provide maximum care to the kittens, and even feed kittens not born to it, she adds. She warns that people who rear cats should be careful as they hunt down butterflies, frogs, snakes etc for providing food to their offspring.  She adds that one can get hint about hunted animals being brought in, by the strange sound the cats make.

Two cows in Geetha Teacher’s cattle shed provide enough milk for the family members and the cats. She also gives out the excess milk to the needy free of cost. When the cows stop yielding milk or the yield is insufficient, she brings milk from other households to keep her cats content. Her cats devour rice, Idli, Kadubu etc in addition to milk.

An adage in Kannada says that cats always like to stay aloof from other cats but in Geetha’s house, one sees cats living together, supporting one another, thereby making the family content besides providing entertainment.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Della Rego, Doha, Qatar

    Sun, Mar 09 2014

    May God bless Geetha teacher for her kind gesture towards the cats. Happy those all cats who are with teacher.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Sat, Mar 08 2014

    Cats in a limited number are o.k.But here it Looks like animal hoarding.some People have love for animals that goes above normal.I too like cats.we had one cat at home at 8 o clock evening used to come and sit in front of altering where we used to say prayers.there was no Need to look at clock.punctual.and best is as we used to sing hymn after prayers she too was yowling just like us.it was too nice to hear .Unfortunately, we heard she died as she consumed poison kept for rats.well if Geeta teacher is happy and enough place is there in village to roam about let it be.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • melwyn miranda, moodbidri/gantalkatte

    Sat, Mar 08 2014

    Beautiful pictures.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • kodialda muthu, mangalore

    Fri, Mar 07 2014

    Dear Geetha teacher, keep up the good work! Please be careful of viral disease, distemper! You deserve Bharat Ratna! May God bless you always! Also tell your students to save cats. All the best!

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramakrishna. K. , Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 07 2014

    Since childhood we have read about Cats being the enemy of Rats. We daily watch Tom & Jerry fighting.
    But has anyone seen Cats really catching Rats now a days ? Even if the rats run around the house in front of Cats the Cat does not even look at it.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Langoolacharya, Belman/Washington.DC

    Sat, Mar 08 2014

    Correct,,, times have changed...

    During my childhood, I was under the impression that Police and thieves are enemies,,, later on to my shock and awe I realized they are best partners and made for each other....same applies cats and rats co-existence peacefully now a days...

    ...JH...

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • P S Shetty, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 07 2014

    Cats may be owners' PRIDE but surely they are Neighbors' enEmy.
    Rearing Cats is okay, but what about the Seats of Scooters, Bikes and Cars of neighbors which are destroyed by Cats with their Claws during night? Twice my New Scooter seat was torn by neighbors' Cat in last one year and I had to spend Rs.300 twice to repair the Seat.

    The Seat repairer himself said that 70% of his business depending on repairing seats torn by Cats. So, we can imagine the destructive nature of Cats apart from stealing fish, milk from neighbors' houses. So, Owners' Pride and neighbors ENEMY.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • sundari ashoknagar, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    Bhandu miyavn

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bollu, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    What I liked the most in the photograph...home and it's natural surroundings..!!
    So beauty..everything..one feel happy...!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bollu, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    From time-to-time up to now had more than 40-50 cats..!!!
    One of the good one..three small black kittens which abandoned by there mother..
    One of Mother Cat even is to act like Dog..coming behind me..where ever I use to go..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Animal lover, Udupi

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    Watching the cats play relaxes your mind.no wonder God has created them for us to release our tensions. I sincerely request all of the readers treat animals kindly as they cannot live without you they are the ones that make you feel important if not your very own kids.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • dam, mangalore

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    I love cats.... but unfortunately i am living in Apartment here not easy keep a cat in the home... u r lucky Geeta Teacher ..

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Zandy, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    Beware, the day is not far, when cats rule us.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bollu, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    zandy..

    once even cats worshiped in egypt..!!
    what happen latter..you only knows very well..!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Thu, Mar 06 2014



    Teacher good job, but beware, cats are watching and one day they may help themselves without you feeding them.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • D.P.SHETTY, Bahrain

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    Two cats to over 40 cats in a short time. I believe family planning prohibited here.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harshin, Udupi

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    wah! you are doing good job Geetha...
    Itne sare billi ko kaise sambalogi..Anyways, keep it up

    DisAgree [3] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • SM, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    All u need is one naughty dog............and all hell will break loose in the house......

    DisAgree [7] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Achhu, Mlore

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    Next name may be kejriwal since he became famous recently.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    These cats have been given interesting names, like Chinna, Banna, Neel, Soni, Neeli, Himani, Shimani, Peeli etc based on the complexions, Shashi-Kushi, Midi and some others like these based on their behaviors, Gundu, Siri etc based on their looks, etc. Jana, Jane, Munna, Munni, Jirsal, NSD, Military, Panchami, Panchi etc are some other names these cats are known with.



    Same like in this portal, but with different names, Bandhu, Jossu, Prabhu, Langoo, Porbu, bejai juttu, jutta, pai, pais, captain, garnaal, sir, putta, putti, minna, minni, kini,kinna, jessy, tracy, flavia, flavian, lavin, lavina,
    kuppa, kuppi,kitty, kitta, sundari, ari, peddu, pedda, for, against, d.p.,i.p. ,soopi, truth last, lie first and so on...More than 40 cats meeowing together in harmony with a little bit of symphony! Geeta's house no big deal! What say you? Right?

    DisAgree [8] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vasant Raj, Mangalore / Abudhabi

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    Hoi..enta marre..mani tumba bekkeya..

    DisAgree [3] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Arun Kamath, Udupi

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    Yes days are not far. Now it may look strange for some of us, but in our future, in our olden days our best friends would be dogs and cats. If you look at the present condition in every family we have one or two kids and these kids want to settle in Abroad. That is the reason, if you have affectionate pets, you can live happily and peacefully talking to them and they are more loyal than the human beings.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [52] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anand, karkala

    Thu, Mar 06 2014


    The point to be noted my Lord.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • J Saheb,

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    Geethakka hats off..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan Braganza, Mumbai

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    Kittens are different from dogs in the sense they are independent. Just like tough chick , one has to earn their love or affection.

    The Dog , upon a piece of cake wags the tail and comes behind you. It's good to know about such people, but should be open to stray cats too.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalore

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    Looks to be cat club.May be due to excess love towards the cats.Thanq.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nancy, Belman

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    As she is a Teacher by profession, must be taught some basic principles to cats from the small. So they behave well. Otherwise to manage so many cats baapre baap!!!!!

    Good work Tr-Geetha...I love Cats....

    DisAgree [7] Agree [66] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harshini, Udupi

    Thu, Mar 06 2014

    I love cats

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse


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