Blog article by Brenda Altman, UC Master Gardener
Have you ever walked into a plant nursery store and discovered a pleasant surprise? No? Nothing like an exotic plant or an heirloom garlic special but cats. Oh, it is a cat, no, it is two, no, three. Nova, Tessa, and Reggie now reside at the Mid-City Nursery, Highway 19 (Sonoma Highway) in American Canyon. Well, they are there most of the time sleeping, eating, playing, and running around (that is if you can find them). I have been told they came from a place where they were neglected. So being the self-domesticating creatures they are, they sought better digs. Another cat, Terra, resided at the nursery in 2020, but she found a forever home during the pandemic. Nova showed up about three years ago, followed by daughter Tessa, and then Reggie (relation unknown).
Why did they pick Mid-City? Probably because of the shelter, the warm and friendly staff, and a steady supply of food plus a warm, loving environment. Feeding time is every morning, Tuesdays through Saturdays. On Sunday and Monday, other volunteers feed the cats. Meredith greets the excited, hungry cats when she opens the business doors every workday. The owners have seen all the cats’ health needs and neutered them.
Nova the older cat can usually be found in a basket on a shelf near the front office. She is the sleep queen. Reggie and Tessa have their water and food apart from Nova.
When they are not eating or sleeping the cats have full run of the nursery. It is a big place that the cats can explore, there is a sheltered area for sensitive plants, and there are rows and rows of in-season veggies. These cats have the run of the place. They can explore, sleep, and hide anywhere. But Nova prefers staying in her basket in the front. Be careful when trying to pet her she is a moody mom, Reggie is the friendliest of the three cats. I saw him jump on the checkout counter. Hop over the register back down to the floor and then go outside to greet customers. At night, when the cats are outside, their staff covers the catnip display to keep them from eating it up.
The staff take loving care of cats as well as their customers. Mid-City is a wonderful place for cats and gardeners. Visit the nursery and see if you can find the cats.