News

Chilli is a totally chillaxed cat

By Daneka Hill

Sep 22, 2022

‘Teenager’ Chilli is the first animal to greet you on Sarah and Raymond’s Undera farm. The six-month-old owes his life to the nurses at Rochester Veterinary Practice who hand-raised him as a kitten. Photo by Daneka Hill

Chilli had a rocky start, landing at the Rochester vet as a young kitten and hand-raised through his first few weeks of life. Six months on and he’s fully embracing the ‘house cat’ title on Raymond and Sarah Parker’s Undera dairy farm.

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Where did Chilli come from?

We got him from the Rochy vet and he was already named. He was supposed to be a farm cat, but he’s a house cat, really.

How old is Chilli?

He’s around six months.

Chilli has caught a few mice in his line of work, but the work ethic isn’t up to scratch. Photo by Daneka Hill

How did you end up with him?

We were looking for another cat and he was available at the vets. He’s had no issues adjusting to farm life — although, it’s not really farm life for him.

Do you have other pets?

We have an older cat called Rebel. They get along like brother and sister — so they are friends who have little scraps. We had a milker whose dog chased Rebel. Well, Chilli raced in and beat that Jack Russell up.

“He reminds me of a Sphynx cat with his eyes, especially when you compare him to Rebel.” Photo by Daneka Hill

Where’s Rebel?

She’s inside sleeping. She is bigger than Chilli, but she is also older too, so all she does is sleep. Chilli is a teenager, so he’s out and about more. We put a bell on him because he’s been stalking Rebel non-stop. Now she’s got some warning.

What’s Chilli like?

Super friendly. He’s called Chilli because he’s so chillaxed.

Do they know tricks?

The cats know ‘sit’. I also trained them with treats, so when I shake the bag they come running and I can easily lock them inside before dark. They sleep inside — it’s safer for them and the native wildlife.