Cats and birds together? No way! That’s the most frequent reaction when people hear of the unique concept pioneered by Maria and Patrick Brinson, owners of The Purring Parrot, the couple’s Point Loma cat and bird resort located near Liberty Station. The cheerful resort with its whimsically-painted cat rooms and aviary, all designed by Patrick, bears little resemblance to dreary, old-fashioned cage-filled boarding facilities. Here, up to 15 visiting birds occupy the central aviary and adjacent canopy room, where they sit on perches and enjoy interacting and playing with other birds. Feline guests can watch the birds’ antics through the glass doors of their individually decorated suites while the cats snuggle on soft beds, splash in their water fountains and chomp on kitty grass. Thanks to soundproof one-way glass, the cats can see the birds, but the birds can’t see the cats. Merlin, Bean and Soda Pop, three of the Brinsons’ five resident birds, do “fly bys” past the cats’ rooms, providing extra “bird-o-vision” entertainment. Shy or frightened cats can curl up in a hidey-hole, conceal themselves behind drapery or climb carpeted ramps to a high perch to avoid curious and noisy birds. The Brinsons ensure their feathered and furry friends feel comfortable and at home. They encourage the guardians of The Purring Parrot’s guests to bring their pet’s favorite foods if different from the resort’s normal menu — along with favorite toys and other items as reminders of home. Valerie Miller’s citron-crested umbrella cockatoo (named Sydney) is a regular day and overnight boarder at The Purring Parrot. Miller said she values the care, mental stimulation and socialization Sydney receives as a member of a flock of parrots. “Maria and Patrick really have considered everything. They’re so well-educated in the care of birds,” Miller said. “Maria dances and sings with the birds and makes foraging toys and mechanical puzzles for them.” During a recent visit, Maria coaxed Roo, a Panama Amazon parrot, to warble his favorite song, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” while Maria tempted Roo’s companion, Linus (a plum-headed parakeet), with a plump strawberry and corn-on-the-cob. Both birds visit weekly to socialize with other parrots and overnight when their guardians travel. The Purring Parrot can accommodate up to about 45 cats and kittens in 18 double rooms and three larger rooms comfortable for three to six cats. They, too, receive at least three visits a day, for housekeeping, brushing, feeding and one-on-one playtime. “We check their litter boxes several times a day,” Maria said. “The cats quickly learn from others that if they use their box or pretend to use it, they’ll get extra attention.” Ragdoll regulars Lucky and Charlie enjoy popping between the two rooms their parents reserve for them, munching on their extra nightly-baked chicken or tuna treat. While most cats stay only a week or two, or come when their homes are tented for termite fumigation, the Brinsons also care for longer-term guests. A family of three — Eliza, Tess and Isabelle — are all rescue kitties. They are currently ensconced in a quiet corner suite for a five-month stay while their parents are overseas on a temporary assignment. Maria arranges for “the girls” to send their parents regular e-mails reporting their activities, along with snapshots. “We treat this as a human hotel,” Maria said. “We refer to our residents as our cat guests and bird guests.” Maria said sometimes she arranges transportation for her feline guests to rejoin their parents abroad. Tom, an orange American shorthair and frequent Purring Parrot resident, will soon move to Japan via Pet Movers after his parents relocate. Recently, Maria arranged transport for another client’s cat to St. Kitt’s in the Caribbean. The Purring Parrot sells all of its cat and bird amenities, from plush beds, drinking fountains and toys for cats, to perches and cages, special seed mixes and brightly colored wooden bird-toy components, all safely dyed with human food-grade coloring. The resort’s website also features an online store. For information about lodging, cat room photos and live-streamed aviary webcam video, visit www.thepurringparrot.com, or call (619) 223-2326. The Purring Parrot is located at 3015 St. Charles Street, Suite D.