Working Cat Program

Adopt Your New Employee Today!

While every effort is made to find indoor homes for friendly cats and return unsocialized cats to their colonies, sometimes an outdoor cat may be in a situation where returning to the original colony area is not an option (due to safety or other reasons). In situations where a cat cannot be returned, a new outdoor home becomes a necessity. If you have a barn, workshop, or property that could use some extra rodent control, this is where you can help by adopting a working cat (more commonly known as a barn cat)!

Adopting a barn cat is an excellent choice for both your property and the cat's well-being. These resilient felines are not only natural pest controllers, effectively managing rodent populations, but they also thrive in outdoor environments, making them ideal companions for farms, stables, and rural homes. By bringing a barn cat into your space, you provide a safe haven for a cat that may not be suited for typical indoor life.

Barn cats require minimal maintenance; once they’ve settled in, they only need food, water, and shelter. Their independent nature means they explore and patrol the property, ensuring that pests stay at bay. Additionally, adopting a barn cat supports the principles of trap-neuter-release, contributing to the reduction of feral cat populations in the community. This mutually beneficial arrangement enriches the lives of both the cats and the caretakers, ensuring a healthier and happier environment.

Choosing to adopt a barn cat is a beneficial decision for you and a vital contribution to your community. You’re not just gaining a furry friend; you’re helping a cat find its purpose and ensuring it has a safe place to call home. Make a difference today by considering adopting a working cat – it’s an investment in both your livelihood and the life of a deserving animal.

Check out How To Care for a Barn Cat from the Barn Cat Lady.

Acclimating Your Working Cat.

Cats require a 3-4 week acclimation process where they are contained in an escape-proof area while they get use to their new homes. If you do not acclimate the cats to you and their new environment, they will run off and may not survive! 
During this time they will learn the sounds and smells of their new home while also learning they will be provided food and water. Don't forget a litter box during this time! Acclimation can be done in an escape-proof room, by using an XL kennel, or several kennels zip tied together. (Click HERE for a great video on an acclimation set up example.) During acclimation, it is encouraged that you and your household members spend some time daily with your cat - even if it’s just sitting outside the kennel talking to them - so that they get use to you. After 3-4 weeks, you will want to just open the door to the kennel/room and allow the cats to come and go on their own. Do NOT shake them out or chase them out as this is very traumatizing. Some cats feel completely comfortable being in their kennels and will sleep in them at night and some will never go back in.

Ready to get started? Contact us today!