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| My barn cat - Honey Delite. |
I went to my local animal shelter's website and saw that they had a feral barn cat program. Turns out that many shelters offer very similar programs. Farmers and other property owners can adopt cats who are not suitable to live as a family pet to come and live in their barn. The cats, who would be otherwise euthanized, get to go live with the farmers and hunt mice and other rodents.
Benefits of Adopting a Cat for Your Barn
There are many benefits of choosing to adopt a cat from your local shelter's barn cat program, if they offer one. Here are some of them.
- Keep rodents and other unwanted creatures out of your barn and property. Protect any grains or other feed from rodents by employing the cats to hunt for you!
- The cats are already spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Most of the things I have read offer the barn cats to farmers for free. If not free, the charges are relatively low. This way, your cats won't overpopulate your property.
- Cats are enjoyable to watch. Whether or not you're able to pet your barn cats, they are still pleasant to watch.
- You'll be saving a life! The cats who are adopted out in these barn cat programs would otherwise be euthanized. They are usually considered feral or not friendly enough to adopt into new family homes.
I'm sure there are other benefits, but these are some of the main ones. You will still need to offer the cats food and water on a daily basis, as well as an area that they can find shelter when needed. Veterinary care for the cats is also something to be considered.
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| Our original hardcore rodent hunter - Kitty Kitty Meow Meow. |
If you or someone you know has a farm with a barn or some other type of property, perhaps you can check out your local animal shelter to see if they offer a similar program. Especially if you have rodents on your property.
I would love a barn then I could have loads of kitties :) We are sure Romeo will find a loving forever home, he's gorgeous xx00xx
ReplyDeleteMollie and Alfie
What a great program!! And so true, it is a win-win for the cats and the farmers! I hope people will consider this option during Adopt-a-Cat month!
ReplyDelete*Cairn cuddles*
Oz
Mom and I think this is a great idea! It is very sad that so, so many feral kitties have to go over the bridge when they could be doing an important job and living a good life instead.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great program
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great program, I wish we had a barn or extra space!
ReplyDeletePiggy Kisses,
Katie and Coccolino the mini pig
honey delite...its verree nice two meet ewe...N keep up de grate werk...this iza awesum program....frank lee any place that haz rodent trubull could use de help oh kitthes....farms, shipyards, even businesses in cities....~~~~~~
ReplyDeleteThe business that Honey Delite was hired to hunt for is a garden nursery. Our property used to belong to a horse veterinarian so there is a barn here with some other building structures too. The barn is used as a tool/shed/ checkout area now.
DeleteIt is a great idea. If we had a large garden and a barn we would for sure. Have a marvellous Monday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
I sure wish there were more barns available for the sweeties.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea - wish we had a barn...
ReplyDeleteNeed to get a barn!! A lot of farmers here have cats for the very purpose of keeping rodent population down. They are well looked after while working on the land.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I did not even know that such programs exist. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific program. I wish there were more barns available for kitties.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great program!
ReplyDeleteI think that's a great idea!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool idea. If I had a barn, I'd love to adopt a feral kitty. (But I am so not a barn girl... although I would love to have a donkey someday, and I probably need a barn for that.)
ReplyDeleteI'm not really a barn girl either, we just happen to have one!
DeleteShared this post over on Twiiter - what a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and sharing Christina :)
DeleteThat's cool. I didn't know such a program existed. Quite frankly, I thought the shelter would see "living in a barn and fending for themselves" as an irresponsible practice bordering on animal abuse. Glad to see they are still open-minded so kitties who aren't people kitties can still have a wonderful life.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there are some who might still think that way. The shelters of course encourage the people to still feed their cats on a daily basis and continue providing them with medical care. So they aren't completely on their own.
DeleteThat sounds like a good idea! Now I want a barn too! :)
ReplyDelete