What is a barn cat?
A barn cat lives in a place that requires natural rodent control. This is often on a farm or property owned by a business and could be in a barn or warehouse.
A barn cat’s job is to hunt mice and other rodents to keep them out of the area where they are living.
A barn cat requires cat food, fresh water, a place to eliminate and a place to sleep. They also require ongoing care including regular worming and access to emergency vet care if needed.
A barn cat does not require human interaction and are chosen as their temperaments suit a solitary life away from people.
Where do our barn cats come from?
These are cats that have been living outside in unsafe situations or need to be moved on from where they are. They are not suited to adopting an indoor life as a typical domesticated pet.
Examples:
· A cat living in a drain on a busy road
· A cat living in a warehouse or business but the business is closing/shutting down
· A cat from a hoarding situation
· A cat that has found itself at a clinic/shelter/pound and in imminent danger of being euthanised due to not being friendly
How do you make sure the cat stays at the farm?
Cat are not just released on the farm. They are first set up in large dog crates. The crates have a bed/house, food, water and litter. The crate is put in the hayshed or barn where the farmer would like to cat to stay. It stays there for a period of 3-4 weeks, during which time it learns all the sounds and smells of the shed/barn and the surrounding environment. Then the door to the crate is opened and the cat is allowed free access to the shed/barn.
All cats are also desexed which lessens their chance of roaming.
Are barn cats free?
No, we ask for an adoption price of $150 for each barn cat. The barn cats will be desexed, microchipped and vaccinated. The adoption price will assist us to cover the costs of desexing. In addition to stopping unwanted kittens, desexing significantly reduces the risk of cats roaming.
How do you make sure the cat stays where it is needed most?
The key to success for a barn cat is a slow introduction in to its new environment. As cats are highly territorial, they cannot just be released in to their new home as they will likely run away and not return.
Barn cats are first set up in large dog crates in the cat’s new home. They must be in a sheltered spot inside the barn or warehouse. The crates have a bed, food, water and litter. The cat must stay in the crate for 3-4 weeks, during which time it learns all the sounds and smells of its new territory. Then the door to the crate is opened and the cat is allowed free access to its new home.
What about wildlife?
Barn cats are fed daily with cat food and are therefore not starving. If any wildlife predation is observed then we take the cat back and put it in foster care.