Working Cats
Through our TNR efforts we at times come across cats that must be relocated for their safety. Barn cats, also known as working cats, are cats that are not suited for an indoor lifestyle. They are often found around barns, where they spend their days hunting rodents and patrolling the area. Barn cats can be beneficial to the neighborhood, providing natural rodent control. A good hunter can catch up to six mice a day.
What is "Working" or "Barn" Cat?
ACHIN does not believe in the relocation of feral or free-roaming cats. These cats are best left in their own environment. However, in the extreme case when cats are in imminent danger we will put them in our working cat program. Some have live in areas where feeding strays in not allowed, others were caught too late and couldn't be socialized to make suitable pet cats, others find themselves homeless when their homes are often demolished to make way for a new building or they lose their caretakers and we are unable to find a new one.
Our Working Cat program offers an environmentally-safe alternative to poisonous pest controls. It is a mutual companionship program where an individual with a barn or other appropriate shelter can provide a safe home to a cat while receiving the benefit of an animal to monitor the rodent population. These cats are healthy, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped for identification.
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Purrrsonalities
Their temperaments range from feral to friendly. They prefer the freedom of a “working life” and they make great mousers.We can place cats in barns, greenhouses, plant nurseries, horse barns and stables, warehouses, stores, or any business looking for inexpensive and effective rodent control. It needs to be a safe, dry, warm location with a caregiver that provides food, water and proper care.
These cats cannot survive on mousing alone. Adequate food and fresh water must be provided daily.Two working cats are better than one! There are some cats that prefer a one cat home, but for the most part cats like the company of other cats. We have found that an “only cat” becomes a “lonely cat” when it is relocated to a new environment and may leave in search of another place to “hang its hat”. We want the cat to stay in its new home, out of harm’s way, with people that care about the cat.
We work to place at least two cats together that have formed a bond or get along with each other. If a cat comes in alone we try to find placement where there are other cats. The move will be less traumatic and adjustment to their new home is easier if they have the security of a trusted companion.
Caring for a Working Cat
When adopting a Working Cat, you are committing to being its primary caregiver for the rest of its life, providing a warm shelter, food, water, and medical care. Adopters should make a plan for daily care and consider how best to keep a cat safe from dangers, such as heavy machinery, traffic, weather, and predators. All Working Cats are vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped. They will need routine yearly vaccinations, regular flea & tick preventative, and medical care as needed. If you are within 1 hour of the lehigh valley we can assist with future retrapping and medical care access as needed.
