BARN/GARDEN CAT PROGRAM:
Barn Cats are part of good stable management.
Since its founding in early 2008, Alley Cats and Angels
has placed over 250 spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and
ear-cropped cats in barn/garden homes in locations, including
(but not limited to) Bahama, Chapel Hill, Garner, Henderson,
Hillsborough, Liberty, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount,
Selma, Warrenton, Youngsville, and Zebulon. Many of our
current barn cat owners have requested additional cats from us
for their secondary barns and/or have referred other barn
owners to us. We have received very positive feedback in terms
of reduced rodent and snake problems from the rural homes
and farms that have adopted barn cats from Alley Cats and Angels.
Cats that are placed into our barn/garden cat program typically fall in the following main categories.
- Cats who are shy/fearful of people and prefer the company of other cats and animals (feral, semi-feral cats)
- Cats whose litter box habits are not consistent enough to be inside only cats
All of these cats typically prefer the freedom of a “working life” in a rural area to a comfortable lap in suburbia. Through our barn/garden cat program, we are able to give these cats a second chance at a safe and happy life. We will not place cats as barn cats if they are best suited to be house pets and we will not place kittens under six months old as barn cats. A minimum of two cats must be placed at the same location at the same time.
Filling out the barn/garden cat application is the first step in the process. It helps us evaluate your property and our current list of cats needing barn/garden homes to determine the best fit. For example, feral cats will typically not stay around a busy boarding stable and typically will not want attention, but a somewhat friendly cat not suited to indoor only life would typically do well at a high activity level barn where it will receive attention.
Benefits of Having Barn/Garden Cats
Supporting a barn/garden cat is a safe and inexpensive way to control the rodent population. There are no poisons for children and pets to get into and no need to set nasty traps. This environmentally friendly pest control saves you money and prevents the horses, livestock, and dogs from being accidentally poisoned. You will most likely enjoy watching the cats, learning their habits, and communicating with them. It can be tremendously satisfying to know you have saved their lives by giving them their much-needed home. Many people appreciate the cats themselves as well as the work the cats do – keeping rodents away from electrical wires, motor homes, hay, and many other things.
What is the cost of adoption barn/garden cats?
This is a FREE service; however, donations are greatly appreciated to help cover the cost of their veterinary care and fund our barn cat program. All donations are tax deductible
Barn/Garden Cat Owner Responsibilities:
- Provide a warm, secure, dry barn or building in which the cats can live out their lives.
- Provide the commitment and be able to keep the cats confined to a large cage for approximately three weeks to acclimate them to their new environment before release.
- Provide a daily supply of dry food and fresh water – during confinement and after release.
- Monitor and provide for the safety and well-being of the cats as their caretakers.
- Spend time daily making verbal contact, before release and after, with the cats so that they become familiar with you.
- Provide licensed veterinary care in the event of a severe injury or illness.
Alley Cats and Angels Responsibilities:
- Provide spayed/neutered and vaccinated cats who have been ear-tipped.
- Provide all equipment necessary for the confinement period: secure extra-large cage for confinement of barn cats for up to three weeks, food/water dishes for the cage, carrier for inside the cage for cats to hide in, litter box, etc.
- Deliver and set up the cats in their new environment and provide detailed instructions on safely confining, releasing, and maintaining the barn cats. We will work with you to determine the best location for the crate.