Barn Cats

We may have the perfect cat for your barn, outbuilding, or stable!

Provide a special cat with a safe and comfortable place to live, food and water. They will return the favor by keeping the rodent population down.

Barn Cat Program: How It Works

Love Your Feral Felines is looking for cat lovers who have a barn or other secure outdoor structure and are interested in adopting cats that are not suitable for life inside of a house or are unhappy living inside. Cat temperaments range from feral to friendly. This program is designed to find homes for cats that have traditionally been deemed un-adoptable through local shelters adoption procedures.

If you would like to adopt one of our barn cats, please fill out the barn cat inquiry and someone will be in contact with you shortly.

Barn cats benefit their caretakers

Supporting a barn cat is the safest way to control the rodent population in your barn. There are no poisons for children and pets to get into and no need to set nasty traps. They will help keep rodents away from grain and food storage areas, and you’ll enjoy watching the cats as well as have the satisfaction of giving them a much-needed home! Consider adopting a barn cat. We will assist you while the cats settle into their new home.

Recommended reading: Safe Relocation of Feral Cats

Due to the nature of the program, we may not have suitable cats available immediately but will try to fill your request as soon as possible. We will maintain a waiting list, as the number of cats available as candidates for the Barn Cat Program fluctuate. Filling out an application is the first step to adopting. A LYFF volunteer will contact you to go over the application process.

Cats that are placed into our Barn Cat Program fall under three main categories:

  1. Cats whose litter box habits are not consistent enough to be inside only cats and/or who have lived or spent time outside per their previous owner
  2. Cats who were found as strays and who may be too independent to appreciate living in a house
  3. Cats who are shy/fearful of people and prefer the company of other cats and animals

We will not place cats who are best suited to be house pets as barn cats and we won’t place kittens under age 6 months as barn cats, unless they are feral/semi-feral without hope of becoming socialized (this may be waived on a case by case basis). A minimum of TWO cats must be placed at the same location at the same time. We will determine if the cats can peacefully co-exist prior to placement.

What Will You Provide?

  • A warm, secure, dry barn or building in which the cats can live out their lives
  • The commitment and ability to keep the cats confined to a crate or exercise pen with a wire top for  four to five weeks to acclimate them to their new environment before release
  • A clean litter box that is scooped and/or cleaned daily while confined
  • A constant supply of dry food and fresh water. While confined and for a short while after release, you will provide a small amount of canned food daily. What cat can resist that?
  • Monitoring and providing for the safety and well-being of the cats as their caretakers
  • Spending time daily making verbal contact with the cats so that they become familiar with you

What will LYFF provide?

  • All cats will be spayed or neutered prior to placement
  • All cats will be vaccinated against FVRCP & Rabies
  • All cats will be ear-tipped
  • LYFF will provide detailed instructions on safely confining, releasing and maintaining the barn cats

What is the Adoption Fee?

Although Love Your Feral Felines does not charge an adoption fee for barn cats, we are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that relies on your monetary contributions to operate. Your generous donation helps pay for spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations (and other medical treatment if necessary), Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), ear tipping, and much more! We request a $40 donation per cat, but any contribution you can make is much appreciated!

Why two cats?

Alley Cat Allies recommends that at least two cats always be moved together. They should be cats who have formed a bond or at least get along with each other. The move will be less traumatic and adjustment to their new home easier if they have the security of one or more trusted companions.

Why do they have to be confined for the first 4-5 weeks?

Cats need to be confined initially in their new home for at least four to five weeks in order to familiarize the cats with their new environment, so that they will remain on the premises. Even though there are instances of cats remaining when they have escaped upon arrival, this is rare and most cats will take off, never to be seen again. Other than being dangerous for the cat, this can be traumatic for the caregiver who has usually put a lot of time, energy, money, and care into the cat.

Some people see confinement as cruel, but a short confinement period is a very necessary part of the relocation project. Not confining the cats and having them run off could mean a far worse fate for the cats. You should know that during the first day or two, the cats may struggle to find a way out. Most cats settle down in the crate after a day or two when they realize that no harm will befall them.

How are the cats confined?

The adopter should be equipped with an extra-large dog crate or with a large exercise pen covered with mesh wire (LYFF may be able to provide these supplies free of charge). These items will be returned to LYFF at the end of the four to five week confinement period. The adopter must provide the cats with : a litter box, which needs to be scooped or cleaned daily; dry food and fresh water at all times; and a portion of canned food every day. It is recommended that a portion of the cage/crate be covered with a sheet. This will allow the cats to feel more protected and hidden.

In winter, the small crate should be bedded with thick towels or straw. Additionally, the caregiver may wish to place bales of straw around the enclosure to help maintain warmth for the confined cats. During spells of freezing weather, the caretaker must be sure to give fresh water throughout the day as the cat’s water becomes frozen. There are various devices available to keep water from freezing. We can provide sites where these can be purchased. In summer, proper ventilation is vital to prevent overheating. Cats can and do become overheated.

What happens after the confinement period?

If your cats are in an enclosure (not confined in crates)

Choose a day that you are home all day. Release early in the morning when the sun is up. All you’ll do is open the enclosure door and allow the cats to come out on their own. You’ll leave their enclosure set up exactly same way indefinitely (if this is not possible, leave their setup untouched for 1-2 weeks minimum); it’s their safe zone, and they will continue to come back to that. Continue to feed in the enclosure and then feed in the new area (if applicable). When you release the cats, make sure you continue to give them wet food morning and night. Do not release when it’s raining or the day before or after it’s rained.

If your crates are set up in a barn or other structure that is enclosed

It’s best to close all doors and windows in the barn, open the crate door in the evening, then leave. The cats will want to explore their new surroundings all night, as they are nocturnal. By morning, they will have found good hiding places, although they may prefer the security of their crate. You can ease the transition by continuing to place their food and water in the crate for a few days with the door open. You will need to continue providing daily food and water. After 1-2 days, or when you feel the cats have gotten used to their enclosure/barn with the door closed, you will open the barn/enclosure door early in the morning the following day, and allow the cats to walk out on their own.

Cats are territorial creatures; they will usually maintain a home base once their scent has been established, a continuous food source is provided, and they feel safe.

DO NOT RELEASE IF IT IS RAINING or the POTENTIAL FOR RAIN

Cats find their home by scent and rain will wash it away. Waiting one more day will not hurt. Leave the crates up for an additional five days, so the cats can get back in if they want. After the release, we hope they think of that barn as home and decide to stay.

What if the cats don’t like their new home?

They will like the regular food and water you provide (cats cannot live on mousing alone). They may even begin to show affection. The key to success will be your patience while they adapt to the sights, sounds and smells of their new surroundings. Continue to speak softly to them, try hand feeding treats and leave a radio on to help them get used to human talking and singing.

PLEASE NOTE: LOVE YOUR FERAL FELINES DOES NOT TAKE IN FERALS, STRAYS OR OWNER-RELINQUISHED CATS OR KITTENS. WE SOLELY RESCUE CATS FROM OUR APPROVED RESCUE PARTNERS.