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How The Feral Barn Cat Program Works
AVAnimal Rescue is pleased to announce their Barn Cat Placement Program. We are looking for cat lovers who have a barn or other secure outdoor structure that 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 our “normal” adoption procedures. If you have a safe, warm barn and would like to adopt barn cats, please call or fill out and return a Barn Cat Application.  Recommended reading: "Safe Relocation of Feral Cats".

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.

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 will fluctuate. Filling out an  application is the first step to adopting. When we have Barn Cats for you, you will be asked to sign an Adoption Contract.

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

• 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.
• Cats who were found as strays, and who may be too independent to appreciate living in a house.
• 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 4 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 1-2 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.
• The willingness to trap and vaccinate the cats once every three years, and to provide licensed veterinary care in the event of a severe injury or illness.
• Spending time daily making verbal contact with the cats so that they become familiar with you.
  

What will AVAnimal Rescue provide?

• All cats will appear to be in good health and have had a brief, general exam by a vet
• All cats will be leukemia/FIV tested
• All cats will be spayed or neutered prior to placement
• All cats will be vaccinated against FVRCP and rabies
• All cats will be examined and treated for fleas and ear mites prior to placement
• All cats will be ear-tipped
• AVAnimal Rescue will provide a secure extra-large crate or playpen with wire mesh top for confinement of barn cats for up to three weeks. AVAnimal Rescue will also provide smaller, plastic crates to be placed inside the enclosure as a “hiding” place for your barn cat while confined.
• AVAnimal Rescue will deliver and set up the cats in their new environment and will 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 or exercise pen.
  

What is the cost to the adopter?

The adoption fee for two fully vaccinated, spayed, neutered, eartipped cats is $100 (for both).  This does not cover the cost of veterinary care that they have received, but does help to offset a portion of the costs.  You are welcome to make a larger, tax-deductible donation if you would like.

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