Barn & Business Cats
Barn and Business Cats
Barn and business cats are undersocialized cats that prefer their own space. They are not suitable as house pets and thrive in larger or outdoor spaces, such as barns, workshops, warehouses, etc. They are great for getting rid of rodents, providing companionship for horses and other farm animals, and can live out their lives in relative security and comfort.
Adoption Details
Adopters must provide:
- Space for the cat to adjust to their new environment
- Food and clean water every day
- A safe shelter that protects them from the elements
- Medical care when needed
All barn and business cats are spayed/neutered and ear-tipped. Ear tipping is a common and humane procedure where the tip of one of the ears is removed. Tipping of the cat’s ear is dependent on their sex. Girls are tipped on the right and boys on the left. This universally symbolizes that the cat does not live in a home and is sterilized. The procedure is done during the cat’s spay and neuter surgery while under anesthesia.
These cats are available for a low price of $20 and are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and treated for parasites. A municipal pet license may be required.
Post-Adoption Care
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Adjustment Period
Be sure to give your barn and business cat 2-3 weeks to adjust to their new environment. This time allows the cat to get to know where their food, water, and shelter are. Give them a secure space of their own during this time before letting them roam. A large dog kennel or crate can be used.
The space should include:
- Bedding (such as blankets or towels)
- A litter box
- Food and water daily
- Proper ventilation
Please be sure to make adjustments to their space as needed to accommodate for weather and temperature. After the 2-3 week adjustment period, let the cat roam the property on a day when there is good weather and when it’s not too busy or noisy.
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Introduction to Other Animals
If there are other animals on the property, it’s important to give them time to adjust to one another. Given time and space, cats will slowly adjust and get used to other animals. If there are other cats on the property, let them find their place amongst each other on their own. The occasional tiff or noise is usually normal behavior and is just their way of working out their social order.
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Veterinary Care
Just like house pets, barn and business cats also need their regular veterinary check-ups. Depending on your cat’s behavior and interactions with people, you might be able to simply put them in a carrier to transport them. Otherwise, you might need to live trap your cat.
Trapping tips and tricks:
- Place the trap near where they are normally fed.
- Put some food near the entrance and gradually move it further into the trap each day.
- Be sure to cover the trap with a towel or blanket to make it feel secure.
Ready to Adopt?
Print and fill out our Business Cat Adoption Application, then bring it with you to the shelter—we’d love to help you find the perfect working cat! Be sure to also bring a hard-sided carrier with you, as you’ll need one to safely take your new cat home.
Have questions about the adoption process, setup, or what to expect before or after bringing home a barn/business cat?
Email us at [email protected] —we’re happy to help!
