Got pests?
Let’s talk about working cats!
Did you know we adopt out working cats? We do. Our working cat program gives second chances to cats in need of new outdoor homes.
Adorable little predators for adoption!
Winery dogs get all the attention… but what about winery cats? Working cats – or as they’ve long been known, barn cats (no barn required) – are outdoor cats who are not-quite-feral, but also not a socialized family indoor cat. Their owners feed them and make sure there’s a safe, sheltered place for them to sleep – and in return, they do their kitty-thing, pouncing and stalking and ridding your property of mice and other pests – no nasty chemicals necessary.
Working cats are good for… barns, vineyards, wineries, warehouses, stables, grain handling facilities, greenhouses, garden centers, storage facilities… and more.
Someone to survey their your territory
We aren’t on a mission to bring in feral cats – we have our Cat Management Cooperative which looks out for our local feral cat colonies – but sometimes a cat in our care isn’t snuggly kitty ready to set up camp on your lap.
Cats placed in the Working Cat Program fit into one or more of these categories:
Cats who are social but too feisty interacting with people and thrive by having “work” to do
Cats who are shy or fearful of people and prefer the company of other cats and animals
Cats who are feral or semi-feral
Cats whose litter box habits make them unsuitable to live indoors
The Working Cat Program DOES NOT adopt out cats as working cats if they are suitable to be household companions – these are the rough-and-tumble kitties.
Not quite tame… still, looks adorable rolling around!
We waive adoption fees for working cats, but we do like donations to help cover their veterinary care with us. Your financial responsibility for your working cat is simply… food and shelter.
If you’re interested in adopting a working cat, you need to be able to provide the cat with shelter (from the elements and from predators), food and fresh water at all times (a cat can’t live on mice alone!).
You’ll also need to be ready to help your new working cat settle into their new barn/garage/shed/warehouse home by caring for them in a kennel or crate for the first several days in your care, before setting em’ loose. We’ll give you instructions – basically, let the kitty get familiar with the place, and used to you calling them for dinnertime – so they know this is home, now.
He has someplace sheltered to sleep… still naps outside.
Even though there isn’t a fee, we’re still including all the stuff we normally do with any animal adopted from BMHS. They’re spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots, microchipped, and have a clean bill of health from our veterinary team.
Thinking about adopting a few barn cats together? Fantastic. We’re into it.
Three Stooges livin’ their best life
Because of the nature of these kitties, we don’t have them here all of the time, and when we do, we try to keep them for as little time as possible, since being cooped up at a shelter isn’t their cup of tea. So, here’s how we do things – if you’re interested, fill out our working cat application. We’ll give you a call when we have cats who need you!