Adopt a barn cat

Have industrial or agricultural space that could benefit from some feline friends? Save a homeless kitty by giving him a job!

Giving a home to a “barn cat” is a great way to keep pest populations managed without using messy traps or chemicals harmful to wildlife. As a karma-earning bonus, it gives a feral or semi-feral cat who wouldn’t do well as a housecat a chance at a safe place to call home.

Interested in a cat who takes care of rodents and other pests in your area? Adopt a barn cat for free today!

 
  • The cats require shelter in a permanent building or structure, like a barn, shed, stable, or garage in a suitable rural area where they will be safe. The property should be at least a half mile away from any busy roads.

    Daily food and water must be provided, as well as any future medical care needed.

    The cats must also be kept confined the initial 2-4 week relocation period to ensure a successful transition to their new home.

    We also require that two cats are placed at the same time as barn cats to help each other through the relocation process and provide companionship.

  • The adoption fee is waived!

    You will be responsible for future food, water, shelter, and any necessary ongoing veterinary care.

  • It is very stressful for cats to be relocated to a new home, moreso when they are undersocialized. Having other cats there will help them immensely during the transition process. They are also more likely to stay at your property if they have other cats with them.

    There is no limit to the number of barn cats someone can adopt, so long as they can provide food and medical care for all of the cats.

  • No! The cats in the barn cat program and not social, friendly cats or suited to be house pets. They have no desire to be 'lap cats' and likely cannot be touched.

    We strongly encourage adopters to offer cats in this program an independent outdoor life complemented by appropriate care and shelter like a barn or garage.

    Most cats in the barn cat program are between 1-5 years of age. The youngest cats available to be a barn cat are around the six-month mark. Anything younger and we would likely be aiming to socialize them for a home as a family pet. In addition, cats younger than six months of age would not yet have the knowledge, size, or skills to thrive outdoors.

  • These are working animals. Just because you feed them doesn’t mean they won’t hunt. Feeding your barn cats a healthy, nutritious diet not only keeps them in tip-top working shape, but also reaffirms the bond each day between the cat and his/her territory.

    You also don’t want your hunters consuming their catches for safety reasons, e.g. in case one of your neighbors uses rat poison.

  • Yes! All working cats come spayed or neutered, current on vaccinations, and ear-tipped.

  • When you bring the new cats home, they will need to be confined to an escape-proof room or enclosure like a tack room, garage, coop, or XXL dog crate* for 2-4 weeks while they acclimate to their new surroundings. You will give food & water and clean the litter pan daily during the confinement period.

    After this period of confinement, the cats will usually accept their new home and may be released. You will continue to provide daily food and water and allow them access to shelter such as your barn or garage.

    *Good Karma can provide an XXL dog crate and litter pan for the duration of the confinement period for a $50 deposit per crate, which will be refunded upon return of the supplies.

  • We sure hope so! However, it’s impossible to know for sure until they’re released.

    Occasionally adopters will put a lot of effort into their preparations and care, only to have a feral cat leave shortly after release.

    If, upon release, one of your barn cats doesn’t stick around, we will place another feral/semi-feral shelter cat with you and hope for success the next time!

  • The first step is to fill out an application.

    You’ll then hear from someone on our cat team to get the adoption process rolling!