Working Cat Adoption Program
A win-win for both our non-traditional house cats and adopters!

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Our working cat program was instituted in 2013 and was designed to help a specific population of cats – those who may not be comfortable living in a traditional home setting, but would be incredibly helpful and happy as working cats to local homeowners, landowners, and businesses who have a need for pest control.

We believe that these cats don’t deserve to die simply because they can’t go into a typical home environment. We recognize that they deserve shelter, access to food and water, and the stimulation of critter hunting that a barn placement provides.

This innovative program serves as their only live path out of impoundment, as these cats cannot be adopted as traditional pets, are not eligible for Trap-Neuter-Return, and, for one reason or another, cannot be returned to their original outdoor habitat, which is always preferable. Without this program, feral cats would be euthanized.

Instead, these cats are sterilized, vaccinated, micro-chipped, and adopted to families who appreciate working cats for critter patrol and can provide a safe, appropriate environment such as a barn, stable, garage, shed, or warehouse. This way, these cats enjoy safe outdoor homes with shelter and a caregiver and adopters enjoy having healthy, sterilized cats happily tend to their mouse, snake, or vermin troubles. Our Working Cat Program is a win-win for both the cats and the adopters! Interested in adopting a working cat and housing some of the Humane Society’s  most lovable free spirits?

Interested? Check out the Working Cat FAQs below, our available Working Cats, and/or complete our Working Cat Adoption Form. If you have any questions, reach out to our Cat Coordinator, Reghan, at rlinneman@petsgohome.org or 608-752-5622 ext. 114.

Available Working Cats
42782132
Cat
Male
Domestic Shorthair/Mix
4 years 6 months
55376861
Cat
Male
Domestic Shorthair/Mix
2 years 6 months
55227349
Cat
Male
Domestic Shorthair/Mix
2 years 1 month
55383954
Cat
Male
Domestic Shorthair/Mix
2 years
Working Cat FAQs

How much does it cost to adopt a working cat?

The adoption fee is waived. You will be responsible for ongoing veterinary care (as necessary), food, water, and shelter.

What do I do when I bring the cats home?

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 1-3 weeks while they acclimate to their new surroundings. You will feed/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.

Are they spayed or neutered?

Yes. All the working cats come spayed or neutered, current on vaccinations, micro-chipped. and treated for worms and fleas.

Do you have any friendly working cats?

No; the cats in the working cat program are not social, friendly cats or suited to be pets. They have no desire to be “lap cats” and cannot be touched, or may take a very long time to trust enough to pet. We strongly encourage adopters to offer cats in this program an independent outdoor life complemented by appropriate care and shelter.

Do you have any working kittens?

Most cats in the barn program are young adults between one and five years of age, though we do have younger and older cats available occasionally. If you have an age preference, just let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you!

What do the working cats require?

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 .5 miles away from busy roads. Daily food and water must be provided, as well as any future medical care needed. The cats must also be kept confined for the initial 1-3 week relocation period to ensure a successful transition to their new home.