Working/Barn Cat Program

In need of a good mouser? Do you have a pest control problem?
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What is our Working Cat Program?

At AFHS, our goal is to find the best live outcome for each animal entering our facility, and sometimes that means through non-traditional placement.

Occasionally, there are cats who enter our facility who are not looking for a comfy couch to sleep on – these cats are looking for a job! They need employers of all types to hire them and put them to work. Our Working Cat Program does just that! Interested “employers” fill out an application to hire a cat to help out wherever they are needed. The best part yet, there is no charge to “hire” one of these cats. Vetting included in the adoption is spay/neuter, ear tip and a rabies vaccine.

Are they spayed/neutered?

Yes, all Working Cats are spayed/neutered, Rabies vaccinated, and ear-tipped.

How much does it cost to adopt a Working Cat?

There is no fee to adopt a barn cat. You will be responsible for ongoing veterinary care (as necessary), food/water, and shelter for your barn cat.

What do I do when I bring the cat home?

Your new cat should be confined to an escape-proof room or enclosure (tack room, garage, coop, large dog crate) for at least a week while they acclimate to their new surroundings.  Your cat should have access to fresh food/water and a litter box (even if the cat will not have a litter box once released) during the confinement period.  Keeping the cat confined during this time allows it to associate the area as its new ‘home base’, and helps to ensure that it will stick around once released.  After releasing your cat, you will then continue to provide fresh food/water daily and allow them access to shelter.

I’m interested in providing shelter for a working/barn cat, what do I do now?

For more information, or to be placed on our ‘Working Cats Wanted‘ List, contact our Cat Care Coordinator at Kim.Sunberg@bcohio.gov.

*Please Note – We do not specifically intake cats to be sent out as working/barn cats. Cats eligible for our Working Cat Program will not be listed under our current adoptable animals. If you are looking to adopt a friendly inside/outside cat, please view a full list of our adoptable cats here, as some of them have lived indoor/outdoor lives previously and will be eligible for adoption into another indoor/outdoor home. Call with questions 513-867-5727 ext. 0.