Working Cat Program
Working cats are community cats - sometimes referred to as feral cats - that have lived their whole life outdoors in a cat colony or as strays. Due to their lack of exposure to humans, they are often skittish and fearful around people and not good candidates for adoption into a home. While these cats are normally returned to their original site after spay/neuter surgery & vaccination, some community cats cannot be returned due to safety or health concerns. Although they aren't viable candidates for adoption, they are excellent options for keeping vermin problems under control in a barn or commercial space. Adopting a working cat is a safe, inexpensive way to control the rodent population while providing a home for a cat who cannot be adopted out to an indoor household.
What kind of care would I need to provide?
Working cats are an excellent, poison-free and safe method for controlling the rodent population in barns, stables, storage facilities, warehouses, greenhouses, nurseries, garden centers, breweries, wineries, churches, auto shops etc.
You would just need to provide the following:
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Provide a warm, secure, dry barn or building to protect them from the elements and predators
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Provide a daily supply of dry food and fresh water
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Commit to keeping the cat confined to a large cage for 6 weeks in their new space before releasing them, so they can acclimate to their new environment
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Monitor the safety and well-being of the cat as their new caretaker
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Provide licensed veterinary care in the event of a severe injury or illness
What's the fee for adopting a working cat?
With just a $20 donation, your working cat would be:
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Spayed or neutered prior to placement
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Vaccinated against FVRCP & Rabies
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Ear-tipped (this indicates that the cat is sterilized)
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Treated for parasites (worms, fleas, ticks)
It is common for adoption fees to be waived for working cats, however a "free pet" is often considered a "disposable pet", where the animal's life has no monetary value. We do not support giving animals away for free, which is why we impose the very modest adoption fee of $20. This donation gets put right back into Moby Kit Rescue's Working Cat Program to support the medical costs of current and future working cats.
Are working cats friendly? Why not adopt them into a home?
Working cats are adult or senior cats that have lived their whole life outdoors with little to no human contact. They generally do not tolerate being handled or touched and might keep themselves hidden, or out of reach from humans as much as possible. Depending on their background, they may tolerate the close presence of humans, but will not seek affection, petting or cuddles from people. They are not aggressive; they are simply uneasy around people. Placing these cats up for adoption into homes might seem like the kind thing to do, but it would instead cause them a great deal of prolonged stress and is not recommended by experts.
Contact Us
Please reach out to us if you would like to learn more about our Working Cats Program.
(844) 662-9548