Barn Cats

Who are Barn Cats?

Cats in our Barn Cat program fall into one of two categories:

  • Cats who are social but too feisty in interactions with people here at Dakin.
  • Cats who are shy or fearful of people, and who prefer the company of other cats and animals.

Please note, we do not adopt cats who are suitable to be household companions to barns, only those cats without other options.

You can change the life of a cat in need

You can help a cat who has nowhere else to go. If you have a working barn or other structure, there are cats who need you! Having a barn cat will help keep down the rodent population. The cats will be helping you, while you provide them a safe place to live. And, because these cats are already spayed or neutered, you won't have to worry about litters of kittens appearing!

Where can a barn cat go to work for you?  Here are some examples:

Barns

Stables

Garages

Outbuildings

Warehouses

Wineries

Breweries

What We Provide

We spay or neuter and vaccinate all of our barn cats. At the time of adoption, we will go over with you how to acclimate your new cat to their new setting.

What You Provide

  • Shelter in a barn, garage, warehouse, outbuilding, stable, warehouse, winery or brewery.
  • Daily food and water (cats cannot live on mice alone).
  • Long-term veterinary care.
  • A secure place to keep the cat for the first couple of weeks while she acclimates to her new setting. This should be an enclosure like a tack or feed room. We can loan you an introduction cage if you need one.
  • If you are adopting a barn/working cat during the months of October through April, you will need to provide a heated area (or Dakin will provide an appropriate winter shelter structure for them to sleep in) until the cold months are over. Next winter the cat will grow a winter coat and will not require a heat source, although they always appreciate one. If you adopt a barn cat/working cat during the spring/summer/early fall, your cat will naturally grow a heavy winter coat as the cold weather approaches.

Adopting a Barn Cat

Each barn cat's adoption fee ($50) helps Dakin cover the cost of care and any needed medical treatment during their stay in the shelter. Since many barn cats thrive in the company of other cats, we offer a discounted adoption fee ($75) when you adopt two barn cats together.