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Adopting a Barn Buddy

March 1, 2021
Do you have a barn, farm, or stable, or even just a large piece of land? If so, you may want to consider adopting a barn cat. This can be a win/win situation! Many stray or feral cats are great mousers, who won’t mind dispatching some rodents in exchange for food, shelter, and perhaps the occasional ear scritch. A local Pickerington, OH vet offers some tips on getting a barn kitty in this article.

Benefits

Having barn cats around can be beneficial for both you and the cat. Mice and other rodents may be small, but they can carry dangerous parasites and diseases that can infect livestock. They are also notorious for spoiling grain and chewing through cords, both of which can become very expensive. You may find that your barn cat actually ends up saving you money! As for your feline pal, she’ll be provided with basic necessities, such as food, shelter, and veterinary care. Your other animals may also benefit. Cats sometimes do become buddies with horses, cows, and other farm animals.

Caring For The Kitty

Barn cats are usually pretty self-sufficient, but they aren’t completely independent. You’ll need to provide Fluffy with food, water, and a comfy spot to sleep. Some kitties will be perfectly content snoozing on saddle blankets or bags of grain, but if you don’t have anything like that, you can give your pet a little shelter of her own. Just cut holes into the side of a storage tote, and then add blankets or newspapers. You’ll also need to bring your resident furball to the vet regularly. Vaccinations, parasite control, and microchipping are all very important! Spay or neuter surgery is also a must. Otherwise, you’ll end up with more kitties than you bargained for!

Finding Fluffy

There are many places that you can go to adopt a barn cat. Some animal shelters have programs specifically for barn buddies. Some of these kitties may be strays, while others are feral. Granted, the only difference between stray and feral cats is socialization. Strays have been around humans before, and can actually be very friendly. Many are even former pets. Feral cats, however, are typically much more wary. As your local Pickerington, OH veterinary clinic, we are dedicated to offering great veterinary care. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns about caring for your barn kitty.