CCHS Announces Working Cat Hero Program
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Is your workspace under siege by pesky rodents? Maybe it’s time you adopted a Working Cat Hero!
The Chautauqua County Humane Society’s (CCHS) Working Cat Heroes Program puts the spotlight on a special brand of cat. These ambitious felines have more interest in running free in your barn, brewery, warehouse, workshop, winery, shed, or garage, than they do sitting in your lap. A Working Cat Hero prides herself on having the job of targeting and eliminating unwanted intruders like mice. Think of Working Cat Heroes as ecologically-friendly hired help.
If you might be interested in bringing a Working Cat Hero on board, know that all animals who leave CCHS have been spayed or neutered, are up to date on their vaccinations, are microchipped, and have had a dose of flea treatment. Working Cat Heroes will also be ear-tipped, a sign that they have been spayed or neutered.
Cats who are in the Working Cat Hero Program wouldn't be happy living in your home. These cats are better suited for indoor/outdoor living and usually prefer less interaction with people. This program is only for cats that are not suitable to be indoor house pets.
Whether living in your stable, greenhouse, distillery, or other location, your Working Cat Hero will know that he has a warm, dry, and safe place to sleep, access to fresh food and water, and medical care when needed. We generally prefer adopting Working Cat Heroes in sets of at least two or three and there is no adoption fee to be paid when you adopt a Working Cat Hero although donations are always appreciated.
This program is a lifesaver for a number of cats who come to CCHS each year who need a different type of placement. Maybe they don’t reliably use the litter box, are uncomfortable in an enclosed space, or really aren’t all that fond of people. However, we do get reports from working cat adopters that their Hero kitty has gotten friendlier over time.
Those who adopt the barn cats agree to give them:
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Shelter in barns, stables, or other buildings
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Daily food and water -- cats cannot live on mousing alone
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Long-term veterinary care, as needed
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A secure place to keep them for the first 2-3 weeks while they acclimate to the new environment. This can be a tack room or any secure indoor enclosure from which the cats cannot escape. CCHS will lend you an introduction cage if no secure area is available.
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If you are adopting a Working Cat Hero during the months of October through April, you will need to provide a heated area for them to sleep in until the cold months are over. The 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 Working Cat Hero during the spring/summer/early fall, your cat will naturally grow a heavy winter coat as the cold weather approaches.
Not every cat is destined to be a lap cat. Working Cat Heroes prefer having a job and targeting pesky rodents. Think of them as ecologically-friendly hired help!
If you are thinking about bringing a Working Cat Hero to your barn, distillery, workshop, or warehouse, know that all animals that leave the Chautauqua County Humane Society have been spayed/neutered, are up to date on their vaccinations, are microchipped, and have had a dose of flea treatment. They will also be ear-tipped, a sign that they have been spayed/neutered.
Cats who are in the Working Cat Hero Program wouldn't be happy living in your home. These cats have histories and temperaments that are a better fit for indoor/outdoor living and less interaction with people.
Whether living in your stable, winery, shed, garage, or other location, your Working Cat Hero will know that he has a warm, dry, and safe place to sleep, access to fresh food and water, and medical care, if needed. We generally prefer adopting Working Cat Heroes in sets of two or three.
This program is a life-saver for a number of cats who come to CCHS each year who need a different type of placement. Maybe they don’t reliably use the litter box, are uncomfortable in an enclosed space, or really aren’t all that fond of people. However, we do get reports from working cat adopters that their Hero kitty has gotten friendlier over time.
If you have a help wanted sign out for a Working Cat Hero, look no further than the CCHS Working Cat Hero Program.