Whisker’s Workforce: Working Cat Program

When you bring the new cats home, they will need to be confined to an escape-proof room or enclosure like a tack room, garage, coop, or XXL dog crate for 2-4 weeks while they acclimate to their new surroundings. You will feed/water and clean the litter pan daily during the confinement period. After this period of confinement, the cats will usually accept their new home and may be released. You will continue to provide daily food and water and allow them access to shelter such as your barn or garage.

Yes. All WW cats come spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and  treated for worms and fleas.

Any cat you adopt from PAGO will be current on vaccinations. Following adoption, you will be responsible for keeping the animals’ vaccinations up to date. The best way to have feral cats vaccinated is with the use of a live humane trap, such as a Havahart or Tru-Catch. You can make appointments through your vet or at one of Pet Alliance’s low-cost vet clinics.

No; the cats in the WW program are not social, friendly cats or suited to be pets. They have no desire to be “lap cats” and cannot be touched, or may take a very long time to trust enough to pet. We strongly encourage adopters to offer cats in this program an independent outdoor life complemented by appropriate care and shelter like a barn or garage.

The youngest cats in the Whisker’s Workforce are approximately six months old. PAGO will not adopt younger kittens as barn cats, as they don’t yet have the knowledge, size, or skills to remain safe outdoors. Most cats in the WW program are young adults between one and five years of age. If you have an age preference, just let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you!

The cats require shelter in a permanent building or structure like a barn, shed, stable, or garage in a suitable rural area where they will be safe. The property should be at least .5 miles away from busy roads. Daily food and water must be provided, as well as any future medical care needed. The cats must also be kept confined for the initial 2-4 week relocation period to ensure a successful transition to their new home.

When you are scheduled to adopt, PAGO will select  cats for you based on which cats are the most eager to enter a cat carrier for us. If you have a color, age, or gender preference, we will do our best to accommodate you, though we’re not able to make any promises! All WW adoptions are scheduled by appointment since it can take some time and extra staff to round the kitties up.