This document provides guidance on starting a successful barn cat program to place feral and behaviorally challenged cats. Key points include: - Barn cat programs provide a live outcome for cats unable to be returned to their original habitat or adopted traditionally due to being unsocialized or having special needs. - Eligible cats for barn placement are healthy adults unable to be socialized or adopted traditionally. Kittens under 16 weeks and cats with certain conditions require alternative placement. - The document outlines best practices for determining cat temperament, finding suitable homes, housing cats, the relocation process, and follow up to help placements succeed.

1. RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL
BARN CAT PROGRAM
OPTIONS FOR FERAL AND BEHAVIORALLY
CHALLENGED FELINES
Monica Frenden - Austin Pets Alive!
monica.frenden@austinpetsalive.org

2. WHY START A BARN CAT
PROGRAM?
• These cats have no other
live outcome
• Socialization of adult
ferals is extremely difficult
and resource intensive
• Barn cat programs are
inexpensive and easy to
start

3. WHICH CATS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
BARN PLACEMENT?
• Unable to be returned to their original habitat
• Unsuited for traditional adoption
• Healthy
• Capable of life in a managed colony

4. CATS APA! DOES NOT BARN PLACE:
• Kittens under 16 weeks are
sent to foster for
socialization
• FeLV+ cats
• Declawed cats
• Geriatric cats
• However, alternative,
creative placement is always
an option for any cat!

5. DETERMINING TEMPERAMENT:
FERAL OR FRIGHTENED?
• Silent - no meowing
• “Airplane Ears” - low and wide, not perked up
• Disinterest in interactions (the sound of can of food
opening, toys, voices, flinching when touched with a
wand)
• Body position - low and wide, arched up, trying to be
invisible or ready to flee!
• Escape attempts - crate thrashing, bloody noses

7. WHAT TYPES OF HOMES ARE
SUITABLE?
• Farms / Ranches
• Stables
• Warehouses / Factories
• Greenhouses / Nurseries
• Wineries
• Junkyards
• Churches
• Storage facilities
• Shops: Repair shops, woodworking
shops, retail stores

8. ADVERTISING TO FIND GOOD HOMES
• Your website - have an online adoption application
• Newspapers
• Flyers, post them anywhere farmers, animal lovers, or
equestrians might go!
• Craigslist
• Equine clubs, publications, trail rides, and events
• Farmer’s markets, county fairs, horse shows
• Radio

13. LOCATION AND ADOPTER REQUIREMENTS
• Off busy roads
• No recent coyote
predation
• Shelter provided in a
building or structure
• Daily food and water
• Long term vet care, as
needed
• Willingness to confine cats
for the relocation period

14. HOUSING FERALS AT THE SHELTER

15. FERAL CAT DENS
ANIMAL-CARE.COM LIVETRAP.COM
~$75/EA.

16. THE RELOCATION CRATE
and the art of the Hidey Box

17. THE RELOCATION PROCESS
best known practices
• Crate kept inside building/barn where cats will live
• Cats confined for 2 to 4 weeks. (2 weeks is minimum,
4 weeks is optimum)
• Feed cats and clean crate daily, plan for mess!
• Feed canned food daily and make a special ‘call’ to
teach the cats the sound of your voice = food
• At the end of 4 weeks, crate door left nonchalantly
open for the cats to exit at their will.

18. THE WHOLE PROCESS
STEP-BY-STEP, APA! STYLE

19. STEP 1: APPLICATION RECEIVED
Check for obvious red flags & basic suitability

20. STEP 2: GOOGLE MAPS IS YOUR FRIEND!

21. STEP 2: GOOGLE MAPS IS YOUR FRIEND!

22. STEP 3: DETAILED EMAIL IS SENT

23. STEP 4: ADOPTER RESPONDS, WORK
OUT THE DETAILS, SEND KITTIES HOME!

24. STEP 5: FOLLOW UP
APA! follows up
with all barn cat
adoptions at:
1 week
3 months
1 year

25. FAQ
• Adoption fees
• Crate deposits
• Home checks
• Excessive hoop-jumping

26. FAQ
• Adopt all year long
• Adopt cats in pairs
(unless you have a cat-hating singleton)
• Make adoption easy
• Provide the tools for
success

27. WHAT’S KEEPING YOU FROM STARTING A BARN PROGRAM?