If you’ve got a rodent problem and want to address it with natural pest control, consider adopting a Barn Cat from Kitsap Humane Society.

The Barn Cat Program is for cats who aren’t a good fit as a pet in a home setting, although many do become friendly with their adopters. Many of these cats are feral, asocial, or simply happiest outdoors. At many shelters across the country, these cats are often euthanized for being “unadoptable” for indoor family life, but at KHS we are committed to finding these cats a lifesaving solution.

Barn Cat adopters provide their cats with a safe, fully enclosed shelter such as a barn, garage, shed, or greenhouse for a period of at least four weeks while the cats get used to their new home. This confinement period ensures that once the cats are allowed to roam on the property, they won’t wander away from their new home. After the confinement period is over, the cats will continue to have access to this shelter to help keep them safe.

Typically, Barn Cats are adopted out in pairs, as they tend to hunt better and remain in their new environment with a companion. However, some Barn Cats prefer to be adopted out on their own, so we are sure to have an appropriate cat for any adopter.

Adopters decide what level of sociability they would prefer to see in their new cats – some cats enjoy attention and handling, while others are more content being left alone. We then match the adopter with the cat or cats that are the best fit for their needs and lifestyle.

All Barn Cats adopted from Kitsap Humane Society are spayed or neutered, receive an ear tip and/or microchip, and receive initial vaccines to help keep them healthy. An ear tip is the universal sign that a cat has been spayed or neutered. That way, if your Barn Cat is spotted by a neighbor or brought into a vet clinic or animal shelter, they can be identified as having been spayed or neutered, without having to be handled for an exam, which can be stressful for the cat.

We ask that our Barn Cat adopters commit to caring for this pet for the rest of his or her life. Barn Cat adopters provide their cats with fresh food and water daily, consistent access to safe shelter, and are committed to keeping up with routine vaccines and providing medical care for the cats if they are sick or injured.

The adoption fee for our Barn Cats is “Pick Your Own Price.” There is no set adoption fee for these cats; instead we ask adopters to make a donation to help offset our costs and help keep this lifesaving program running.

Barn Cat adoptions are first come, first serve and you do not need to make an appointment to pick up Barn Cats. Just visit our shelter any day during our regular adoption hours and our adoption staff will work with you to find the best cat for your needs. When you come in to pick up your Barn Cats, please bring two carriers/crates to transport the cats.  If you do not have carriers, we can loan you two carriers that you can return them to us at your convenience. 

If a Barn Cat seems like the perfect solution to your rodent problem, or you just want a kitty to keep you company while you are out working on your farm or garden, consider adopting a cat through the Barn Cat Program! Applications are available here , or you can stop by our shelter any day to submit an application and see what Barn Cats we have available for adoption.