Shelter is important because cats need a warm, dry place to sleep when they are not busy decimating your rodent population. These do not have to be perfect housing from a human point of view, just suitable for felines. Good places are a barn with hayloft, any protected outbuilding, a dairy, or even a covered porch. Cat colonies will naturally tend to divide themselves into their own “territories” anyway. Just be careful that in very severe weather (bitter cold or snow) they have a warm place to gather. In extreme cases, opening up the garage and inviting in the cats can be a good strategy. Other temporary shelters can be made from wooden crates or old boxes stuffed with worn out wool clothing. Because cats are small animals, providing cozy areas of warmth to snuggle in may be more effective than trying to heat a larger area.
Cats that have good shelter will be less likely to become ill and more likely to recover quickly and completely. They will also be better-rested and hence more effective hunters. And many of the areas cats prefer for sleeping, such as haylofts, are places where vermin deterrence is most needed.
Affection
It’s possible to domesticate adult feral cats. I know, because I have done it. But it’s a very long and tedious process that most farmers won’t have time for. However, almost anyone can tame feral cats. That’s because almost anyone can feed them every day, talk softly while putting down their food bowls, and allow them to feel safe enough to come near. As the weeks go by, some of the cats will become braver and will walk right up to their food source to express their gratitude by rubbing and purring. A few more will ask to be petted and be happy to have their new friend sit down after dinner. If there are kittens, they will often be the first to investigate the large animal on two legs, even if their mother runs behind the hay bale. If you inherited a colony of semi-wild cats, it is worth doing this. Even if you have just inherited the scruffiest, mangiest barn cats you have ever seen, because many of them will come to love you. And cats who love you (even if you only like them) will be easier to catch and treat for illness, injuries, and birth control operations. Over time the health and size of your colony will become more manageable, healthier, and happier. Happy cats = Improved vermin control.
In ages past, a farmer’s children were the traditional tamers of young barn kittens. And they can be very useful to help fully domesticate formally feral barn cat babies. Older children that is, below the age of seven they are too likely to get hurt or hurt the kittens, unless strictly supervised by adults. But kittens themselves, love to play and sense a kinship with these human “kittens.” And if you don’t have any human kittens around, you can imitate them by pulling strings, tossing tiny balls, and playing other games to lure hesitant baby felines. Being hunters, young kittens will enjoy pouncing on a string, which you can pull closer and closer to yourself. After a while they will leap on you (or your child) and then you can begin to pet them. Let the kitten (or older cat) tell you how much attention it can handle at first. In fact, the same techniques work for older cats, except they tend to be much more nervous and taming them is better left to patient adults or teenagers. Cats are more likely to do real damage if they are frightened. A mother cat will watch her kittens if children are playing with them and call them away if it upsets her. Again, children must be old enough to understand that they have to allow this to happen before they become junior “Cat Whisperers.” But it’s a great way for children to learn empathy with animals, enjoy themselves and do a useful farm job; all at the same time. Children can also learn to feed the cats, but if you have a large number of cats you will want to make sure the child is not overwhelmed by the experience.
If you follow these five basic items, your reward will be: a stable, non-feral, healthy barn cat colony of friendly working moggies (non-purebred cats to US readers), well fed and well "paid.” If you show them affection, you also get animals whose company you and your family can enjoy. This will also make retirement easier if a cat becomes too old or frail to “work” outside. An old, but friendly cat is much easier to retire to your own kitchen or that of a friend. A warm stove, a comfy basket and a catnip mouse are all great rewards for service well rendered. And even a “retired” cat will keep the mice out of the house, both by catching those it can and by frightening them away with the smell of cat.
These five steps are intended to be a basic starting point for your barn cat adventure. As these web pages are expanded, they will include many of the FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) that The Barn Cat Lady encounters over and over again. Stay Tuned for more pages as this site is expanded.
CopyWrite Melodi Lammond-Grundy May 1, 2004
The Barn Cat Lady is one of the Many Lives of Disaster Cat
