Humane Society launches Barn Buddies program for 'adventurous cats'

Aloof, unemployed cats looking for steady work in an agricultural or industrial setting are up for adoption at the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society.

The Barn Buddies Program isn't for your regular house cat, the humane society said in a news release. It's for cats that are natural "mousers" and can't get used to the litter box.

"We match our most aloof, adventurous cats with caring homes that will let them have the freedom they want and a job to keep them busy," the news release reads, in part. "Sometimes Barn Buddies are social cats who just can't get used to the litter box and therefore require a special kind of home or cats who have a high prey drive which can lead to problems in a regular home where they don't have a job."

The humane society regularly takes in cats they say are "unadoptable into a regular home for behaviour reasons," but are healthy and would do well as "a working cat in a barn, warehouse or shop environment."

"Some people might call them 'mousers' or 'rodent managers' because these working cats typically have the skills to keep mice and rats under control," the release reads.

Anyone who adopts a cat is still expected to provide a steady supply of food and water for the days that the hunting doesn't go well; a warm place for the cat to sleep; and future veterinary care when needed. 

All barn buddies are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and vet checked.