Earlier this year my barn was "adopted" by a very sweet friendly cat. Before I had a chance to spay her she produced 6 beautiful, healthy kittens. These kittens were kept in the barn office so they were well socialized, litter trained etc. and had the best chance of becoming loving family pets but I needed help finding them good homes. By chance we were in Pet Value buying food for our house cats and talked to the young man working there. He gave me Barb( the kitten lady's) phone number. One call to Barb and the next day Barb brought Frances, the foster lady to meet and check the kittens and give Mama her shots.
A few weeks after the kittens were fostered and Sylvie spayed ( I adopted her). I was asked if my barn could accommodate a neutered male cat that had not done well as an indoor cat so Stanley came to live in the barn. He was not happy indoors and needed his space so I agreed to take him on trial. He's with me to stay now.
At first Sylvie tormented poor Stanley but now they are best friends. There is still some competitions for lap time but the two are seldom seen apart. When I go to do chores, I am met by two black sentries who escort me around and make sure I'm doing things right. When pickers came to the farm these cats took the opportunity to get extra cuddles.
Now barn life may not be a perfect life but these cats love it. The barn is 200 ft long, they have their own room, a cat door so they are safe from predators, soft wooly sheep they can curl up on. a heated crate, parasite control etc. Everything a cat could want. They spend most of their time patrolling the barn, checking the lambs and inspecting the chickens. These two are the welcome committee for any visitors and get lots of cuddles and lap time. They also get to be hunters. They accept our working Border Collies but stay away well away from other dogs and have even learned to stay in the fenced area unless out with me. It is not unusual for them to escort me and the sheep to pasture and sit with me while the sheep graze. What a life!!!!
The best rodent control in any barn is a neutered cat. Kittens can spread disease but seldom do fixed adults. They are loving, loved and cherished, at least these two are.
Many thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteer network at the UCHS. They recognized the needs of these cats and have made the best arrangements for them and I am the lucky recipient of their knowledge. Many thanks. Lene Band
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