Cats for Hire

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2010-03-27 06:00:00 -0700
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Cats that used to be considered unadoptable are now being considered for employment. Shelters across the country are placing feral and undersocialized cats in barns and businesses looking for rodent control. The San Francisco SPCA says businesses who have participated in their Working Cats Program report that the cats foster repeat customers.

The shelters that run these programs are just as careful about placing their working cats as they are about their regular companion animal adoptions. To avoid unrealistic expectations, the shelters make it clear that they can't vouch for the cats' hunting ability or temperament. The cats are spayed or neutered, and vaccinated. In turn, adopters make a commitment to provide the cats with safe shelter, fresh food and water, and any necessary vet care for life.

It's a win-win situation. The cats are saved from euthanasia. The businesses get the benefits of having animals around. The environment isn't exposed to toxic rodenticides. Many of these placements are contained in warehouses and similar buildings, minimizing the threat to the songbird population. It's even a pretty good deal for rats and mice; while some will become prey, many of them won't take up residence in a building where a cat is present. So, instead of being poisoned or caught in inhumane traps, they have a shot at finding a home where they can meet their life expectancy.

In an interview with the Examiner, Steve Anton, co-owner of Regent's Cab Company in San Francisco talked about the cats he took in about a year ago. The SF/SPCA contacted him when the construction of a new medical facility was going to displace a managed feral cat colony. After a lengthy introduction process, the cats were moved to the cab yard. The cats, who would have lost their lives, are now spoiled by the staff of Regent's. They get plenty of food, and Anton built a fenced in area and bungalows with heating pads for them. He says all the drivers now have a strong bond with the cats; humans and felines alike seem happy with the arrangement.

These programs can take a lot of work. Once appropriate placements are identified, it takes time and patience to acclimate the cats to their new surroundings. While there's definitely an element of companionship, it's a different type of relationship than one with a cat that shares your home. But initiatives like SF/SPCA's Working Cats Program and Humane Society of Huron Valley's Barn Buddies Program in Michigan are great examples of the innovative ways that animal shelters are reaching out to the community to give animals a second chance. It's this type of cooperation and creativity that will help communities achieve their No Kill goals.

Photo credit: aleske

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.
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