Barn Cat Application Form

Important:

By applying, you acknowledge that barn cats still require daily care, including fresh food and water, a safe place to rest, and protection from danger and the elements.

Please read and complete this form if you’re interested in adopting a barn cat through our Working Whiskers Rodent Control Program.

Working Whiskers Rodent Control places feral and semi-feral cats, cats who are not socialized to people and are not suited for traditional indoor homes, into safe, appropriate outdoor environments after they have been fully vetted and sterilized.

These cats require 24/7 access to fresh food, clean water, and safe shelter. They also require patience, understanding, and proper care throughout their lives.

A feral cat is not a cat who deserves any less care, kindness, or respect.

Many of these cats simply never had the opportunity to experience positive human interaction during the critical socialization period when they were young. They may be frightened of people, avoid being touched, or choose to keep their distance, but they are still cats with needs, personalities, and individual quirks.

Being feral does not mean they don't enjoy life. Many still love to play with toys, chase things, enjoy treats, explore their surroundings, and settle into a favourite safe spot. Some may even form trusting relationships with their caregivers over time, even if they never become a traditional house cat.

These cats have often had a difficult start in life. Our goal is not simply to relocate them somewhere and forget about them. Our goal is to give them a safe place where they can live out their lives with food, shelter, veterinary care, protection, and the respect they deserve.

When you take on a Working Whiskers barn cat, you are making a commitment to care for that cat for the rest of their life. They may not greet you at the door or curl up on your lap, but their life still matters, their comfort still matters, and they still deserve to be treated properly.

Please carefully consider the responsibilities of caring for a barn cat before submitting your application.

All barn cats are:

Spayed/neutered
Vaccinated
Dewormed

Barn cats are excellent mousers, helping control and deter rodents. They adapt well to barns, workshops, garages, and can coexist with livestock and other fixed cats.

Transition Requirement:
Cats must be confined in a large crate, enclosed coop, or sealed room for 3–4 weeks minimum to allow them to imprint on their new location. Releasing earlier greatly increases the risk they will leave.

Placement Guidelines:

Minimum adoption: 2 cats (they thrive in groups)
Only feral cats 8 months or older
All cats are fixed, reducing spraying, fighting, and roaming
Adoption Fee: $75 per cat to approved homes
(Actual vetting cost averages $150–$300 per cat)

We just need a few quick questions answered to get started!

Name

First NameLast Name

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityProvince

Postal Code

Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

E-mail

example@example.com

Do you own or rent your property?

If renting, landlord permission is required

Why do you want feral cats?

Please describe the type of building(s) where the cat(s) will be living (check all that apply and provide details):

Activity Level & Environment:

Is the building heated?

If the animal will have access to an unheated building or shelter, please describe how you will ensure they remain warm during our harsh winter conditions and how they will have continuous access to fresh, unfrozen water.

Please describe the daily activity in this space (people, animals, equipment, noise levels, etc.):

Will they have access to outside?

Are you aware of potential predators in your area? (e.g., coyotes, owls) How will you keep these feral cats safe from predators?

Have you had feral cats before?

If yes, what happened to them?

Do you have dogs on the property?

How are they with cats?

How far is the shelter from busy roads?

Are you prepared to provide food and water, even if the cats are hunting?(Working cats cannot survive on hunting alone)

How often will the cat be provided with food and water?

Do you reside on the property?

How often will medical care be provided to the cat? check all that apply

If the cat has long hair, are you willing and able to maintain it where necessary?

Do you prefer male or female cats?

Have you ever lost pets, barn cats, livestock or other animals to predators?

Are there unfixed cats there?

How many cats are you looking for? (Minimum: 2 cats) *We ask that you take at least two, as cats do not place well individually.

What is your current method of rodent control? (e.g., traps, poison—if poison, it must be removed to avoid killing the cats)

For this to be successful, the cats have to undergo a 3-4 week transition period when they arrive at your place, how do you plan to do this:

While some of our feral cats may prefer to stay independent, others can slowly warm up to people over time. We can’t guarantee which way it will go, are you comfortable with a cat potentially becoming more social?

If we do not have any feral cats at the time your application comes in are you willing to be put on a waiting list?

Do you agree to contact TBARS if you can no longer keep your barn cats?

Do you agree that the cats will have access to dry, safe shelter, food and water once released from confinement?

A certain number of feral cats will not remain at their rehoming location once released. Do you agree to keep feeding for several weeks even if you do not see the cat, to determine whether they have actually left the area?