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The project aims to find a home for yard cats and other nervous cats that require less human interaction than a typical house cat.
Alice Potter, Cat Protection Officer, said, “Farm cats are often nervous around people but still need someone to provide food, water, shelter and veterinary care when needed. As the name suggests, they would most likely be best suited for a farm. Small farmers or riding stables, but some have even found quirky houses like a model village, an orchard and a pavilion company.
She said potential owners don’t necessarily have to have a farm or riding stables to house a cat who enjoys the outdoors.
On the occasion of International Cat Day this weekend, the RSPCA reveals that it houses over 20,000 cats annually and the work will continue even during the pandemic – 18,274 cats were re-housed in 2020.
A recent survey found that 90 percent of centers and branches find it more difficult to find suitable outdoor homes for cats than other, more sociable cats.
Alice Potter, RSPCA Cat Protection Specialist, said, “One of the most interesting things about cats is how different each of them is. No home fits all cats. The personalities of cats are a varied spectrum from a loving lap cat, an “intermediate cat” that needs less, but still needs some interaction, to a wild cat that will happily live independently of humans.
“There are all sorts of reasons some cats may need this type of lifestyle. They may have lived as strays for a long time and are unfamiliar or uncomfortable around people, or it may be related to their early experiences or genetics, so we try to find the perfect home for them.
“We know that our centers and branches often have difficulty finding homes for our farm or free range cats, and it is often cited as one of the reasons that the public is unaware that these cats exist and that they do living an outdoor lifestyle will be much happier.
“A lot of people think of a cat curled up on the sofa and jumping in and out of the cat flap with excitement, but in fact the cats we’re talking about may never get in, they may never get off Excitement, but they … need someone to take care of them and give them year-round shelter such as a shed, barn, stable, or even a tree house to sleep in at night. They also need constant access to water, have to be fed daily and, if necessary, have to be given veterinary care.
“For this reason, we launched this campaign to relocate farm cats on International Cat Day to raise awareness of the different homes these independent cats need.”
Massey, a male tabby cat, was adopted by Bryn Y Maen in May and his confidence has grown since then. Its owner, Helen Lacey, had a garden cat for years, but when she sadly passed she checked back with the RSPCA center to see if other cats were looking for similar homes. He now sleeps and eats in the shed and hay barn and although he’s still pretty elusive, Helen puts a camera in the shed so she can check on him and he seems very happy with life.
Helen said, “It’s a great life for a cat like Massey, has the freedom to run around, a warm, safe environment away from traffic, and a good supply of food and water.”
Wanda and Glynn are two nervous cats who are currently looking for a perfect home in a barn, yard or small farm. They are both undersocialized cats who are cared for at the RSPCA Bryn Y Maen Animal Center and who find kennel life quite stressful.
Glyn was found an injured stray in June before being rescued, and Wanda was contracted in April due to welfare issues. She was pregnant at the time and gave birth to kittens in RSPCA foster care, but is now ready to be moved herself.
They need a home with lots of land to explore, where they can keep a safe distance from people if they so choose.
Depending on the furnishings and space available, they could live with another cat, dog and children.
If you can offer a shed or barn to one of these lovely cats, please fill out an application form and send an email to brynymaen@rspca.org.uk
Taking in a farm cat gives them a second chance in a home where they can live their best life. It can be really rewarding to see them roam free, doze off in the sun, and explore to your heart’s content.
All cats are in good health, neutered, chipped, vaccinated, if necessary vaccinated and treated against fleas and worms.
The minimum requirement for an adoptor is to provide weatherproof shelter, food, and water at least daily, and to keep an eye on the cat’s health and seek veterinary help if necessary. You will also need access to land to roam and to vegetation such as forests, fields or gardens.
Many RSPCA centers and centers hope not only to find homes for cats that are currently in their care, but also to build a directory of potential adoptive parents so that when a liberty cat comes into their care, they can get them quickly and without resume the stress of incarceration in a kennel.
For more information on adopting a farm cat, please visit: https://www.rspca.org.uk/findapet/rehomeapet/process/rehomeacat/farmcat
A new filter has been added to the RSPCA’s rehoming website to allow potential owners to search for farm cats online
To show your interest in becoming a farm cat adoptive child, contact your nearest center or office.
