Our Shed Cat Program

A shed cat, sometimes called a barn cat, is a cat that lives on a rural or other property where there is a need for natural rodent control. This might be a farm, hay shed, barn, stable, warehouse or similar location.

Shed cats can help control rats, mice and other rodents around areas where they may otherwise get into
livestock feed, stored goods or other supplies.

Although shed cats are working cats, they still need proper care and protection.

 

They require:

● good-quality cat food
● access to fresh water
● a suitable place to sleep and shelter
● a suitable place to toilet
● regular worming and other routine care
● access to veterinary treatment, including emergency veterinary care when required.

Shed cats are selected because their temperament makes them more suited to living independently
rather than as indoor companion animals. They do not need, and generally do not seek, regular human
interaction although may become more tolerant of human interaction over time.

Where do our shed cats come from?

YVCR shed cats are generally cats that have been rescued from public areas or, in some cases, private
properties, but have been assessed as unsuitable for life as an indoor pet.

Some are adult female cats that have been rescued with kittens. While their kittens may be young
enough to be socialised and find indoor homes, their mother may not be suited to living as a
domesticated pet. Once her kittens have been adopted and she has been desexed and microchipped, the
shed cat program can provide her with a safe alternative to returning to an uncontrolled environment.

Other cats, both male and female, may simply have lived too long out of doors to settle for an indoor life.

The shed cat program therefore provides another option for suitable cats that are unlikely to be able to
live happily in an indoor home.

Moving a shed cat to its new home

A shed cat should never simply be released into a new property. Cats are territorial animals, and
releasing a cat immediately into unfamiliar surroundings creates a significant risk that it will become
frightened, leave the property and not return. Instead, the cat is gradually introduced to its new
territory.

The settling-in period

The cat is placed in a large dog crate at the location where it will be living. The crate is positioned in a
sheltered area inside the draught-free shed.

The crate contains everything the cat needs, including:

● a comfortable bed or enclosed sleeping area
● food and fresh water
● a litter tray.

The cat remains safely in the crate for approximately 3.5 weeks.

During this time, it becomes familiar with the sights, sounds and smells of its new surroundings. This
helps the cat establish the new property as its territory before it is given access to the wider area.
Once the settling-in period is complete, the crate door is opened and the cat can come and go freely
within its new environment.

Desexing prior to becoming a shed cat is also an important part of the process. As well as preventing
unwanted litters, desexing significantly reduces the likelihood of both male and female cats roaming.
Microchipping is mandatory in NSW and ACT and assists identify the cat if it does roam or stray.

What does a shed cat cost?

YVCR asks for an adoption fee of $50 for each shed cat. If provided, a $100 crate deposit is also payable
and is refunded when the crate is returned to YVCR. Some adopters will have their own suitable
enclosures.

Before placement, shed cats will be:

● desexed
● microchipped
● vaccinated.

The adoption fee helps contribute towards the cost of desexing and preparing the cat for its new home.

What does the property owner need to provide?

The success of a shed cat placement depends on providing a safe and suitable environment and allowing
the cat time to settle.

The property owner is responsible for providing the cat with:

● daily cat food (wet and/or dry)
● fresh water
● suitable shelter inside a draught-free structure such as a shed
● a place to toilet
● ongoing routine care, including worming
● veterinary care when required.

The cat's crate must be located in a secure, sheltered area inside the shed during the settling-in period.

 

What about wildlife?

Shed cats are provided with food every day and are therefore not dependent on hunting for their food.
Keeping them in the shed overnight will also assist with focussing their hunting activities on rodents. If
excessive wildlife predation by a shed cat is observed, YVCR will take the cat back. Our aim is to provide a
suitable working environment for cats while also considering the welfare of local wildlife.

Thank you for providing a safe home for our independent cats!

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Have a look at the cats available below and fill out our application form to make an enquiry.