Homes Sought For 40-Plus Barn Cats In Loudoun County

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA—More than 40 so-called barn cats soon will be available for free adoption from Loudoun County Animal Services. Their owners, who live on a Middleburg farm, have been dealing with personal health concerns and decided finding the cats new homes would be best both for them and the felines.

"This group of barn cats will be a balancing act for LCAS staff and volunteers," shelter operations manager Amy Martin said in a statement. "These cats have never been indoors or handled by people, which means coming to the shelter will be a very stressful and frightening experience for them.

"But these are 40 healthy and happy working pets, so we want to find them an outlet where they can survive, thrive and be loved, the way they were in their previous home."

The cats have lived primarily outdoors as mousers, and all of them will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped prior to adoption. Interested adopters should email animals@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0406.

Adopters should be able to provide the cats with daily food, water and shelter from the elements. Because these cats are best suited for outdoor homes, the cats will be free to adopt through the department’s Barn Cat program.

Here's more information about barn cats, provided by the LCAS:

Benefits of a Barn Cat
Adopting a Barn Cat is a winning situation for everyone. Barn Cats benefit their caretakers as much as their Barn Cat benefits from them! By welcoming a barn cat onto your property, you are supporting the safest way to control the rodent population in your barn or business. There are no poisons for children and pets to get into and no need to set nasty rodent traps! Barn Cats will keep rodents away AND you’ll have the satisfaction of giving them a much-needed home.

Each Barn Cat’s adoption is FREE and includes:

• A no-cost adoption fee!
• General physical/wellness exam
• Spay or neuter surgery
• Microchip
• Initial vaccinations
• Initial flea treatment
• Barn cat instructions to help introduce and care for your barn cats

What Does My Barn Cat Need from Me?

• A warm, secure, dry building or space for shelter from the elements and predators
• The space and ability to keep your new barn cat confined to a sheltered, small, enclosed area, stall or large dog crate (with clean litter box, food and water) for up to three weeks to acclimate to their new environment before release
• Daily fresh food and water
• Monitoring and providing for the safety and well-being of the cats
• Vaccinations every three years (by trapping, if necessary) and provide licensed veterinary care in the event of injury or illness

What is the Adoption Fee?
FREE! There is no adoption fee for the adoption of barn cats. Welcoming a new barn cat into your life is payment enough at LCAS.

What’s the Process? Sign me up!
LCAS keeps a list of community members wishing to adopt a barn cat. When LCAS receives a cat that may be a good fit, a staff member will call to let you know that a possible adoption match has been made!

Email us or call 703-777-0406 to place your name on the Barn Cat Wish List! You can also stop by the Animal Shelter to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable customer service staff!

Adoption Requirements:
1. A complete adoption application
2. A home visit may be required to verify the outdoor living conditions are appropriate under the law, including water, food, shelter, etc.
3. A consultation with a staff member regarding the introduction procedure of the cat to the new environment.
4. Rabies vaccinations for any other pet in the home, including barn, outdoor, indoor/outdoor cats at the residence.
5. Your adopted barn cat will be spayed/neutered, distemper and rabies vaccinated, microchipped and will also receive a mandatory ear tip.
6. The cat must have access to adequate shelter, be provided with fresh food and water daily and receive regular veterinary care.

Photo courtesy of Loudoun County Animal Services