Network Member Profile (3rd quarter):
OHIO BARN CAT PLACEMENT
The mission of Ohio Barn Cat Placement is to secure safe havens for unadoptable cats. Many of the cats they place are pulled from shelters with high euthanasia rates or are rescued from unsafe conditions outdoors. The group solicits barns, nurseries, shops, and businesses in need of rodent control. Once a suitable destination is found, spayed or neutered cats (typically two per location) are delivered to the barn or other sites where the felines will work deterring rodents in exchange for food and shelter. The cats are supplied and brought to their new homes by shelter volunteers, TNR group members, or individual colony caretakers who agree to sterilize and deliver the cats prior to being approved for the program.
Since its inception in April of this year, the program has been a great success. Ohio Barn Cat Placement has relocated roughly 120 cats to barn settings in five months. Once on-site, but before being put to work, cats are contained for a minimum of two weeks to allow for adjustment to their new surroundings. If not already available on site, dog crates are supplied to house the cats until they become acclimated to their new home.
According to Kayleen Lee, the group’s co-administrator, “The cats get a safe place to live and the barns receive spayed or neutered cats free of charge, or for a donation–if they choose to make one. It is really a win-win for all parties involved. And, it feels great to be a part of a group of people who are compassionate about improving the lives of feral cats.”
The group often receives photos from satisfied clients of happy cats in their new surroundings (like the picture below of ‘Syrup’ who announces that he is hungry by sitting in his food storage container).
Interested parties can contact the Ohio Barn Cat Placement Facebook page, or email Kayleen (kayleen1966@yahoo.com), or call Linda Muck at 740-343-9862 or Kayleen at 419-706-5332.
