Barn Cat Care

[GDK122]

Hi all,

First time poster here (my first tractor arrives next week) and I am hoping the community can help me out with a question.

I purchased a small property in Ontario, Canada around 18 months ago to use - for now at least - as a weekend property. There are two very old barns on the site. Since owning it, I have seen a few cats wandering around that I suspect live in one of the barns. The barn is in pretty rough shape though, so I don't tend to spend time in it. And I seldom see the same cat for more than a few weeks at a time, but after a while another one pops up...

To now, I have not done anything to help these cats on the basis that I am not here for long stretches and I don't want them to become reliant on me for food. However, I have recently been wondering if that is the right approach or whether I should be leaving food and water out for them when I am here to tide them over. I have never owned a cat and therefore know little to nothing about caring for them.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[drssg]

If you aren't there, I wouldn't leave food out. It will attract raccoons, skunks, and all sorts of critters. I also agree with not getting them reliant on a food source that won't be available for significant periods of time.

Even if you were there, I would avoid leaving food out overnight, due to the same issue of attracting other animals.

I regularly see cats on our property, and I know that they belong to the neighbor. Some of them roam a lot, and they're not starving.

Congrats on your land purchase, and have fun!

 

[oosik]

Over the 40+ years out here on the property I've had many cats. In the winter I would feed them. Set food and water out on the porch at a specific time each day and for a specific period.

Leaving food and water out - all the time - attracts unwanted animals.

Don't worry - any cats will make a perfectly good shelter in one of your barns.

Barn cats are GOOD. It is your best defense against mice and rats.

 

[Topzide]

You might want to offer water if a source isn't readily available. Maybe scout around for a spring that you could make a small puddle dam for them to have water. I'm with others as a food source, which will make them not hunt the vermin that you don't want. When the temps do drop, as others have suggested, food in certain spot for certain time is best option to help them through. They'll pay you back by keeping critters out of your tractor and other items. It's a good symbiotic relationship to develop!

 

[Quaffer]

I agree on offering water. A humane thing to do.

 

[grsthegreat]

We always end up with a barn cat. We have cat door in tack room and leave food and water.

The average american family (before woke) consisted of a man and wife, 2 kids a dog and the neighbors cat.

 

[newbury]

and the neighbors cat.

I like that part

 

[GDK122]

Thanks for all the good advice. I put some water out for it in the old barn for the last couple of days based on the recommendations. I am sure it is welcome in this heat.


Have a great day!

 

[QRTRHRS]

IMHO. The best thing that you can do for a barn cat is to catch it with a Have-A-Heart or similar trap and have it sprayed or nuetered then release it back to the barn. Rabies shots won't hurt either.

I am lucky to have a rescue group that will pay for desexing strays.

 

[scootr]

I take in feral cats, spayed, and vaccinated by the Humane Society. They live in my barn or under the container but they all come in for dry food and water when they need it. They have ended my rodent problems. And a little dry food and water is a cheap price to pay. Don't be afraid to feed them some. It's a rough life at best.
But it beats the alternative.