Last Hope Fast Fact

Where do some farm cats come from?

The answer to this question is part of the solution when dealing with cats that can not be trained to use their litter box. In another article entitled - What is the most common reason for a cat being surrendered? We found that cats that urinate outside their litter boxes present huge problems for owners and their homes.

Experts tell us

Sometimes cats cannot be trained to stop urinating in the house. The sad reality is that these cats are impossible to place. Last Hope looks for farmers who need cats to keep down the rodent population. Hundreds of cats face euthanasia unless they can be placed on a healthy farm.

other reasons that cats are surrendered and end up on farms is biting, lack or socialization, behavior problems and over-population.

On farms cats create colonies and maintain contact with humans for food and shelter. It is a misconception to think that farm cats should not be fed and then they will hunt better.

On the contrary, farm cats cannot live a healthy life on vermin catches alone and an unhealthy, malnutritioned cat can become ill, weak and unable to hunt. Therefore it is important to give cats in your care regular food. It has also been shown that a well-fed cat actually hunts more because it also will hunt for fun. Cats that live on farms can be mildly domesticated or feral, wild.

Farm cats need a warm, safe shelter. Farm cats will often make themselves a sleeping area in a warm barn or out house. It also a good idea to have a permanent food and clean water station close by to build up a feeding routine; this will help you gain the cats trust and if you build up a routine any break from it will alert you immediately should any of the cats need assistance or are missing etc.

It is imperative for the health of the colony that animals be spayed and neutered. Neutering is important to ensure the colony does not become over populated. It is vital to neuter/spay all the cats and kittens. This requires trapping cats, transporting them to the vets to be neutered and then returned to the farm.

Farm cats should be wormed regularly to keep them healthy. Worming treatment can easily be administered in their food. Many farmers also find they build up a good enough relationship and trust with their farm cats and can administer flea treatment.

Neutered, spayed and wormed cats can be the healthiest and happiest cats. The colony can thrive on a combination of good food, adequate shelter and regular worming and be efficient mousers.