How does a barn apply for a Shelter Me, Inc. barn cat?
The best way to apply for a barn cat is to provide the following information via email to Sandy@Sheltermeinc.org
Your name
Your address
Your phone number
Please describe the barn and property (Do you have a center aisle, tack room, loft?)
If you do not have a conventional barn, can you please send us a photograph?
The number and type of farm animals you have
Do you have dogs (what kind? how many?)
Are outdoor cats are already established on the property (if yes, what sexes, age and number)
Has your area had difficulty with predators? Fisher cats? Coyotes?
Where would the barn cats be acclimated and where they would shelter in the winter
Who will care for the cats?
Some facts we would like you to know:
The ‘unadoptable’ cats that we place in barns are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, test double-negative for FIV/FELV.
The veterinary costs associated with the barn cats exceed more than $100 and are typically paid for by the nonprofit groups that provide the cats to us. Shelter Me, Inc. identifies potential barn cats for each respective situation, delivers them and invests in additional costs for cages and other supplies. Although contributions are not required, a minimum donation of $100 is suggested.
All contributions to Shelter Me, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue organization recognized by the IRS, are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.
Q&A about the Barn Cat Program Acclimating barn cats- Keeping cats warm in winter - Providing raccoon proof feeding - items to purchase for the acclimation cage for the barn cats
admin on August 5th 2010 in How to apply for a Shelter Me Inc Barn Cat, How to apply for a Shelter Me inc Barn Cat
Louise Erskine said on 24 Sep 2010 at 2:51 pm #
Hi I recently lost my older barn cat to cancer ( Tim on the website) a rescue from Sterling Animal Shelter. I have a barn and 200 acres with 6 sheep and 12 Highland Cattle. I currently have one cat - Nancy also a rescue from Sterling who is 50% house cat. Nancy will be shy around a new cat for a while but will then settle in, she can disapear like magic until she feels comfortable. ( they have pet doors to the garage, basement and breezeway which is heated- Nancy does not like to be picked up but you can pet her and she LOVES the wood stove in the winter) I also have a 8 yr young border collie rescue from Glenhighland Farm in Morris NY. Stan is a sweety and thinks that the cats are great for staring at and hoping he can herd them somewhere.
Tim was a big boy and ended up being very friendly after a few years. I would take two cats and use Holden Vet clinic in Holden MA Dr Friend if you need a reference. My address is 41 Brooks Road in Paxton MA. I have a 6 stall equipment shed, a studio and a saw mill by the house. It is a paved road but we own on both sides of the street. I have not had too many fisher cat or other issues- I do seem to have a very health bunny population this year.(we have the pet doors set up so larger varmints can not get into the heated areas) My 88 yr old dad lives with me and there is usually someone here during the day as I run my business out of the house.
There is a 3 story traditional barn on another area of the farm where the cows are in the winter. The land is in Chapter 61 A and Forestry restrictions.
I will be traveling out of the country from the 29th until the 14th. My email is erskine.real.estate@juno.com
Louise Erskine