Barn Buddies
AARCS often rescues cats that are not happy living in homes as companion pets but would make wonderful barn cats. We rescue cats from all over the province, including rural communities, strays on the street of towns and cities, high-kill shelters and, on occasion, cats re-homed by their guardians.
After an assessment period, cats are placed either into the regular cat program or into the Barn Buddies program. Some cats, with time, will graduate from Barn Buddies to the regular cat program. When categorized as a barn cat, AARCS then looks for property owners needing a few cats to patrol their nice warm barns.
We are looking for cat lovers interested in adopting our cats that are not suitable for life inside of a house or are unhappy living indoors. Adopters must have a heated barn or other secure outdoor structure (shop, warehouse, etc.) for the cats to call home, as well as provide fresh food and water. Cat temperaments range from feral/semi-feral to friendly.
This program is designed to find homes for cats that have traditionally been deemed ‘unadoptable’. AARCS believes there is a home out there for each animal, based on their specific needs and personalities.
How to Adopt a Barn Cat
- Fill out a Barn Cat Adoption Application
- Once an application is reviewed, our team will get in touch to discuss further.
- When we have cats suitable for you, we will arrange the adoption.
What AARCS Provides
- All cats will be in good health and have had a brief, general exam from a vet.
- All cats will be spayed/neutered and tattooed or microchipped prior to placement.
- All cats will be vaccinated prior to adoption.
Due to the nature of the program, we may not have suitable cats available immediately but will try to fill your request as soon as possible. We will maintain a waiting list, as the number of cats available as candidates for the Barn Cat Program will fluctuate.
Requirements to Adopt
We do not place cats that are best suited to be house pets and we do not place kittens under the age of four months as barn cats unless they are feral/semi-feral.
The commitment or ability to keep the cat(s) confined indoors in a stall, building or crate for a minimum of 2 weeks to acclimate them to their new environment. This prevents them from immediately running away.
A barn or building for shelter with a heat source or insulated area to sleep.
A constant supply of dry food and fresh water. Don’t worry, they will still hunt! A happy, healthy and fed cat will stick around and do their job.
The willingness to provide veterinary care in the event of a severe injury or illness.
There may be a requirement to place two cats at the same location. This will be based on a case by case basis, dependent on the cats we have in care and their requirements.
As a non-profit organization, we appreciate a donation to cover the cost of caring for these cats as well as providing spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations and tattoos. Our cost averages $200 per cat, and we suggest a nominal adoption fee of $25-$100.