The Barn Cat Project

Because farmers need cats.

When we moved in it was astonishing to find how many mice lived around a farmhouse. Duh, right? But hey, we were baby. We needed help, and the cats were about to cash in their 9th lives. Can you think of a better arrangement than saving these beauties from having their worst day? We couldn’t then, and still can’t now.

If working cats are wrong then we don’t want to be right.

Monster

Her days of mothering kittens may be over, but this Queen of our pride is the diminutive lap cat who loves to hunt. She is usually in our smokehouse, patio, or roaming the fields to check on livestock.

After one pet you know just how silly her moniker is: Monster? You hardly know her!

Captain

The name says it all. Captain arrived in early spring 2016 and decided then and there he was in charge, and really, who are we to argue?

Captain loves sleeping in his hidden beds of straw that are dotted across the outbuildings, and especially he adores to curl up in the Gator. He doesn’t do much hunting anymore but still rules over the other cats with an iron paw—or at least he thinks he does.

Trouble

And you thought the name Monster sounded rough! Trouble is the big cat with the tiny meow, but don’t let his adorableness fool you—he’s quite a hunter. His favorite snacks are the large field mice that tempt fate nearer the house. Sometimes he brings us large portions of their remains, sometimes…not. I’ll spare the finer details.

Trouble hangs out in the furthest barn in the winter months, but reports for duty every morning at their feeding time, and gets lots of pats on his head for the effort.

And cats need each other.

And now they’re a team.

Although they arrived almost completely feral from the shelter, these cats acclimated quickly, finding their footing in the soft dirt and padding their way around the barns and outbuildings. Now, they know more than the lay of the land, they know the ins and outs of the farm, many other species like chickens and goats and pigs, and live naturally with the ebb and flow of the seasons. Their natural game is supplemented with kibble, and they have access plenty of soft, warm beds in cosy, old barns where they can bed down.

Their favorite spots, however, are always to be snug in our laps. And they get no arguments about it either.

Willie Star

AKA Willie, this dude is the Bam-Bam of the bunch. Our best hunter by far, Willie can be found ABSOLUTELY ANYWHERE, as long as he is near his humans when they are outside. Want to go for a walk? Sure, he’ll come along. Unloading your groceries? Willie will actually knock the bag out of the car. Toddler-esque, his antics are endearing and will always have a place here, even if he sneaks in a visitor’s car and gets driven away.

Evie

Named after her rescue spot—Everett Street, Philadelphia—Evie is the fiery gal who lives life on her own terms. Generally, she prefers to stay indoors, but when she goes outside she STAYS outside, and brings mouse after mouse after mouse to the front porch to dine with.

She is a lap cat through and through, and her mainstay is the basement and main floor of the house, where she can keep a tight perimeter and still have the benefit of interacting with her humans. Her favorite spot is a sunny window, or a sunny porch—the better to warm her fluffy fur.

Heidi

What’s new pussycat!

Heidi, a more recent import, is our only 100% inside cat. Between her extreme floofiness and diva-esque demeanor it’s no surprise, that when she wants something she gets her way.

Heidi can generally be found in our bedrooms or the attic, patrolling the eaves and leaving fluff tufts wherever she goes. Yeah, I have multiple vacuums.