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Original poster

Can you rehome a cat to a farm?

33 replies

Jacquer · 26/06/2023 23:17

We have a cat that we need to rehome (for all our sakes, his included). The issue I forsee is he is an adult male moggy, and black. I know from having been a cat owner all my life and getting rescue cats that black cats are the least adopted, and I really would not want him to be put down. He loves being outside and I think would be quite content being a farm cat, but I have no idea how to go about trying to find somewhere for him, or if rehoming a cat to a farm is even a done thing.

Hoping for some advice please.

OP posts:

XenoBitch · 26/06/2023 23:20

The only cats I know that have been rehomed to farms were feral already, and fine with no human interaction.

If your moggy is used to people and the occasional bit of time indoors on a bed, he might really struggle on a farm.

Good luck with whatever you do. It sounds really hard.

Snooks1971 · 26/06/2023 23:23

OP think you should ask MN to move this to the Litter Tray board to get advice?

massiveclamps · 26/06/2023 23:23

Rescue shelters don't just put down animals if they aren't rehomed quickly. I'm sure if you contact one, they will put your mind at rest about that.

Yes you can rehome cats to farms, in fact I know a shelter that does just that with semi-feral cats that wouldn't be happy living in a domestic setting.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cats

Hellocatshome · 26/06/2023 23:24

If you really need to give him up find a local rescue explain his personality and leave them to it. Farm cats are not so much a thing as they used to be and if a farm wanted a cat they would already have one or several.

BeCruelToBeKind · 26/06/2023 23:25

I adopted a black cat.
If sent to a farm it would miss human company, it would be cruel really.

blacksax · 26/06/2023 23:25

Many stable yards have resident cats. Horses and cats get on surprisingly well together.

bonfirebash · 26/06/2023 23:26

Definitely contact a rescue. I've had 2 adult black male cats and that's what I would always look for!
But yes there are stable cats. We have 2, they live inside the barn type stables, can sleep in the straw or wherever they like and roam the fields in summer. They get plenty of attention and cuddles!

Original poster

Jacquer · 26/06/2023 23:31

@XenoBitch Thank you for the insight.

@Snooks1971 Apologies, I had no idea such a board existed.

@massiveclamps Unfortunately I once had a cat that went missing (before the days that microchips were common). Long story but we discovered after some time that he'd been taken to the local shelter and put down - not for medical reasons I should clarify. Perhaps this isn't the case anymore but with CoL crisis, post lockdown unwanted pets, etc, it logically seems more like than ever.

@Hellocatshome Yes I did think that I'm sure the cats on farms pretty much breed themselves, it was on the off chance as I really don't want him to have to go to a shelter if possible.

OP posts:

Original poster

Jacquer · 26/06/2023 23:36

@BeCruelToBeKind A loving home is obviously the much preferred scenario, but local adverts have not generated any interest whatsoever, and a shelter seems even crueler in my mind at least.

@blacksax Ah that's lovely, I might see on the off chance if I can find details of any local stables and ask.

@bonfirebash That sounds perfect! Just a shame you're unlikely to A) be looking for another one and B) local!

OP posts:

Yarnysaura · 27/06/2023 01:06

Blue Cross do a 'home direct' scheme where they do all the work of finding and vetting a new home, but the cat stays with you until a new home is found. Could that work?

Also, lots of smaller local rescues use foster homes rather than cattery set ups, so don't discount them.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 27/06/2023 07:43

Our girl was fostered at home for a year before we got her. She needed a child free home and people with kids kept applying 🙄 she is very scared of kids.

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 27/06/2023 07:45

Is he neutered? There are specialist feral rescues but if he doesn't live like that at the moment he might not be a priority for them...

Snooks1971 · 27/06/2023 08:19

@Jacquer no need to apologise 🙂 It’s just that the Litter Tray board is full of cat people who may be able to advise and help, and might have a solution for you. I’m not sure how to move a thread but I think if you email MN or click ‘report’ your OP then ask MNHQ to move it (just a thought though). x

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 27/06/2023 08:22

Would he really be happy on a farm as it often means the cats have absolutely no human company and are never allowed indoors?

helpfulperson · 27/06/2023 08:35

why are you rehoming him? I don't mean personal details but is it because of behavioural issues or just that you can't have him any more but actually he would make a good house cat if anyone wanted a black cat. I would definitely- talk to your local rescue.

Original poster

Jacquer · 27/06/2023 14:16

@helpfulperson We can't feasibly meet his needs and he hasn't adapted well to us having a child, fsctors which subsequently are causing behavioural issues as a result of his stress, resulting in quite substantial damage in a rental property. He would make a good pet to a particular kind of home, and I appreciate more now that a farm perhaps wouldn't be best fit for him, I want his wellbeing to be the priority and I'm really struggling (with personal experience mentioned above) about choosing what's the right decision for him. I will contact local shelters and see what their status is and what reassurances they can provide.

OP posts:

ItsNotRocketSalad · 27/06/2023 14:19

Farm cats are often not well looked after. If he got injured or ill it's likely nobody would notice and if they did, probably wouldn't contact a vet. Of course this is a generalisation but to me the risk wouldn't be acceptable.

You just need to find a no-kill shelter. Yes, black cats can take longer to rehome but they can also be snapped up in no time. I adopted a 13-year-old black male and there are plenty like me out there!

maidmarianne · 27/06/2023 14:40

massiveclamps · 26/06/2023 23:23

Rescue shelters don't just put down animals if they aren't rehomed quickly. I'm sure if you contact one, they will put your mind at rest about that.

Yes you can rehome cats to farms, in fact I know a shelter that does just that with semi-feral cats that wouldn't be happy living in a domestic setting.

Some of them do unfortunately. Many will say they don't put a healthy cat to sleep, but their definition of healthy is questionable... others have a time limit and will pts after a number of weeks.
That's just the harsh reality of cat rescue, especially in the summer when everyone is overwhelmed. When there's no space left, there's no space left.

I would look for small, local cat rescues as they are the least likely to do this and will make every effort to home your cat, however long it takes.

XelaM · 27/06/2023 14:45

My daughter rides at a London stable that has several cats running around the large equestrian estate. If you are anywhere near, I could put you in touch. They might take on another cat (they already have several including black cats).

caringcarer · 27/06/2023 14:56

blacksax · 26/06/2023 23:25

Many stable yards have resident cats. Horses and cats get on surprisingly well together.

So cute.

PJRules · 27/06/2023 15:01

If you've any localish horse yards it could be worth a chat. Most of our stable cats just turned up (and are caught, vetted and neutered) but some were given to us.

Agree that they are not necessarily that well cared for by the farm owners but if its a livery yard it's likely that various people will adopt and care for certain cats.

Nothing wrong in asking.

Runningslow · 27/06/2023 15:08

By behavioural issues, do you mean that he’s started urinating in the house due to stress?

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 27/06/2023 15:10

Would he suit an older person with no kids?

If you’ve always lived indoors it’s be a shock for him to live in a stable or farm.

MaximusPaddimous · 27/06/2023 15:11

There’s a Facebook group called Farm and Feral Cats UK that may be able to help but like other PPs I think your cat will prefer human interaction and a warm, cosy home to live in.

Runningslow · 27/06/2023 16:05

Runningslow · 27/06/2023 15:08

By behavioural issues, do you mean that he’s started urinating in the house due to stress?

Because this would probably change people’s answers, and if so, I would try and find a farm home to avoid constant rehoming. Have you seen a behaviourist or vet?

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