Rescue Rehomes Cats For Pest Control

Rescue Rehomes Cats For Pest Control The Working Cat Project of Central Kentucky helps rural property owners connect with natural mouse catchers. “After the unexpected death of my sweet 14-month-old kitten, Jack, I needed to channel my energy into a project to honor his life,” says Peyton Mashni, founder of the project. “I realized what Central Kentucky needed—a network of property owners willing to provide a haven for at-risk cats. The Working Cat Project was born. In June 2020, we became an official 501(c)(3) organization.” The project places feral or otherwise unhomed cats into safe barn homes. Property owners must provide shelter, food and water. In return, the cats help control the rodent population. “Our cats come from unsafe outdoor living conditions and county shelters,” Mashni says. “They’re unsuitable for indoor living due to behavioral issues, litter box issues, or being feral due to little or negative human contact. Usually, county shelters can’t help these cats, and the outcome is grim. The Working Cat Project fills this need by adopting out these kitties to property owners.” These cats range from friendly to feral. They’ll place kittens that have passed the window for socialization to become house pets. The project also facilitates Trap-Neuter-Return, allowing cats to stay in their original outdoor locations without adding to the cat overpopulation crisis. Suitable homes need to be safe from hazards and far from heavy traffic. Owners are required to provide daily food, preferably on an elevated surface to deter raccoons, along with a small cat house or similar shelter. Each rehomed cat must go through a mandatory 4-week confinement period in a kennel. Otherwise, they’re likely to bolt in an attempt to track down their previous homes, a dangerous endeavor. The month-long confinement allows the cats to see that their new home is safe and provides ample food and water, making them more comfortable in the long run. At that point, they’re ready to become permanent pest control for the property. As of April 2025, the organization has placed 645 cats into 302 barn homes. “We’ve placed in Fayette, Madison, Jessamine, Woodford, Scott, Bourbon and Clark counties,” Mashni says. “A few have made it to some of the most prestigious farms in Central Kentucky. “It’s been so rewarding getting to watch cats blossom at their new homes and see how much their new owners cherish them.” Still, she admits that the workload can get overwhelming. “It’s a challenge to juggle all this work on top of our full-time jobs; we do this on a volunteer basis.” While there are no set adoption fees, the project suggests a $25 donation per cat to offset vet care and kenneling supplies. The project is currently seeking volunteers to trap cats, conduct community outreach, provide transportation, and assist with fundraising efforts. “You can save lives and reap the benefits of pest-free rodent control by adopting a working cat. It’s a win-win.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, The Working Cat Project (info@workingcatprojectky.org; www.workingcatprojectky.org).

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