News
Got mice?? ….Get a Barn Cat Buddy!!
January 06, 2009, 6:18PM MT
By Rick and Sarah McDonald
Rodent Control Technicians will mouse in exchange for room and board.
Rodent Control Technicians will mouse in exchange for room and board.
by Rick & Sarah McDonald, Best Friends Network Volunteers
One of our favorite companion animal advocates in Virginia is Diane Novak. This is the story of how she created the Barn Cat Buddies program and how she has seen the program through its infancy to the current status as an ongoing animal welfare enterprise in Franklin County, Virginia.
Diane says that in 2007, after many years of witnessing over-crowded shelters, and working with the large number of feral cat colonies in her area, the idea of bringing farms and cats together occurred to her.
What is better than a non-toxic, natural solution to safeguarding expensive grain and feed? These expert Rodent Control Technicians are ready to go to work in exchange for food and board. The program has since placed 68 cats in barns throughout Franklin County and surrounding areas.
Candidates for the program fall into several categories:
• Death row cats in the county shelter
• Drop-offs found at dumpsters where their selfish “owners” have discarded them
• Cats in safe shelters who are depressed by their surroundings
Barn Cat Buddies are re-homed only AFTER they have been sterilized and rabies-vaccinated. Before being placed in a barn, the barn owners are instructed in a protocol for safe relocation.
The Barn Cat Buddies program has been primarily a one-person show. While there are more than enough cats to go around, Diane has had difficulty finding enough local barns to enroll in the program. Although the program is being run under the umbrella of the non-profit Franklin County Humane Society, it receives NO funding from them or from anyone else. All costs are currently paid by Diane or a small group of loyal volunteers.
As you might expect, the greatest of these costs is for the sterilization of the cats before they go to their new forever barns. Because of this, barn owners are requested to donate the cost of a spay or neuter procedure when they receive a barn cat buddy.
Read what local media outlets have had to say about Barn Cat Buddies at the following links:
• WSLS Channel 10 News Piece about Barn Cat Buddies
• Article at OurValley.org
Barn Cat Rap:
We’re the professionals who won’t cause a fuss;
We’re all “fixed” up, so no kittens for us!
By doin’ our job we’re bound to impress,
We’re THE BARN CAT BUDDIES just controlling the mess!
©2007, Diane Novak
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Make a tax deductible donation to the Barn Cat Buddies program:
Make your check payable to Angels of Assisi, and mail to:
Diane Novak
207 Shedd Lane
Hardy, Va 24101
(Put Barn Cat Buddies in the Memo section of your check)
(Angels of Assisi is a 501c3 organization.)
Volunteer: email Diane at diane@reikipets.com
Let Diane know about your available barn at the above email address.
For more innovative programs for community felines, join the Best Friends Feral Cat community.
Photo Credit: Rick McDonald, 2001