ear-tipped tabby cat outside

Working Cat Program at the Sanctuary

What is the working cat adoption program?

The working cat adoption program aims to find adopters who are looking for natural rodent deterrents for enclosed properties such as barns, warehouses, churches, factories or other facilities.

This program is for specific cats from the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah who are found unbonded to humans.

Get started today! Email catworldadoptions@bestfriends.org. Please indicate "Working cat consultation" in the subject line. You may also call 435-319-4286.

Know a local business that may benefit from working cats? Please share our 1-sheet.

Does it actually work? Take a look for yourself!

"Everyone knows cats can nap like nobody's business. But as it turns out, they're also some of the hardest workers around. That's what Karen Orawa learned one day when she visited her friend's winery near Los Angeles. When Karen told her friend she was looking for a way to keep rodents out of her barn and garage, she learned about the winery's newest and most dedicated employees: cats."  »

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What is the process to adopt working cats?

Cats participating in the working cat program are vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped before going to a new home.

The adoption guidelines are the same for all Best Friends cats, and adoption fees are waived.

  • Working cats are best served when adopted in pairs to keep each other company, and our staff will select cats from our working cat enclosure based on compatibility.
  • Upon adoption, adopters should transport their working cats in sturdy airline-approved plastic carriers.
  • For proper acclimation to their new environment, working cats should be limited to an enclosed room (approximately 14 x 14 feet) for two weeks.
  • We encourage adopters to provide a sturdy plastic carrier for transport. Transportation options can be discussed during the consultation.
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How does an adopter care for working cats?

Adopters are given instructions on how to introduce their working cats to their new environment during the first two weeks and how to transport cats for veterinary care, should medical care become necessary.

Working cats need to be fed, sheltered and provided care like any other pet. They must live in an enclosed structure. They are not outside cats.

For more information on our working cat adoption program, please contact catworldadoptions@bestfriends.org.