Key Takeaways
My cats are bitcoin 9000pretty pampered. This year, the kids even insisted we get them a special, cat-themed advent calendar. But most felines don’t have the easy life of my two couch panthers. Millions of cats are actually feral, homeless and living by their wits along in the cities or rural byways of this country. The feral cat population is huge and only growing, and many of these animals are not suited to the indoor lifestyle after never being socialized to live alongside humans.
But that doesn’t mean that they still don’t enjoy a little luxury now and then. Take, for example, this formerly feral “barn cat” who is getting his first taste of what life is like when you have a human to take care of you. In this case, it’s a brand new, heated cat bed to help provide some comfort on those cold winter nights.
“This is Orion and he is a good boy,” reads the caption on this adorable video. “He’s got a new heated cat bed for these chilly Vermont nights and it turned him into a biscuit-making kitten again.”
Orion and two of this family’s other “barn cats” first came to live in their current situation after being rescued from the property of a hoarder who had abandoned them to the elements. It’s safe to say they’re much happier and better cared for now. And even if they never learn how to be house cats, they new family is dedicated to their care and well-being, as is made clear by the heated bed and security cameras tracking their every adorable move.
What’s a “Barn Cat?”
“Barn cats” or “farm cats” are working cats, usually feral or semi-feral who live a primarily outdoor life on a farm, where they serve as a pest-control service, especially in farm structures like barns. Responsible farmers take care of their barn cats the same way they would care for their other livestock, ensuring that they are healthy, well-fed, and otherwise cared for with things like vet visits, vaccines, and safe, dry, and warm places to sleep.
Because barns are so often filled with grain, hay, and other animal feed, they can be a magnet for unwanted pests like mice and rats, and having some barn cats to prowl the place is a smart choice.
As there is never a shortage of cats looking for homes, it’s relatively to find a “barn cat,” but it’s important to realize that a barn cat and a house cat are two very different creatures.
The best barn cats were also raised in barns or are feral cats, with high levels of activity and a strong prey drive. Many shelters which bring in feral cats may specify which of their available animals would make good barn cats and which just don’t have it in them to do that kind of work. The life of a barn cat is not as easy as a pampered house kitty, and is not necessarily suited for every cat.
How to Help Feral Cats
As the temperatures plummet this winter, you may ask yourself how you can help the feral cats in your area even if you don’t have a barn to offer them. There’s plenty of heated cat houses available on the market and you can also DIY your own winter feral cat house as long as you follow some simple guidelines.
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