Farm Cats:
What They Are and How You Can Assist!

The Morrison County Animal Humane Society frequently offers "Farm cats" (also known as barn cats) seeking suitable outdoor homes. These cats are not suited for indoor living for various reasons. They are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and available for adoption at a "Name Your Own Price" fee.
What to Know:
  • Can I pet a Working cat? While some are semi-social, many want nothing to do with humans because they are feral. While you may not be able to directly interact with them, you can still make a difference by providing a good outdoor home.
  • How do I keep a working cat close to home? Confine them for two to four weeks and feed them so they associate the home with food. It helps to adopt in pairs, too!
  • What is a good shelter for a Working cat? A barn, shed, garage, etc. MCAHS staff members will advise the prospective working cat adopter to ensure the shelter is adequate for the cat.
  • A shelter environment can be extremely stressful for a feral or semi-feral cat; they do not thrive indoors, and it is inhumane to confine them in a shelter for a prolonged duration. Hence, our social media appeals for their adoption may sometimes convey urgency—if MCAHS fails to act humanely, it contradicts our core principles.

Farm cats will also require a steady supply of food, but rest assured, this will not deter them from hunting.

*At MCAHS, the working cats are available for a "name your own price" adoption. Whether you choose to pay $100 or $1, we appreciate your contribution. Our goal is to cover the costs of their care, but more importantly, we want to ensure they find a suitable outdoor home quickly.
To inquire further about this program or to join the waiting list for a working cat, please contact the Morrison County Animal Humane Society at 320-632-0703.
Working Cat Terminology Stray cat: A cat, likely found outside, who may or may not have a home. When brought to Morrison County Animal Humane Society, we are obligated by law to advertise them for at least five days to try to find an owner. If they are unclaimed, they legally become ours and go up for adoption.
Outdoor cat: A cat who lives 100 percent outdoors; it may or may not be friendly to humans.
Feral cat: A wild, untamed cat who will likely never appreciate a human’s company. All feral cats live outdoors, but not all outdoors cats are necessarily feral. If a cat will let you come close to it or touch it, it is NOT feral.
Ways to Help Farm Cats
  • Adopt them! (Again, they do best in pairs/small groups.)
  • Spread the word about our program to friends who live in more rural areas!
  • Thinking about bringing a feral cat to a shelter? Please don’t!