I would seriously consider it, since someone left an old rental property uninhabited near us and neighbors have spotted rodents in the yard there. BUT I understand that cats kill lots of birds, and that makes me think it might be better to deal with the rodents some other way.

I do like cats, and miss having one, I just don't think I'd want to have one that was outside all the time. I know it's a complicated issue, and I appreciate that these kitties have a right to a warm, safe home too!

Oh dear, no... haven't considered it for a moment (despite having a truckload of voles). I have a dear Coon-cat mix of my own (also a rescue cat, though not a feral one), a large dog, and plenty of coyotes. If I didn't have the other pets (I can't imagine everyone co-existing peaceably and I CAN imagine my own cat packing his bags and leaving home in a huff!), I might consider it -- though I would worry about coyotes. Our neighbors recently lost a cat to something -- we (and they) assume coyotes, since we often hear them. I can't imagine how cats living more or less on their own in the outdoors -- even in a barn at night (presumably not in the daytime) -- would avoid that fate. My little guy is back in the house by late afternoon every day...

But good luck placing them somewhere! What about feed/farm supply stores? Some of them seem to have resident cats -- would they take some good mousers?

Hi Digging,
It has been my experience that barn cats go after rodents before they go after birds. closer to the ground and easier to sneak up on. I have plenty to chose from so let me know.

CTlady, I worry about coyotes also, but usually barn cats stay around the area. If you have a barn or outbuilding, mice and rats will try to nest in there for the winter. So, the cat may be in there quite a bit during the day. Voles and moles are out in the summer among our veggies and flowers. Barn cats usually stick to where the varmints are and coyotes seldom come too close to human areas. At least not usually. So I am hoping some good hearted people will consider offering a home to some cats. /Abi

You know, I actually have briefly considered it, especially lately since my neighbor's two cats both died over the last year and half, and I do have a vole problem. Old Stubby used to constantly sit in my garden and watch for voles. Can't say as he ever caught any, lol, but I liked having him on the lookout.

The problem? I don't like cats! Yikes, I know I opened myself up for a lot of comments on that one, lol, but I'm sorry, I'm just not a cat person. At the farm I work at, there's a cat and that darn thing runs over to me constantly and rubs against my legs. Yuck. All I can think of is fleas, lol. No matter how many times I shake it off he/she comes back to me. Give me a dog any day!

That being said, I have been thinking that a outdoor/garage cat, who I don't have to pet or really associate with might be okay, lol. I'm not ready yet, Abi, but thanks for putting the idea of a rescue cat in my mind. When and if the time comes, that's the route I'll go. That way neither the cat nor I will have to be social with each other, lol!

:)
Dee

Hi Dee ... trust you realize that it's precisely BECAUSE you hate cats that the farm cat has adopted you as his own special person. Just like when I'm having a meeting in my living room, and someone really HATES cats, that's the lap my wonderful, loving little guy heads for first. He can tell. I think people who don't like cats must have a special sort of smell or something... ;)

Abi -- what happens if your feral cats are introduced into settings where domestic cats already live? I would think there would be territorial fights galore and someone would get hurt... as for coyotes, around here they absolutely do approach human areas at night (which is why I would worry about barn cats, who would be basically outdoor cats). I never let my little guy out after about 4 pm for fear I won't get him in before dusk falls.

Hi Digging,
It has been my experience that barn cats go after rodents before they go after birds. closer to the ground and easier to sneak up on. I have plenty to chose from so let me know.

CTlady, I worry about coyotes also, but usually barn cats stay around the area. If you have a barn or outbuilding, mice and rats will try to nest in there for the winter. So, the cat may be in there quite a bit during the day. Voles and moles are out in the summer among our veggies and flowers. Barn cats usually stick to where the varmints are and coyotes seldom come too close to human areas. At least not usually. So I am hoping some good hearted people will consider offering a home to some cats. /Abi