Buzz
Cats offer a sustainable solution for pest control. Unlike professional exterminators, they avoid leaving hazardous poisons in your environment. If you're dealing with rat, mice, or other pest issues, there are various methods to utilize working cats. Working cat programs ensure stray cats receive veterinary care before being introduced to areas with severe pest problems. For smaller pest issues, consider adopting or purchasing a breed with strong hunting instincts.
Key Points to Remember
- If you're considering employing a cat for pest control but don't own one, consult your local animal shelter or humane society regarding working cat programs, which utilize stray cats to deter rats and mice from inhabiting an area.
- You can also opt to adopt an indoor/outdoor cat or even a mother cat with kittens—just be mindful that certain breeds exhibit superior hunting skills compared to others.
- Whether you're renting cats or own them, ensure they receive adequate food, a cozy shelter, and proper veterinary attention.
Guidelines
Utilizing Working Cat Programs
Locate a working cat program. Contact your local animal shelter or humane society to inquire about the availability of a working cat program in your vicinity. These programs employ groups of feral or stray cats to control pests such as rats and mice. Introducing a group of stray cats to the area where you need to address a pest issue will deter pests from residing there due to the presence of the cats.
- If you reside in Chicago, consider the program administered by Tree House Humane Society.
- If you're in New York City, explore the New York City Feral Cat Initiative.
- If you're in Texas, reach out to Barn Cats Incorporated.
Acquire stray cats from a working cat program.
Request a group of feral cats from the working cat program to be stationed in your backyard, barn, or place of business. Inquire about the organization's approach to veterinary care and animal welfare. Additionally, ascertain the cost associated with deploying stray cats.
- Working cat programs typically vaccinate and neuter the stray cats.
- Some working cat programs may assist in caring for the feral cats they deploy in your vicinity.
Review local regulations if utilizing cats for pest control in a professional setting. When employing stray cats to patrol your business premises, it's crucial to check whether you're in compliance with local regulations, such as food safety laws.
- In the United States, regulations pertaining to cats are governed at the local level rather than the state level.
- For business owners in New York City, health and state regulations prohibit the use of animals in establishments where food and beverages are sold.
- In New York City, fines for employing cats for pest control range from $300 to $2,000.
Ensure the feral cats remain in the designated area. As feral cats reside outdoors or within enclosed workspaces, it's essential to implement measures to encourage them to stay. Familiarize the cats with the area by providing food, entertainment, and sleeping arrangements. Additionally, ensure they have access to appropriate shelter to protect them from adverse weather conditions.
Optimizing Your Own Cats
Select a proficient hunting breed. Certain cat breeds excel at pest control compared to others. While considering the cat's personality and upbringing is essential, prioritize acquiring or adopting a breed known for its hunting prowess. Some top breeds for pest management include:
- American Shorthair
- Maine Coon
- Siberian
- Siamese
- Chartreux
- Burmese
- Manx
- Turkish Angora
- Japanese Bobtail
- Persian
Nurture a stray cat and her offspring for a lasting solution. Kittens learn pest control behaviors from their mothers. By fostering a cat and her kittens, you contribute to training the next generation of efficient mousers and rat catchers.
- Once the kittens reach maturity, ensure to spay and neuter the entire litter, including the mother. Neglecting this step may lead to an unexpected increase in the feline population. Consider engaging a Trap-Neuter-Release program or seek assistance from a local veterinarian.
Consider adopting indoor/outdoor cats. Contact your nearby animal shelter and inquire about available stray or feral cats for adoption. Often, these shelters are overwhelmed with cats. By adopting an indoor/outdoor cat, you can effectively manage pests both indoors and in the outdoor areas surrounding your residence, such as barns or chicken coops.
Provide care for your mousers. Ensure your indoor/outdoor cats have a cozy resting area, along with proper nutrition and veterinary attention. These cats will reciprocate by diligently patrolling your premises and deterring bothersome rodents.
Insights
Cautions
- Working cats may contract diseases from the pests they hunt and transmit them to other animals or humans within your household. Ensure the cats are vaccinated and undergo regular deworming.
- Outdoor cats also prey on birds and other wildlife.
- Outdoor cats face increased health risks compared to indoor cats.
- Some municipalities prohibit the use of working cats in commercial establishments such as convenience stores or food retail locations.
