Rodent Rangers – Working Cat Program

Got mice? Furry Friend’s Rodent Rangers are here to help! They provide green pest control in exchange for access to food, water, and shelter.

Why hire a Rodent Ranger?

It’s an environmentally friendly solution to your rodent problems. While some of our mousers are more skilled than others just the presence of barn cats helps deter rodents!
No chemicals, no traps. Your barn and home are safe from dangerous toxins.
You’ll save a life by giving a cat that otherwise might be considered “unadoptable” a second chance.
All our Rodent Rangers are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
Adoption fees are waived!

How the Rodent Ranger Program Works

Rodent Ranges are ideal for barns, commercial buildings and properties, wineries, and more. If you’re wondering if our working cats are a good fit send an email to adoptions@furryfriendsrefuge.org, we’ll be happy to help you.
You must be willing to provide a safe environment with shelter, food, and water and be willing to imprint the cats for 3-4 weeks before releasing them. Think of it as on the job training for your new employees.
Cages are available to loan if you don’t have a secure area for the transition.
If we currently don’t have any suitable barn cats for you we will place you on our wait list and contact you as soon as a match becomes available.

Already Have Barn Cats Breeding Out of Control?

If you have a current barn cat population that needs spayed and neutered we can help through our low-cost spay and neuter clinic. Male cats are just $50 to alter and females are $60. That price includes rabies and distemper vaccines and a month of flea and tick treatment. You can view our services and schedule appointments online at furryfriendsspay.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do barn cats come from?
- Most barn cats are strays or were born to outside cats and have had little interaction with humans. These cats are often considered unadoptable and euthanized at traditional shelters.
Why do I have to feed them?
- The rodent population may not be enough to sustain them. Providing food helps ensure your Rangers have enough to eat and encourages them to stick around and keep working even when the rodent population dwindles.
Why do I have to confine the cats when I take them home?
- Relocating cats requires a bit of work. If you take them home and open the cage for them to run free immediately your cats aren’t likely to stick around – they don’t know the safe spots or that there will be a source of food. Imprinting them on your location by confining them helps them acclimate and learn that your location is a great place to hang around!
Why do you send them out in groups of 3 or more?
- Feral cats enjoy other cats. When the cats are spayed/neutered it eliminates most fighting over territory and mates so they generally live peacefully together. Having a couple friends around reduces stress on your new Ranger and encourages them to stay together at your location.
What kind of shelter do I need to provide?
- Your Rodent Rangers will require a place where they can seek protection from the weather, predators, and has a dry source of food. Locations can include but are not limited to a barn, shed, enclosed porch, outbuilding, warehouse, greenhouse, or shop. We occasionally have cats that need an indoor environment only, they’re ideal for businesses who need indoor rodent deterrent. If that sounds like your set-up let us know!
How much does a Rodent Ranger adoption cost?
- Nothing. Our adoption fees are waived for Rodent Rangers. We are always grateful for donations to help us cover cost of care but we very much appreciate our barn cat adopters and the opportunity they are giving these cats.