Working cats program offers pest control solution

MISSOULA, Mont. — Not every cat that ends up in a shelter is fond of human interaction, which is where the AniMeals Adoption Center and Food Bank's Working Cats Program comes in. This initiative places cats on farms and ranches for pest control purposes.

Janet Rose, the executive director at AniMeals, has experience with working cats from her time owning a small horse ranch.

"I adopted a cat that had been brought in as a stray. He was a working cat. He loved to chase mice, catch mice [and] eat mice. I gave him everything that he would need to have a good life," said Rose.

Many of the working cats at AniMeals enter the shelter as strays before being assessed on their sociability with humans to ensure proper placement. Despite some cats' reluctance to interact with people, Rose believes the program leads to positive outcomes.

"If we can get them in, even if they can't be adopted into a home, as a working cat, they provide a service to the person who adopts them for a ranch or a farm or a barn or whatever. They're healthy and they can live out their lives well. So, it's kind of a win-win for everybody," said Rose.

All cats taken in by AniMeals receive veterinary care and are spayed or neutered.

For those dealing with pest issues on farms or ranches, considering a working cat from AniMeals might be a viable solution. More information can be found on their website or by visiting the shelter in Missoula.