After about a week of being kept comfortable in the barn or room in the barn, you can open up the area and let the cat explore. We recommend that the first time you give your cat access to the outside, it be daylight so that you can monitor for any problems. It can be overwhelming for your new cat to see the full property the first time with dogs or kids running around, so try to keep the property as quiet and stress-free as possible when you first open the doors.

If you have other animals on your property, your new cat will need time to adjust to living with them give them time! Most cats, given enough time and space, will transition into happy coexistence with other cats, dogs, and even farm animals! Let your new cat and current cats work out their differences sometimes cats need to make noise or scuffle a little to learn their place in a home’s social order- this behavior is normal!

Even though your new cat will be a valuable partner in mouse control, it’s important that you still give your cat access to food and water daily. Cats do not/will not hunt more if you withhold food, so make sure you’re keeping your cat healthy with regular feeding. Routine feeding times/places will also help keep skittish cats from wandering off the property.

Your new cat is up to date on vaccines (FVRCP and Rabies), and spayed or neutered. Your cat has also been treated for fleas and dewormed! We recommend that you continue your cat’s vaccination schedule as the years progress- many “country” vets will often make house calls to vaccinate barn cats on-site. Keeping your cat up to date on shots is an important part of keeping them healthy while living outside.