What is a working cat?

Working cats are typically used as natural rodent control and prefer living in a barn, outbuilding, workshop or other indoor/outdoor setting.

The cats we place into this program are deeply under-socialized and typically arrive as strays or outdoor cats. They make good candidates due to their independence and prefer to limit interactions with humans. These cats can be feral/fractious and will not be handleable. Some working cats grow close with their caregivers after positive encounters with humans.

Most working cats develop strong bonds to other cats, which is why we typically require they have another cat companion on the property.

What kind of cats do we place as working cats?

1. Cats who came from an outdoor colony and cannot return due to dangerous living conditions.
2. Cats who were found as strays and too independent to appreciate living in a house.
3. Cats who are shy/fearful of people and prefer the company of other cats and animals.

What you will need to provide for your working cats (OAHS can provide you with any of the following):

1. A safe enclosed space

• This should be a quiet area away from other animals (to begin with) and away from heavy traffic roads.
• Tack room, bathroom, workshop, garage, outbuilding, large dog crate, etc.
• This space should be kept dry. Avoid using hay or blankets as they trap moisture and instead use straw for insulation.

2. A place to hide

• Your working cat should have a safe place to hide while acclimating
• You can use a box, a sheet over a crate, plastic carrier, etc.

3. Food and water

• Even though your cat may be hunting rodents, it is important for you to provide fresh food and water daily, so they continue to stay on your property.
• Establish a regular schedule and location for feeding times so the cats will anticipate mealtimes and return to the location.
• During colder months, you may want to invest in a heated bowl, heat lamp or outdoor heating mat so the food & water don’t freeze.
• Wet food should be provided during the acclimation period to build trust.

4. Litter box & scoop

Medical Care:

We provide our working cats with the following medical work:

• Spay/neuter (may or may not be ear tipped)
• Rabies & distemper vaccinations
• Deworming
• Flea treatment

OAHS cannot continue medical care post adoption but can offer guidance and advice. It is recommended to continue vet care if possible. Flea and tick treatment is beneficial to cats working outdoors.

Welcoming them home:

Once you have arrived home, bring your new cat to its designated enclosed space. Make sure you have everything in this space they need and double check that the door is closed.

Place the carrier on the ground and open the carrier door when you are in a safe position.

You can leave the carrier in the enclosure for the cat to use as a place to hide or remove it if the cat finds a secure space.

Your new resident may appear very panicked and stressed-give them time and space to settle in. They will begin to settle in once they realize no harm will come to them and that they are safe.

The Confinement & Acclimation Period

The key to getting your new cat to stay on the property rather than high tailing it out of there once that door opens is building trust and familiarity between you and the kitty.

Your new cat should stay in its cage/enclosure for 2-5 weeks. Cats should be given canned food at least twice a day to build trust and associate you with something positive. Three times a day would be better if possible. Research has shown cats confined to a cage for 3 weeks, 80% will stay. Cats confined to a cage for 4-5 weeks have a 90% success rate.

If possible, cats should be confined to the building for a week once released from the cage. Keep feeding the cat in the cage during the next week or two.

Cats should have dry food and clean water available daily and the litterbox should be cleaned at least once a day. 

What else can I do during the confinement period to increase the success rate?

• Visit your new cat daily. Do not attempt to touch them, but rather sit next to their enclosure. Talk to them in a quiet and soothing voice and begin to use phrases towards the cat so that they will eventually recognize you like, “here kitty kitty.”
• Use a radio to play them relaxing music
• Slow blink at the cat and then avert your eyes to communicate that you are not a threat.
• Provide them with very smelly wet food and sit with them while they eat, so they lean to associate you with mealtime.

Time to Release?

How will I know the cat is ready to be released from confinement?

All cats need individualized schedules for this process. It is important that your new cat recognizes you and trusts you before releasing them. Signs of trust include:

• Chirping, purring, social “talking”
• Making eye contact and slow blinking
• Approaching you
• Eating while you are present
• Playing with toys you toss to them
• Sitting outside of their “hidey box” while you are present

Note: Though the list above may sound characteristic of your average socialized cat, working cats will likely show their trust in a much more subtle or guarded way. Do not expect your working cat to suddenly solicit-or even tolerate-petting, holding, or other social interactions you might expect of an indoor companion.

They trust me. Now what?

Once you’ve gained their trust, you can leave the door open to their room, building, or crate open a bit and allow the cat to make the choice to leave on their own terms. But before you offer them that next step, make sure of the following:

• It’s a quiet, low-key day at your place. No planned visitors, lawn-mowing, or other external factors that could scare the cat.
• It’s daylight. Cats need to see where they are going to return safely.
• It’s not raining. Cats will use their sense of smell to return.

How do I keep them coming back?

• Keep good, smelly canned food available for them.
• Provide food and water for them on their usual schedule.
• Call “here kitty kitty” or the phrases you used during confinement to signal for their return.
• Maintain a warm, dry shelter for them.

Post Adoption

If you have any questions or concerns during or after this process, please reach out to our Cat Team Manager.

Breanna Gruse
920-424-2128 ext.106
bre@oahs.org
1925 Shelter Ct Oshkosh, WI 54901

Thank you so much for accepting a working cat into your family!

OAHS will follow up periodically to check the status of your newest addition(s) and gather data to keep improving our working cat program. We look forward to the success of your new working cat!