Moving a barn cat to a new farm - any advice?

[JLK]

We’re moving to a new horse farm, about fifteen miles north of our existing one. We have one barn cat, a great mouser, a firm believer in Stranger Danger with everyone but us, intolerant of being picked up (but quite willing to be a lap cat and get belly rubs), and definitely independent other than when he’s in urgent need of attention and treats from us.

Any suggestions to make the move for him work? I’m planning on borrowing a large dog kennel to house him in for awhile, and then try to keep him in the barn for some time after that. I’ll bring along his winter sleeping mat (it’s in a heated tack room). But I’m quite worried that he’ll take off, never to be seen again.

[Simkie]

You’ve got the right idea–keep him locked up. It takes a month to reset their “cat GPS.” If your tack room is cat proof, he can live in there. Feed him something extra tasty once or twice a day, and establish that routine (if you don’t already have one.) When you do let him out after a month, consider a tasty dinner and locking him in the tack room overnight for awhile, even if the long term plan is him loose all the time, just to further establish his range as nearby, and his home base as your barn.

If he’s not microchipped and collared with your contact info, think about doing that, too.

Good luck!

[carman_liz]

How long have you had him? I don’t have a ‘barn cat’ persay, but our male fixed outdoor cat has been with us for 11yrs and thru 3 homes. When we moved to our second home, he made friends with all the neighbors in the sub but still came home every night and morning to eat. This 3rd home, our farm. He wants nothing to do with the barn, wants to be up at the house with us, but it is a BUSY street, one of those roads people cut down and do 60mph down, he still sticks around the house and is hanging out every morning, night, and most afternoons around the deck or carport. Caught him snoozing on my tractor seat the other evening lol. I think if they know who feeds them and where they have guaranteed food, they stick around. If he has a litter box there at all, keep it in the barn or around where he can easily smell it after you start letting him out. And congrats on the new barn!!!

[walktrot]

@Simkie

You’ve got the right idea–keep him locked up. It takes a month to reset their “cat GPS.” I

And, cats will go up to a mile from their home. Years ago I moved to a new apartment with my leash-trained Siamese. I thought they were far enough apart. First time out for a walk he didn’t stop to think or look around. He dragged me along a tiny path along the edge of a mill pond and stopped at the old building.

The barn cats at my old barn were getting old, up around 8-10. Barn cats tend to live 2-4 years. This crew had a secret entrance into a steel building. We couldn’t find it. They went behind the kick boards and exited into the indoor arena. The footing was 16,000 sf of sand, the world’s largest litter box.

[Zu_Zu]

Added insurance before allowing him out - collect and strategically place some of his scat/ used litter box pee spots around your new property ~ this tells other cats to stay out and your cat that he is “home” and it’s his property.

Place just a bit at the outside corners of your buildings / as markers for him.

Enjoy your new property !

[MapleBreeze]

My barn cats just know to go where my horses go. I used to be worried but I just lock them in the barn bathroom a day or 2 and they are fine. One of them will come out of hiding at night at a new place when its quiet and im puttering and ill just walk her around the grounds and show her things and she likes that.

They will come find you when its quiet in the new place.

[clanter]

here there are no barn cats…zero…the coyotes eat them

[walktrot]

@clanter

here there are no barn cats…zero…the coyotes eat them

We actually assumed years ago the coyotes were eating the barn cats which is why they disappeared after a couple of years. I figure the entrance these guys have in the back of the indoor is keeping them safe.

I don’t understand coyotes. I know they probably eat barn cats. It’s the corn on the cob. They eat the absolute best variety our local expert plants. Just that one. She wouldn’t plant it this year.

[Sandysmom]

Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and like dogs, are somewhat omnivorous. They love sweet corn, melons, tomatoes and other fruit. This time of year the coyote scat is full of persimmon seeds. Outdoor cats don’t survive long around here either as I keep trying to explain to my one idiot that tries to run out the door every time I open it.

[SusanO]

My barn cats have lived somewhere between 10 and 20 years. None have gone missing - they were euthanized due to health issues from old age or other infirmities. I do have coyotes out here but because of the heavy population of deer hunters that shoot anything that moves the coyotes are pretty fearful of human beings and give humans a wide berth. I hear the coyotes at night but have only seen one once in 20 years. And my “barn” cats sleep on my front porch. I know a coyote could get over my fencing but it isn’t convenient for them to do so. So knock on wood they are not a problem with my cats. And there is Gretel that I think lives on my roof…

[clanter]

@Sandysmom

Coyotes are opportunistic feeders

neighbor had to beat a coyote off its dog, coyote cleared the five foot fence to attack their about 20 pound pooch, neighbor was there seeing the attack responding with an attack of her own driving the coyote off.

We have never seen a coyote in our dogs yard, but the coyotes often are in the pastures

There are no small dogs or any cats wondering around here, and it is not that animal control is doing a wonderful job

[brody]

Just jumping in to say thank you for moving your cat with you. And I agree with the great advice above. I’m another one with teenage barn cats and our last move we had to trap our most feral guy but 9 years later the big dog crate is still set up with door tied open a bed in it and covered in blankets. It makes a cozy cabin for the three. We took our time letting them loose and yummy food happens often as well as clean water and a little dry food at all times. I’m wondering about timing a new younger cat or pair as we’ve noticed more rodents this year.

[JLK]

Thanks, all (@Simkie and @Zu_Zu , particularly).
Can’t say I’m any more worried about coyotes than I am here - we have plenty of them, but they don’t come into the barn (and Kit is pretty careful about them).