What is a "Barn Cat"? 

A cat who is not suited for traditional adoption as an in-home pet. 

Adopting a Barncat

Your Barn Cat will provide you years of eco-friendly pest control, if the proper steps are taken to ensure its comfort, safety, and survival. 

Email animals@amarillo.gov to be added to the list of potential adopters. As suitable barn cat candidates come in, adopters will be contacted on a first come first serve basis.

• Your Barn Cat has been vaccinated and fixed by AMW. 

Their surgery may have happened as recently as today, and you may see inflammation or redness at the incision site.  No need to worry, your Barn Cat received medications at the time of surgery to help with the pain and any possible infection.

What does a Barncat need?

• Food and water

Barn Cats will deal with the pests in their area, but usually will not eat what they kill.  At a minimum, you will need to put out food and water once a day for your Barn Cat, more often during the summer months.  Without food and water, your Barn Cat will eventually leave.

• Place to hide and rest. 

This could be a barn, a shed, a workshop, or any structure that provides shade, shelter, and protection.

Will my Barncat stay?

Studies show that an acclimation period of two to three weeks will increase the likelihood that your Barn Cat will remain on their new property. 

Upon returning to with your new Barn Cat, release it into its new shelter area with food, water, places to hide, and a litter box.  Keep the Barn Cat shut in its new shelter area for two to three weeks, providing new food, water, and litter as needed.  Once the two to three weeks is up, open the door and allow your new Barn Cat to go out and explore.  It is not out of the ordinary for some Barn Cats to stay hidden for a few days after their release.  Be patient, your new Barn cat will make itself known as it becomes comfortable with its new surroundings.

Important Barncat facts to remember:

• Barn Cats must be provided with food and water on a regular basis.
• Barn Cats must have access to shelter.
• Two or more Barn Cats is always better than one.
  • Multiple Barn Cats increases the effectiveness of the provided pest control, the likelihood of the cats remaining on the property, and decreases the likelihood that your Barn Cat will become prey.
• Barn Cats are NOT pets.
  • Your Barn Cat was placed into the Barn Cat Program because it was deemed not suitable for adoption as a pet.
  • DO NOT handle, or allow others to handle, your Barn Cat
  • DO NOT allow your Barn Cat to live in your home.

Barncat FAQs