Majority of farms and ranches have barn cats. If you have grain, you have mice which mean you need cats. Our cats are like the secret service of the ranch, always on the watch and not always seen. Some of our barn cats are very friendly and some are more elusive, but each one is unique. They all have a different story before coming to live at the ranch, some we know details and some we know nothing. The one thing we know is the ending of their story, a safe haven at the ranch. They’ve all been strays who were rescued to get a second chance at life. But these cats are not your typical inside only cat, they need space to roam and ultimately be a cat. So that is where our ranch comes in. We provide food, water, shelter, and love if they want it. So here is our secret service posse!
Mittens
Mittens came to us as a very friendly cat. However, sometimes he would get crabby (like most cats) and kind of swat at you. He was fixed and vaccinated before coming to the ranch. He has turned out to be one of the sweetest cats. I think he just needed space. He was the top cat for a while but now that he’s been here almost a year, he’s mellowed out knowing he doesn’t need to compete for anything. His one flaw – he loves to help me milk our Jersey cow. Impatient for that warm milk!
Orangey
He came to us as a 4 month old kitten. When we had him confined to a small area, he would let me pet him but didn’t particularly want me to. Once we let him be free to roam the ranch, he didn’t want to be pet but he was always there when we put warm milk in the bowl. However, recently, he has started meowing at me when I feed them and has actually came up to me to be pet briefly. He’s been here almost a year as well and we’ve gained his trust. He may never want tons of pets but he knows he’s safe and loved regardless.
Blackie
Blackie has been one of the most feral cats that we’ve rescued. You know she has had a rough beginning to life because she is missing an eye. When she came to us, she was also fighting a very bad respiratory infection. It was winter and cold when she came to the ranch so we had to keep her inside for a couple of weeks to give her time to get better. However, she was very feral. It was hard to do anything because we would have to be so quiet, slow and cautious. Once she moved outside, she became very elusive. The only times you’d see her is from the upstairs window in the house. She was there but she didn’t want to be seen. Later, we discovered she is hard of hearing too. However, that hasn’t stopped her from thriving. Fast forward about 10 months, she comes to eat when I feed them and give them milk. She also started meowing at me and wanting to be pet. It has been so cool to witness how she has changed and become a completely different cat.
Vern, Vicky, Vinny, & Vada
These four cats are all siblings and they came to us after they had been rescued as older kittens. They were always more nervous and shy so they were not able to be adopted out. They have only been here a couple of months so we are still getting to know them. They do not want to be pet yet but they are definitely getting more comfortable being around us so only time will tell. I have been completely amazed at how easily they get along with the rest of the barn cats.
DJ
DJ has had a rough life. He is missing part of his tail, part of an ear, and has a pretty good scar between his eyes. He is a very sweet and soft spoken cat. He doesn’t want to upset anyone. I don’t know what happened to cause each one of his battle wounds but he is a survivor. The cat rescue that we adopted him through wondered if he has some neurological issues because he doesn’t successfully use a litter box which is the main reason why he can’t be an inside cat. But he loves the barn and everyone who enters the barn. He’s always waiting for you and doesn’t stray too far. He’s been such a sweet addition to our ranch.
Timmy
Timmy is the coolest cat – so sweet. But he prefers his space and doesn’t love other cats. He isn’t the instigator but we’ve had some cat tiffs. I knew he wasn’t happy so I wanted to make sure he got some space to himself. I moved him into the feed room that is attached to the chicken coop. He is able to stay in the feed room or be in with the chickens. He chooses to be in with the chickens. Our chickens are free range so the door is open all day for him to come and go as he pleases. He loves his chickens. Every night he is in the coop waiting for us to close it up. He’s never tried to hurt a chicken either. So he’s earned the title Chicken Coop Protector.
Spike
Spike was rescued and in tough shape. He is a long haired cat who was so matted they couldn’t even tell if he was a girl or boy. He was also infested with fleas. The rescue was able to get him groomed and even though he looks like a lion right now, his new hair is coming in good. He is also missing the top part of an ear probably from frostbite. He is a sweet cat but can be grouchy. He wants to be pet but very quickly can change his mind. I think he’s mainly like that because of how much pain he has felt. He’s been here about two months now and for the most part is no longer striking after being pet. He loves to follow you around the whole barnyard just to see what you’re up to. He is a very brave cat – not afraid of anything even a 1000+ pound cow.
Maliha
Maliha is very new to our ranch. She is a very sweet girl but still is a bit nervous about where she is and if she is 100% safe. She was rescued from living under someone’s shed that was infested with rabbits and fleas. Upon rescue they discovered that she had been declawed. The hopes were that someone was missing her and desperately wanting her back, but no one came forward. She really wants to be a lap cat but has some fear which can make her unpredictable. She is a beautiful cat and we are excited to get to know her better.
Flint
Flint is also very new to our ranch. He is a young kitten who was discovered at an ethanol plant as a day old kitten. We don’t know what happened that the mother cat never came back for him or found him. But thankful that a kind-hearted person found him and contacted the cat rescue. Fosters pulled together to get him and get him with a nursing mom. He is a spunky boy who plays hard and sleeps harder. Eventually he will join the barn cats outside but for now, we are going to let him continue growing and getting socialized with the kids inside the house.
Copper
Copper is officially the newest kitten on the ranch. He was rescued as a very young kitten from the same location Flint was rescued. He was found locked in a room with some very loud equipment. He may suffer from some hearing loss but only time will tell. Flint and Copper instantly loved each other – who knows they could be half siblings! He loves to play hard with Flint and then sleep even harder. (Copper is on the right in the picture.)
Savannah
Savannah was a stray that we used to feed in our old neighborhood. We were worried that she was pregnant and it was November. Winters are not kind and we could not stand the thought that if she had kittens, they’d never survive. Thankfully, she wanted food and was friendly. She became our inside kitty and never ended up having kittens. However, she was full of worms, which is why she looked so pregnant. She tolerates everything and is just a wonderful kitty to be around. She wants to go outside so we are slowly working through this.
Maggie
Maggie came to us as a 5 week old kitten. A friend of mine had been seeing this little kitten and as a cat lover herself, didn’t want something to happen to her as it was already starting to get colder. She was able to catch Maggie and we brought her home. We were in the middle of selling our home and moving so I always say God had a sense of humor. He must of known we needed the distraction of a kitten in the midst of the chaos. She’s the most laid back cat I’ve ever had. She’s been smothered by kids and dogs and loves it all. Now she is playing big sister to Flint & Copper.