Pets

Orange County needs to find homes for 'hardworking' cats

Orange County is trying to find owners for special cats, saying, "They may not be used to being handled or petted, but they still need a safe place to call home."

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By
Jessica Patrick
, WRAL Sr. multiplatform producer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Orange County is trying to find owners for special cats, saying, "They may not be used to being handled or petted, but they still need a safe place to call home."

The so-called "barn cats" are not social enough to be adopted through the Orange County Animal Services adoption program, but they are still in need of love.

The cats would not adapt well to indoor households but would be a great fit for families with barns or stables, where they can roam free and help control the rodent population, officials said.

The cats will be spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated before going to their new homes. They will also come with some special instructions, including a two-week "confinement period," where owners are instructed to keep cats in a safe enclosure so they can get used to their new surroundings.

If the cats are fed well during the confinement period, they will be more motivated to stick around once they are released, OCAS said.

Owners may also need to request a home visit from their veterinarian for regular medical care such as rabies vaccinations.

“This is a way to offer these cats a second chance for a natural life,” said Dr. Sandra Strong, director of OCAS. “We want to do everything we can to ensure the best possible outcome for any animal that enters our shelter. This life-saving program is a major step towards achieving that goal.”

Interested adopters can call Orange County Animal Services at 919-942-7387, menu option 3. Read more about caring for barn cats here.

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