Working Cats |

PCCC WORKING CATS PROGRAM SAVES LIVES!

Working cats are cats who are unsuited as adopted pets but purrfect cats for providing expert and natural mousing in your warehouse, business, farms, barns, brewery, nursery or garden. By providing a home for these cats, you are literally saving their lives!

PCCC only re-homes community cats in emergent danger as a last resort after all options and efforts at resolution are exhausted. Our position is that community cats are strongly bonded to their outdoor home and are safest where they live. Because of this strong bond, relocation is extremely stressful and inherently risky. Additionally, the increasingly limited resources of barns and other locations are fiercely competed for by many humane organizations and area cat rescues. However, there are special circumstances when it’s in the best interest of the cat to relocate and provide them with a safer and more stable life.

PCCC has many years of experience in relocation. The cats approved for relocation are completely vetted, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped and in good health. The cats purrsonalities are carefully are matched to the location to ensure the best possible outcome. We require an acclimation period which we organize and supervise as well as daily food, water, shelter and vet care as needed.

Spring, early Summer and Fall are the ideal times for placing cats during temperate weather to settle into their new homes as the cats must be crated to bond to their new surroundings. Placement during the dead of summer / winter will be considered if cooling/heating sources are available during acclimation. Barns/stables/sheds must be located at least 500 feet off roadways. The number of cats placed is based on the size of the area to be moused & number of existing cats. Existing cats must be fixed or we can help with this.

For more information, email: info@phillycats.org

~~~~~~Local Garden Cats and Shop Cats~~~~~~

What’s a garden without a cat? Philadelphia, home of the world famous Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Flower Show,
along with many display and historical gardens, is quite rightly considered the Garden Capital of America. Working cats provide both beauty and natural, invaluable mousing in the garden.

We strongly advocate only natural, organic gardening and farming methods for both humane and environmental reasons. Many cats die needlessly from chemical herbicides, pesticides and poisons. In a sad turn of events, a chemically poisoned mouse can also poison the cat who catches him.

Longwood Gardens, Chester County

One of the world’s premier display gardens, Longwood Gardens has many working cats who patrol the gardens as part of their Integrated Pest Management to maintain vigorous rodent control in return for food, shelter, and medical care. All cats were stray or feral cats and each cat has an assigned area of the garden and a human caretaker. The cats’ primary job is on the Rodent Control Task Force, but they also work as greeters, work supervisors and highly skilled catmint pruners in exchange for food, shelter and a health care plan.

Cats of Longwood Gardens

Bartram’s Garden, Southwest Philadelphia

Historic Bartram’s Garden is a true jewel on the banks of the Schuylkill River and one of only a handful of identified prehistoric locations in Philadelphia. Settled in 1648, it is also home to several cats who resolutely mouse the beautiful gardens. Working with Bartrams’ head gardener, PCCC undertook a TNRM project in 2006 at Bartrums’ and the adjacent Bartrum’s Village.