Down on the Farm: The Story of Penny
- Helen Morrison, President, Board of Directors
Okay. Are you ready for cuteness??!! A nine year old boy welcomes a new cat into their barn by making up poems and songs and dances to share with her. What kitty could possibly resist that!!!
Having cats go to barns isn’t something our Shelter typically does. The risks are higher, of course. But occasionally we have a cat whose best option is a barn. Usually it is a cat that is just too feral to come to the Shelter. And it is a way to help them have at least a chance at a good life.
We have a very careful protocol, which our Barn Cat application spells out.
The applicants need to agree to good care, feeding, vet care.
They need to provide a safe space for the cat(s), where they can be kept inside, with good space, food, water, a litter box, bedding, and perhaps toys. This needs to go on for a month, so that the cat knows that this is now “home”, and won’t run off. To rush this, or even just let them loose right away, the odds are very high that the cat will run off and probably be taken by a predator. We don’t want that. We want the cat to have the very best chance at survival and a good home.
Over the years, we have probably found barn homes for about 7 cats. One such home, at a horse farm in another State, has been wonderful. My friend, Liz and husband, who also adopted two indoor pet kitties from us, knows just how to introduce and keep the new “ferals” safe.
At the end of last year, we received another excellent application for a barn cat. We didn’t have any in Shelter care that were appropriate at the time. But the Lyndon Pound was looking to find homes for some animals there, and one in particular, Penny, needed a home. Cindy Cady let me know that Penny was a bit fractious, and might do best as a barn cat. This sounded like it might be a perfect fit for the local Farm family, who had just applied.
- Helen Morrison, President, Board of Directors
Okay. Are you ready for cuteness??!! A nine year old boy welcomes a new cat into their barn by making up poems and songs and dances to share with her. What kitty could possibly resist that!!!
Having cats go to barns isn’t something our Shelter typically does. The risks are higher, of course. But occasionally we have a cat whose best option is a barn. Usually it is a cat that is just too feral to come to the Shelter. And it is a way to help them have at least a chance at a good life.
We have a very careful protocol, which our Barn Cat application spells out.
The applicants need to agree to good care, feeding, vet care.
They need to provide a safe space for the cat(s), where they can be kept inside, with good space, food, water, a litter box, bedding, and perhaps toys. This needs to go on for a month, so that the cat knows that this is now “home”, and won’t run off. To rush this, or even just let them loose right away, the odds are very high that the cat will run off and probably be taken by a predator. We don’t want that. We want the cat to have the very best chance at survival and a good home.
Over the years, we have probably found barn homes for about 7 cats. One such home, at a horse farm in another State, has been wonderful. My friend, Liz and husband, who also adopted two indoor pet kitties from us, knows just how to introduce and keep the new “ferals” safe.
At the end of last year, we received another excellent application for a barn cat. We didn’t have any in Shelter care that were appropriate at the time. But the Lyndon Pound was looking to find homes for some animals there, and one in particular, Penny, needed a home. Cindy Cady let me know that Penny was a bit fractious, and might do best as a barn cat. This sounded like it might be a perfect fit for the local Farm family, who had just applied.
Julia and I went to visit…and chat with the family…and see the set up. We made plans for a timeline with Penny. We set up a cat condo in the Milk Room, where Penny would stay for about a month. She would then come out into the Milk Room for a while, and then finally, be allowed out into the barn, to begin to explore and make herself familiar with her new expanded home.
Nine year old Walter, the son, took his Penny Care very seriously, helping feed her, tend to her litter box, and even reading to her, making up poems and songs and dances to entertain her.
On Jan. 12, Cindy brought Penny to the farm, and Penny was settled into her new spot.
It has been one of the best situations for a Barn Cat adoption.
Here is a diary of Penny’s journey so far. We are thrilled.
On Dec. 18, Laura and family sent in a Barn Cat Application to Kingdom Animal Shelter.
Immediately, the farm looked to be the kind of barn situation that would be top notch and safe as could be for a cat that needed such a placement. I made arrangements for a visit, to see the layout, and talk over Penny going to the family. We explored possible set ups with the family…and made a plan.
On January 12, 2025, Cindy. brought Penny to the Farm…and Penny was introduced to her new home and family.
January 12
We are so excited to meet Penny and help her get settled into her new home. I am going to put the final touches on her condo at noon and Cindy will be arriving at 12:30. Walter is looking forward to giving her treats and reading to her
And later that day….
Penny seems to be settling in well! She was hanging out in the second level taking a nap in the sun when I checked on her earlier this evening. She had eaten the treats Walter left for her on each level, and tolerated me petting her through the bars. She is so adorable. I will let you know how tonight goes!
Nine year old Walter, the son, took his Penny Care very seriously, helping feed her, tend to her litter box, and even reading to her, making up poems and songs and dances to entertain her.
On Jan. 12, Cindy brought Penny to the farm, and Penny was settled into her new spot.
It has been one of the best situations for a Barn Cat adoption.
Here is a diary of Penny’s journey so far. We are thrilled.
On Dec. 18, Laura and family sent in a Barn Cat Application to Kingdom Animal Shelter.
Immediately, the farm looked to be the kind of barn situation that would be top notch and safe as could be for a cat that needed such a placement. I made arrangements for a visit, to see the layout, and talk over Penny going to the family. We explored possible set ups with the family…and made a plan.
On January 12, 2025, Cindy. brought Penny to the Farm…and Penny was introduced to her new home and family.
January 12
We are so excited to meet Penny and help her get settled into her new home. I am going to put the final touches on her condo at noon and Cindy will be arriving at 12:30. Walter is looking forward to giving her treats and reading to her
And later that day….
Penny seems to be settling in well! She was hanging out in the second level taking a nap in the sun when I checked on her earlier this evening. She had eaten the treats Walter left for her on each level, and tolerated me petting her through the bars. She is so adorable. I will let you know how tonight goes!
February 5
Penny is doing great. It’ll be a month on Saturday that we’ve had her, and we are going to open her enclosure so she can start exploring the milk room. She really loves her wet food and treats. Walter has been enjoying visiting her and singing and dancing for her - he has a whole routine he likes to do for Penny, it’s very adorable.
April 4
Penny continues to be a lovely addition to the farm. She seems to enjoy exploring the milk room, and she has a few spots where she likes to sit around the room. When I go in to feed her, she emerges from her hiding spot when she hears the wet food can opening. Such a smart girl! Walter loves to visit her and sing her songs he makes up - she’s not so sure about this but is sweet enough to not actively protest. We are so looking forward to being able to open all the doors to the milk room and letting her explore more. I think she’s going to love being able to make her rounds in all the barns. She loves to lounge in the sun on top of the cat condo, and still frequently naps in her carrier.
There are, on occasion, cats that we hear of that are truly feral and in need of a safe and loving place. For these kitties, a barn situation can be a life-saver for them.
Penny is doing great. It’ll be a month on Saturday that we’ve had her, and we are going to open her enclosure so she can start exploring the milk room. She really loves her wet food and treats. Walter has been enjoying visiting her and singing and dancing for her - he has a whole routine he likes to do for Penny, it’s very adorable.
April 4
Penny continues to be a lovely addition to the farm. She seems to enjoy exploring the milk room, and she has a few spots where she likes to sit around the room. When I go in to feed her, she emerges from her hiding spot when she hears the wet food can opening. Such a smart girl! Walter loves to visit her and sing her songs he makes up - she’s not so sure about this but is sweet enough to not actively protest. We are so looking forward to being able to open all the doors to the milk room and letting her explore more. I think she’s going to love being able to make her rounds in all the barns. She loves to lounge in the sun on top of the cat condo, and still frequently naps in her carrier.
There are, on occasion, cats that we hear of that are truly feral and in need of a safe and loving place. For these kitties, a barn situation can be a life-saver for them.