Feral cats become blue-collar workers in Washington D.C.

[Jilly_in_VA]

Some feral cats in Washington, D.C. recently got a new gig: Rat control.

The Humane Rescue Alliance, or HRA, set out to rehome feral cats that shelters couldn’t take care of. Though it started as just a rehoming initiative, participants noticed that these outdoor cats deterred pests like rats. And the program is now officially called Blue Collar Cats.

“My neighborhood, like many neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., has rats that run around the garbage pails and out in front of the street,” says Washington Post reporter John Hudson. “It's an unpleasant situation for if you have guests coming into your home, they're going to dodge rats.”

Hudson adopted a 7-year-old Blue Collar Cat named Mrs. Rutherford. Mrs. Rutherford was set to be euthanized by a local shelter but gained a second lease on life through the program. And according to Hudson, Mrs. Rutherford is incredibly effective in slaying rats.

Because the cats in the program are feral and used to living outside, they typically cannot be brought inside by their new human companion. When someone applies for a Blue Collar Cat, they must purchase a dog crate to keep the cat in for the first six weeks. Throughout that time, the new owner brings food and water to the cat daily, building up familiarity and trust that the cat will be cared for. After six weeks, the cat is let out and will instinctually return to the house after acclimating.

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2023/08/29/blue-collar-feral-cats

This is very similar to our Barn Cat program at the Rockingham County SPCA. We loan the "habitation crates" for 6 weeks and send the cats out in pairs or trios because they work better that way. Now if the City of Harrisonburg would wise up and quit being snitty.

[Igel]

1. Good program.

But "participants noticed that these outdoor cats deterred pests like rats."

Really? They made this incredible discovery? Or maybe it's the reporter for whom this was novel information. Truly, "news."

[getagrip_already]

2. They should talk to sir larry about even foxes......

Rats are kitten play in some neighborhoods.

[magicarpet]

3. Some dogs too....

What is the best dog for catching rats?

The Top 10 Rat-Hunting Dogs
Rat Terrier.
Cairn Terrier.
Yorkshire Terrier.
Norfolk Terrier.
Jack Russell Terrier.
West Highland White Terrier.
Dachshund.
Miniature Schnauzer.

[bora13]

5. Jack is

[mercuryblues]

4. Atlantic city has been doing this fro decades

https://www.alleycat.org/our-work/trap-neuter-return/boardwalk-cats-project/meet-the-boardwalk-cats/

The hotels and guests complained about all the feral cats on the boardwalk. They were gathered up and well, you know.

The hotels and guests were far more grossed out by the rat and mouse infestation. A program was developed that neutered and vaccinated the cats when they "showed up." One ear would be clipped so when a new cat showed up, it would be collected, vaxed and neutered and returned. Several people go out during the week to feed and pet them. There are signs everywhere...do not feed or pet the cats.

[BComplex]

6. THIS is the most important post! The feral cats need to be neutered, so as not to have a feral cat

infestation down the road. Feral cats can have very terrible lives if they aren't being monitored and cared for in some way.

[mercuryblues]

8. exactly

There are more than enough strays/dumped cats to keep the population active and under control.

[Wounded Bear]

7. IIRC cats were first "domesticated" as defenders of granaries and other food storage...

Farmers keep cats around for the same reason, keeping rodents out of the animal feed bins.

Also natural enemies of foxes and rabbits.

[NickB79]

9. Shame about all the songbirds they slaughter

But I guess mechanical mousetraps that work better than feral cats aren't in fashion these days.

A single 5-gallon bucket, a stick and some peanut butter catches a dozen mice a night on my farm.

[Jilly_in_VA]

10. Surveys have shown

that they don't kill as many birds as you think they do. They're more interested in ground prey. I have two barn cats and I can attest to that.

[CatWoman]

11. K; R