The Arizona Humane Society is putting their special brood of feral felines to work, offering an innovative solution for businesses and homeowners plagued by pests. The 'Working Cats Program' provides an eco-friendly alternative to traditional pest control by utilizing the natural predatorial instincts of outdoor cats. In an interview with FOX 10 Phoenix, Kayla Weber of AHS explained, "Our working cats are not suitable for indoor living, so they aren't able to go up for general adoption."
For a nominal adoption fee, these non-snuggly cats are placed in settings where they can roam and control the local rodent population. "They help with pest control," Weber shared with Arizona Humane Society's website. No chemicals or traps are needed; it's just the cats doing what they do best. Each feline comes spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped — ready for duty just like every other cat adopted from the AHS. Though these felines may not crave a cuddle, they do request basic necessities: shelter, food, water, and a touch of care.
Businesses such as breweries, warehouses, and farms are finding these purr-fect workers to be invaluable assets. Not only do they serve a practical purpose, but adopting from the program also saves lives by finding homes for cats that would be otherwise hard to place. As mentioned on the society's website, the program is "an outlet for hard-to-place cats already in our shelter who meet specific criteria."
Prospect employers in the Phoenix area can apply to adopt a pair of working cats, who, beyond their furry facade, carry an economic value — reportedly costing an average of $1,300 to care for each pair. Nevertheless, AHS only charges an adoption fee of $25 per cat to provide them a new lease on life and livelihood. For those located within a 25-mile radius of the shelter, the society offers delivery for an additional fee, while pickups at their Sunnyslope Campus are free of charge. Anticipating diversity in their workforce, AHS cannot accommodate requests for cats based on specific traits such as gender or color; they provide each adopter with the necessary education and support to ensure the cats adjust well to their new roles.
To "hire" your first working cats or for further inquiries, interested parties are advised to fill out a request form or contact the shelter for assistance. More details on the program and application process can be gleaned directly from AHS's Working Cats Program page. While these cats may not be your typical household pet, they are still in need of a place to call home and a job to fulfill — and they might just be the perfect workers for those in search of a non-toxic pest control method.
