Special to the Aroostook Republican
On a beautiful farm in Woodland stands a large barn and the home of Rick and Tara Taggett and their two small children. The Taggetts own 20 horses, two dogs, and 25 cats. Yes, you read it right—25 cats. They’re all barn cats, and most of them came from Caribou Pet Rescue.
contributed photo
These beautiful female cats were rescued as feral, but through their foster family’s patience and gentle care, Martha and Madelyn were adopted. Feral cats make excellent “barn cats” and earn their keep by creating a rodent-free environment. Barn cats are a safe alternative to toxic chemicals and poisons traditionally used to control mice and rats at a farm or food storage operation.
Barn cats earn their keep by keeping barns and outbuildings free of rodents that can deplete the grain and feed supply. Taggett said his cats bring in some pretty large rats and drop them at the barn door. “I have no mice anymore, and they’ll catch the occasional squirrel or rabbit as well.” Taggett says he can store his grain in bags on pallets in the barn now without any evidence of marauding rodents.
Barn cats are a safe alternative to toxic pesticides and poisons. They eliminate the worry that young children or house pets might be harmed by these chemicals. Cats are also effective and very easy on the eyes.
“Some of our cats are feral, which means they are born wild since they did not have any contact with humans as kittens,” Taggett told me. “And some of them were just poorly behaved, judged not to be suitable for regular adoption,” he added. “I just think they didn’t like being in a cage.”
For whatever reason, the cats that ended up at the Taggett’s are lucky cats, indeed. They are fed and watered every day. They have warm, comfortable, spacious accommodations, they have lots of company, they are spayed or neutered and immunized, and they are free from parasites. What more could a cat ask for?
“Many of the cats have become ‘human-tolerant.’ They’ll come as close as four to six feet away when I’m pouring out the food,” he said. “The friendlier ones will follow me around when I’m tending to the horses.”
Taggett emphasized that wild cats will not attack humans. “I wouldn’t have them around my little kids if that were true. The cats just run away from them. I will say that the cats sure keep my two German Shepherds in line,” he added with a chuckle.
Caribou Pet Rescue can provide barn cats to you free of charge once we determine your barn or building can provide sufficient shelter. Your barn cat will be spayed or neutered, immunized and treated for all parasites prior to adoption. You must agree to feed and water your cat every day. Starving a cat is NOT an effective way to encourage hunting. A well-fed, healthy cat will be a much better hunter as this behavior is instinctive.
June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. To celebrate our furry feline friends, Caribou Pet Rescue is keeping the low $25 adult cat (over six months of age) adoption price throughout the month of June. But on July 1, the price for all felines will revert to $75. Where else can you save fifty dollars and make a loyal, happy and loving friend? This special $25 price includes our cost of a leukemia test, treatment of all parasites including ear mites, worms and fleas, spay/neuter surgery, rabies and age-appropriate distemper shots. That’s about $130 worth of medical care for only $25.
Also, both North Country Animal Hospital and Presque Isle Animal Hospital offer CPR adopters a free wellness health appointment within 30 days of adoption.
CPR is currently experiencing a shortage of cat litter. We use the plain litter for kittens and clumping litter for adult cats. Please drop off your donations at the shelter during our public hours. You can also purchase items at Paradis Shop ’n Save and drop them in our donation cart by the front door.
Thank you for your support through donations and volunteerism. Caribou Pet Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
Our shelter is located at 6 Richards Road in Caribou. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 488, Caribou, ME 04736. Our telephone number is 498-3800.
We mistakenly reported our Web site last week, but it is not yet up and running. Please visit www.petfinder.com/shelters/ME67.html to see our adorable, adoptable pets. Remember—Neuter and Spay! It’s the ONLY way!