Item 3: APA! Barn Cats Program Presentation — original pdf

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Barn Cat Program APA! Barn Cat Program Overview APA!’s Barn Cat Program provides Travis County’s only consistent live outcome for a specific group of cats who cannot be adopted or safely returned outdoors. These cats are typically truly feral or unsocialized—they avoid human interaction, may be fearful or aggressive in indoor settings, and do not thrive in indoor home environments. Many are not eligible for TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) or SNR (Shelter-Neuter-Return) including: ● ● Zoning restrictions (e.g., high-density housing, highways) Lack of a safe return location When return or adoption aren’t viable options. APA!’s program offers a lifesaving, humane alternative by placing these cats in: ● Outdoor homes (barns, sheds, warehouses, etc.) ● With daily food, water, and shelter ● After a 2–4 week acclimation period and with adopter vetting and education Why this program exists The problem we’re solving • A small subset of cats entering Austin Animal Services and other shelters are not safe or appropriate for traditional indoor adoption (e.g., truly feral/fearful). • When TNR or SNR is not viable, these cats have no other live outcome. • Barn cat placement is a humane, managed alternative: it saves lives while reducing pressure on shelter housing and behavior resources. How this fits with community cat strategies ● ● ● ● ● Return is preferred whenever possible; barn placement is used when return is not feasible. Placements are screened and supported—this is not “release and hope.” Provides a humane outcome for cats who would otherwise be at high risk of euthanasia. Creates managed placements with caretaker responsibility (daily care + shelter). Relieves pressure on shelter space and behavior resources by moving the right population that is least likely to succeed as indoor pets. Barn Cat Eligibility “Barn” can include • Barns, sheds, stables • Warehouses / businesses • Workshops / garages • Other safe, ventilated enclosures Minimum eligibility (must meet all) This is not • Apparently healthy • Not declawed • History of living outside • Not a candidate for return • Dumping cats outside • A substitute for TNR/Return when return is possible • A placement for cats who can thrive as indoor pets Safeguards: how we minimize risk Medical + identification Home screening Acclimation + follow-up • Spay/neuter • Vaccines • Microchip • Parasite prevention • Ear-tipped • Caretaker commits to daily food + water • Safe shelter structure (barn/shed/etc.) • Avoid high-risk placements near busy roads • Clear expectations: acclimation + follow-up • Always send 2 cats • 2–4 week confinement (“restraint”) period • Education on safe release + feeding routines • Monitor for distress; re-route to foster eval when appropriate • Post-placement check-ins Austin Animal Services Intake & Barn Cat Programming Austin Animal Services remains APA's single largest transfer partner at 27.4% of all cat intake. The decline in raw numbers reflects AAS's reduced overall intake, not a change in APA's commitment to the partnership. AAC Transfers Declined With Their Intake AAC transfers to APA dropped 28% (1,842 → 1,326) from 2019 to 2025, but this mirrors AAC's own intake reduction. APA's capacity to help hasn't changed—there are simply fewer cats at AAC. 1,842 → 1,326 from AAC Appendix: common questions Q: Is this just “putting cats outside”? A: No. These are screened placements with daily care requirements, shelter, and a 2–4 week acclimation period. Q: What about safety risks (cars, predators, wildlife)? A: We screen homes (including road risk), require confinement before release, and provide adopter education and follow-up. Q: How do you tell feral cats from frightened house cats? A: We review any available history, document behavior indicators, and use observation/foster evaluation pathways when a cat’s status is unclear. Q: When is a cat NOT eligible? A: Examples include declawed cats, some significant medical limitations, and cats without outdoor history unless intentionally evaluated and supported.