How do you turn a cat into a barn cat? Help!

[horseloverinVA]

My friend had a young cat (maybe 3-4 months) show up at her home. Her husband says she can't keep her. I have a couple of cats in the past but have never really been a total "cat person" but now that I have a barn of my own I thought it would be good to get a cat. So I'd like to get her stray cat to keep her from going to animal control.

This cat showed up and is not skittish at all. She is very friendly and outgoing, loves people. My barn backs up to a residential area that I live in but is down the road from where my actual house is (like 1/2 mile)....so my question is....can this cat be taught to stay at the barn and be a barn cat and not go live at somebody's house? If so ...how?

I don't even know where to start...I've always had dogs!

[Jess6092]

I think it can be done, but make sure to get her fixed because they start to wonder if not. I would start by putting food and water in an enclosed area that she cannot get out of. Let it out while you are there, but correct it when it gets too far away, just by bringing it back by the scruff (if young). Then after about a week I would say you could just leave it out all the time. I would also say that it would be a good idea to get another kitten (if it is young) because if they have company they are more likely to stick around together. Just my idea on it, I am no expert! Good luck, don't forget to share pictures when you get her!!

[Alaskan Okie]

I agree with getting the kitty fixed. When we got our barn cat we actually got two kittens, they were born and raised in my Uncle's barn, so I don't know if this will work for all of them. We just brought our little ones to the barn and set up food, water, and a cozy place to sleep. Then we made a point to play with them and snuggle with them in the barn, everday. Ours were half wild, so we had to spend extra snuggle time. This is no guarantee of success. One of ours got into our back yard with our dogs, when we were gone, and was killed. But the other one is still there, almost 6 years later.

[horseloverinVA]

Yes my intention was to get the cat fixed but it may be a month before I can get it done. I guess I could get another cat, I'm just not a huge cat person, and don't need a lot of cats. But I don't guess 2 isn't that bad. I don't keep much thatd be cozy in my barn. There's hay and a couple blankets hanging up. I could build her a box like a dog house to sleep in, and put some blankets in it.

[KrisRN2005]

I agree as well. Ditto making sure they are fixed..
We had someone drop off 2 kittens outside our barn. I used my tack room to confine them for a few days as well so they would get the idea that food and water would always be here.
My daughter, who is 6 enjoyed playing with them everyday while I fed the horses. She did a great job socializing them!!
They are doing great!
We built a big cat box that has a great blanket in it for the winter and they can be found sleeping there most of the time.
Good luck to you and your new edition!

[gbarmranch]

We have used a crate before to keep them in at night - until they are old enough to stick around on their own... usually, within a few weeks, they won't leave where their food and sleep area is if they have been fixed..

[calicocalgirl]

Feed 'em & Fix 'em....they stick around forever...

[Nikknock]

There is a saying of sort that if you feed a cat for three days in the same place that you are stuck with them for life. The saying might not be exact, but the meaning behind it is. Got stuck with 4 cats like that and I was only meaning to feed one go figure.