New Cats on the Farm!

We love to give all animals a fair shot, but when the rat population explodes... it's time to do something. A nearby city has a program that captures, fixes, vaccinates and chips community (feral) cats then rehomes them on farms to be used as working cats (barn cats). These cats are given a second chance at life considering that in most cities all the feral cats that are captured are killed. We love that idea of giving these cats a place to live and to serve a purpose.
New Braunfels Community Cat Coalition
www.nbcats.org/
/ newbraunfelscommunitycats
Mission
To be a community resource for the greater New Braunfels area regarding animal welfare by educating the public regarding feral and community cats and supporting all efforts to humanely reduce the free-roaming cat population through Trap-Neuter-Return.
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[@constancemacallister2389]

Its such a good program that allows otherwise unadoptable cats to be given homes as working animals. We have such a program where I live in CA and it saves so many feral cats from euthanasia. Thanks for the great video.

[@daddykirbs]

+Constance MacAllister my pleasure :)

[@1forthepeople969]

When living west of Weatherford, TX, I often crossed paths with a smaller solid black cat when I drove down my 3/4mile driveway. One evening I saw he had been somehow hurt, limping and a gash across his one eye. That winter he took up residence in the old dairy barn. I started to set out diced cook meat and fresh water about every 3days for him, not wanting him to get dependent on it. At first took him a long time to check it out, so skiddish. Then after several times he would come after the sound of my door closing. I never approached the cat. This lasted all through the winter. Then one decent day at April's beginning, I saw him go by the dining room window while I was having morning coffee. He went into.my neighbors cattle field where they fed the cows grain. Shortly later he came back by with a large dead rat hanging out his mouth and took it behind the bush out my kitchen door to eat it. Good cat! At the same time the next morning as the previous day, I observed the same thing. He took the same path and came back with another rat! Very very good cat! Now my friends may have voiced about loosing an ocassinal bird from my bird feeding area, but it's like you said Blake, it's all about checks and balances. The cat catching rats, snakes and eating them far outweighed the loss of a bird or two. I enjoyed this video. Thanks for sharing.

[@daddykirbs]

+1 For The People Great story! Thank you :)

[@1forthepeople969]

Thank you Blake. I think it is too and a true one. Just a part of what has made my life worth living. The fantastic significant 'insignificant' moments that we choose to notice in life or not. Everything in life has a purpose whether we recognize it or not. I've never had an indoor pet cat, the natural hunters they are, 'cuz I've always had birds and dogs. However have always fed the wild cats once in a while to keep them around to.get the vermin. Like you said, it's checks and balances. Thumbs up.

[@heathercarter9741]

Love to see you picked up so many new additions to your home! We have a similar program in our area and it works out just fantastic. We have a working greenhouse about a quarter mile from our home that utilized cats as pest control, so they often come and hang out on our porch because we feed the strays in our area to keep them out of the rubbish cans (which can be super messy!) They do a wonderful job ensuring our local greenhouse has plenty to offer the neighborhood when spring comes :)

[@daddykirbs]

Gotta take care of the predators :)

[@wtglb]

Glad Pumpkin is home, great story!

[@daddykirbs]

+wtglb We are very happy!

[@ltlbnsgarden]

That is an amazing story about pumpkin! All the cats are just too darn cute 😊

[@daddykirbs]

+Little Bean's Garden thank you :)

[@aries37]

The county I live in has a program like this were some of the cats that are trapped neutered and released (TNR) are given to farms as working animals. The kitten and cat problem is so bad here they actually have a "CAT SEASON" when the shelters get over run with kittens and nursing momma cats Spay and Neuter folks. Its the only solution.

[@daddykirbs]

+aries37 I agree.

[@tittylover6997]

You should get collars for the cats so what happened to pumpkin won't happen again

[@dollyperry3020]

It would have to be a break away collar. They can easily get caught on things and strangle cats on a farm!

[@chapplin1236]

They are micro chipped so if it happens to them like pumpkin the shelter will contact them to pick there cats up.thats what is good about micro chipping any animal.

[@daddykirbs]

+Dolly Perry exactly. We don't put collars on the cats because of that.

[@wildchookMaryP]

LOL Smokey will probably end up on the porch looking pretty for the family and visitors. Happy to hear that Pumpkin is back. Great story.

[@daddykirbs]

+wildchook (Mary) I hope they get comfortable with they farm! ... as long as they stay outta da house lol

[@TheSaraGames]

I am a huge believer of chipping cats, no matter what. Our current cat, Sushi, is chipped even though she is strictly an indoor cat (apartment 22 floors up). The reason has to do with our previous cat. He was an outdoor cat, chipped, when he went missing one December. This is a Southern Ontario, so winters can be bad. He ended up over 11km from our home. An incredibly kind woman slowly befriended Boots (always skiddish around people) over the period of a month. Got close enough to pick him up and get him to a vet. The chip worked. Three months after he vanished he came home to us. Oh, and Sushi, a rescued kitten brought to a shelter. Then to a local pet store where Sushi was instantly attached to my husband in the window. That story is adorable but not for now.

[@daddykirbs]

+TheSaraGames haha what a great story! I'm so glad the chip worked out for you guys.

[@DR-zt9gs]

I am very happy to hear that you adopted all the cats to your farm. Glad, too, that you found Pumpkin. Lots of well meaning people see cats out and about and assume they are abandoned. It is in a cat's nature to roam. One of mine went missing for 3 weeks. I suspect he got chased by coyotes and then some one found him and took him in. When he finally found his way home, he was extremely hungry and happy to find a corner in the house to curl up. Again, you guys done good!!!

[@daddykirbs]

+D Reiss thank you! I'm glad you story had a happy ending too :)

[@leatriceswayywatkins9662]

I love cats, and so glad you rescued 4 of them that many might find to be not family worthy! I have 6 cats, and I have no rodent problems, nor do I have a bird problem in my garden! much respect to you!!

[@daddykirbs]

Thank you :)

[@mizsterious]

Thank You guys for caring and loving these furry guys enough to give them a home, working or not, they usually are the forgotten. Giving them a chance to be who they are, in return, they will give you what you guys need. I pray deeply for your new additions on the farm, they all touched my heart. Thank you for what you're doing, for caring and homing these beauty Furry friends. Keep loving all those Barn and Farm friends! You guys rock! Glad to see Pumpkin back, what a super story, fills my heart, Welcome Back Home Pumpkin!! Be Kind, Enjoy, Love each other!

[@daddykirbs]

+miz sterious pumpkin does have an amazing story! I wish he could tell us of his adventures :)

[@TheEmptynester]

Sorry about your past cats. I have 2 that were left behind by neighbors. My daughter found Silk in a dumpster. And Reba we adopted like you did. They are all good mouser. Silk and Reba the best. They also take care of moles. Silk is a bird cat she loves to rescue baby's that fall out of the nest and bring them to me. And they all get along and respect my chickens. I am glad you found more. You will love them all.

[@daddykirbs]

+TheEmptynester planting Seeds of Hope I hope they all stay. It's good to hear about Silk and Reba :)

[@danhamakua9757]

Woudnt be a farm without a cat/s.

[@daddykirbs]

+dan Hamakua I agree :)

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

They are very healthy looking cats; Teddy and Lizzy kinda look like the bobcats that have been hanging around my micro farm for the past few months. It is so awesome that you are giving these cats a home and a good life. Smokey looks like he really appreciates being saved. I am so glad you found Pumpkin again! Lulu looks like my cat, Dylan.

[@daddykirbs]

Thank you :) We are happy to give them a second chance here on the farm.

[@joansmith3492]

I see your cats ears a tipped. I had a feral cat with a tipped ear. She came around for 6 yrs (I feed her and kept a heated pad for her in winter). I think the coyotes got her. I would love to have 2 more but I live in a neighborhood and some people don't like outside cats (even if neutered)

[@daddykirbs]

Correct, there are people who will trap, poison and shoot cats. I don't get it if they aren't causing problems.

[@PISQUEFrancis]

some people fear cats for no good reason, some people hates cats and some people hate dogs, cats or whatever .... just seeing the cats or dogs, seems to infuriate them to no end....

[@jden250]

Adorable kitties!

[@daddykirbs]

+Psycho Nerva thank you :)

[@CorduroyCats]

It'll be nice to see the cats in videos once they have the run of the farm. It's good fortune that your wife found Pumpkin! He's so cute that I doubt he would have been there long! 🐱

[@daddykirbs]

I agree. Pumpkin is a great looking cat! He's a bit feisty but good looking LOL I look forward to seeing the cats enjoy the farm too.

[@MustangSally98]

Great job! And the cats get to live a great life! Tip-Always cover a trap with a towel or sheet if there is a feral cat inside. It keeps them calm and quiet when you transport them.

[@daddykirbs]

Thanks for that valuable tip!

[@MustangSally98]

Blake Kirby you are welcome! Works for any cat when they are in a cage or trap. House cats that will “cry’ all the way to a vet and back will calm down immediately when covered. Thanks for giving these cats a chance to be cats. No cats should have to live their lives in a cage, or be euthanized because they are not adoptable

[@LYRIXSOUL]

My 2 yr old giggled through all this he loves cats.We are actually going to adapt a dog and some cats as well. Especially the rats that are HUGE here and flying roaches lol.

[@daddykirbs]

+Ro I'm glad your 2 yr old liked it. I have a friend that has a 3 yr old that cheers for my tortoise who climbs down the stairs. He likes to watch it over and over. God stuff!

[@daddykirbs]

+Blake Kirby good stuff :)

[@Bearworf1]

Very hard to keep cats on the farm with all the Fox, Coyotes and dogs. I have been feeding a feral cat for over a year in my garage no less. but it will not come around you and very rarely do I ever see it. One good thing is there has been a drastic reduction in the vole population. Once in awhile I find rodent body parts around as if the cat id proving its worth. Excellent video! Thanks, Steve

[@daddykirbs]

Thank you :)

[@bdomeier121]

I love everything that your channel is about. it gives me faith that there are good people out there living life the way it should be. You are very inspiring. Keep up the great work!

[@daddykirbs]

+Bradley Domeier I'm glad to hear that my content is encouraging to you :)

[@terribethreed8464]

Great story about your cat's. I wish all counties & states had programs like yours & one of your viewers said they have in their county. Dog's also should have programs Luke that. You have a wonderful farm ethic.

[@madeleinebaier3896]

from the Crazy Cat Lady in #418 who would have more than one cat if the damn landlord would allow it(!!!!!!), glad to hear the story of Pumpkin! wow what a happy ending! while I was watching this on my smartphone, my beloved companion Esther heard the meowing and came over to me with a puzzled look on her face. I assured her that it's a recording, sweetheart, and she settled right down. I think she likes having me all to herself!

[@daddykirbs]

+Madeleine Baier ha ha, she was getting jealous :)

[@madeleinebaier3896]

Blake Kirby She sure was!

[@evephillips6701]

What an adventure 'pumpkin' had..found in the nick of time..I used to have a cat many years ago..now I have a jack Russel who is a handful..Nice share good to see Luke.👍🐔😼

[@daddykirbs]

+Eve Phillips the Jack Russell will run the rats or too!

[@JandjacresNet]

*HAHA* That hiss. We have 2 "yard cats", as we call them, and two that generally stay indoors, but have few and short jaunts outside (their choice). Seems to do a decent job, but at times we do want to put them in the shed for an extended time, to hunt out the unwelcome guests.

[@daddykirbs]

Put 'em to work! :)

[@subtleTwists]

I like Izzy! Oops! I meant SMOKEY! Hard to believe he was feral though...he interacts very well with you, very friendly.

[@daddykirbs]

Smokey is a sweetheart.

[@ltailor5349]

Кошки - очень милые и полезные человеку животные. Приятно видеть что вы взяли к себе на ферму целых три кошки😸

[@PopleBackyardFarm]

I love our barn cats that come inside the house everyday but hey they do a good job

[@subtleTwists]

I haven't watched enough yet to know his name....but that little boy is adorable!!!

[@clifflee5404]

I subbed for the cats lol.

[@wizardangel]

Kitty has kept the snakes away too ` Along with spiders ,,Barn Cats are Heroes around here

[@daddykirbs]

+wizardangel I Do find fewer snakes when there are active cats on the farm. It may be because the food source is gone.

[@rakshaandreassen5472]

I work with feral cats and have rescued hundreds over the years. Here is my suggestion, though not needed anymore. You should have covered the cages the cats were brought in. It provides them shelter. Also the little girl was loving and cute, but she was scaring the cats. Not a good idea to stand over their head. Just sit on the ground and let the cats come to you to check you out! Very important to call each cat by their name so they respond to you. Glad they are all microchipped! A well fed cat makes the best hunter! They might bring you their preys to you as gifts rather than eating them. Provide l-lysine and real vitamin C with their food and it will keep them healthy. Thank you for giving these cats a safe haven! Check out various feral cats websites for guidance on cat behavior and nutrition. Just google feral cats. 👍👍👏👏❤❤

[@daddykirbs]

+Raksha Andreassen thank you for all that advice!

[@rakshaandreassen5472]

Blake Kirby this is an excellent source for feral cats www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care-category/cat-care/colony-care/seasonal-tips/

[@2qlrn273]

Acclimation of cats to a new location should last at the very least, 6 weeks. Longer is better. Two weeks barely allows them to begin to relax there . . . they need to be totally at ease with the new sights, smells, sounds, & caregiver/s . . . before being released. This may be why 4 cats left after an acclimation period of merely 2 weeks. They likely tried to go back to their familiar locations . . .

[@catalinoancea6601]

Great video! Have a wonderful Sunday Mr. Kirby!

[@daddykirbs]

+Catalin Oancea thank you :)

[@GnosticAtheist]

They "chase" the rats away. Permanently. ;)

[@daddykirbs]

Yep, then lick their lips. LOL

[@laurie1536]

Jesus..the constant cackling, quacking, squawking, honking of all the damn poultry would drive me insane. LOL

[@daddykirbs]

sometimes drives me insane too. The geese have a new home now :)

[@laurie1536]

I actually love geese. I have a 19 yr. old white chinese gander that I found as a wee gosling, his companion died last year at ago 20+ but since he s a human imprint bird he is happy just paling around with his humans. 2 geese are not very noisy but multiples are. haha

[@QuixLand]

Great video..!! I love cats.. and all animals really. One day soon, I hope to have a very small homestead of my own. Have had 4 to 5 acre places before.. so can't wait.!! I will have cats to keep the rodents down.. But nothing else bigger than a goat. I want a place big enough for my two sons to have room if they want to put a tiny house on the property along with me. jo

[@daddykirbs]

+QuixLand I Love the idea of family being on the homestead in small homes :)

[@villemononen5303]

It's just lovely, thank you!

[@daddykirbs]

+Ville Mononen thank you :)

[@funkrepublik915]

Glad you found pumpkin back. Those cats are so cute. I like to admire pets but I don't like to keep them. Same treatment I give to women...hahaha..

[@daddykirbs]

Haha

[@dollyperry3020]

Cats have always been a big deal in my life...on farm and off!

[@daddykirbs]

+Dolly Perry :)

[@user-ki4mv5md7d]

pleas record a vedio about chokins I love the chikins

[@01aharley]

Nice video, can't wait to see what those cats do out in the real world

[@daddykirbs]

+Matthew me too. I hope they stay :)

[@shashakeeleh5468]

Great kitties! I've had lots of cats, and as you've learned, they do not like to stay on the ground; they like to perch up high so they can survey everything. What wonderful timing that you got Pumpkin back! That's amazing! BTW, about your little goat at the beginning of the video, is it an African Pigmy goat? Sure looks like one. Anyway, glad you went to rescue for the cats. I wish more people would do that. Re: Wind - It's windy as all getout down here on the Coast. Are you getting the same? I took some monofilament fishing line that's real stretchy and wrapped it around some of my plants to keep stems together so they wouldn't get whipped to death.

[@daddykirbs]

+shashakeeleh yes lots of wind! Cali, the goat, came from a mixed herd of Nigerian and Nubian Pygmy :)

[@shashakeeleh5468]

Wind finally dying down. Those goats can be such good animals. Smart too. I caught one outside of his pen one day, he'd jumped the wall. I pointed my arm in direction of the pen and said, "You get back inside there right now!" He jumped back over the wall, and went on about his business. Wish I could train one of my cats to do that. No chance.

[@daddykirbs]

It would be nice to train all animals like that LOL

[@haroldsmith1532]

I had a few barn cats one was a mean old tom he did his job though he would leave his kill on the front porch but you couldn't Touch him he would take your hand off unfortunately he didn't make it through the winter I had to bury him yesterday

[@daddykirbs]

+Harold Smith oh I'm so sorry for your loss :(

[@haroldsmith1532]

+Blake “Daddykirbs” Kirby Thank you

[@jknoppe]

It would seem GPS trackers would be effective in your situation. Not only as a training tool (those that stray to far form home need more time in the box), but also as a way of knowing the fates of the long overdue mouser. I have two outdoor cats with GPS and can track their movements (up to 2 mile) on my phone. Both are fairly consistent in there 1/2 mile routes each night. I was concerned about the size, color, and sound the collar and GPS made giving them away to larger predators. This was easily settled with smaller collars and a color that matched their coat, and a small GPS that was tied into the collar (not the hanging type that dangles and makes noise). I spray painted the GPS sensor to match their coat. Each of my tracker were $25. In your case, unfortunately, with your turnover, you may be able to reuse some GPS tags.

[@vangel431]

I'm ready for an update on how new cats are doing. :)

[@daddykirbs]

ok :)

[@mollysgreenacres9237]

we have success with the cats but they are strays and breed alot. glad your cat is back. they never bother the chickens.

[@daddykirbs]

+Mollys GreenAcres we like getting the cats from the shelter... no kittens :)

[@leilanik3333]

The rats we have would tear the cats apart. Must be all the good vegetables in the garden. I like using dogs for ratting. Its really easy to train them.

[@daddykirbs]

Some dogs work great for that. What kinds do you have or hoping to get?

[@leilanik3333]

Mine are actually pitbull terriers. Yes they make great ratters. any terrier will do the job if trained . You just need to get a pet rat put it in a cage and hide it. When the dog finds it praise them. Terriers will naturally do it. I have pitbull because of cougars and coyotes taking my livestock. Then one day noticed them digging rats. With them it only takes one chomp .

[@daddykirbs]

Alexa Burnette One of my favorite breeds :)

[@tiny2248]

do the cats not go after the chicks on the farm?

[@tiny2248]

Aqib Razaq good to hear that the mommas can stand up to the cats because I've been thinking about getting a cat for my barn but I don't want to loose chick's to any predator

[@daddykirbs]

+tiny2248 haven't yet :)

[@smalltownplaya712]

pumpkin story is wicked

[@skatefast10202]

What breed is Pumpkin? I got a cat that looks the same just a bit smaller

[@daddykirbs]

I'm not sure what he is really. I call him a Tabby cat, but I'm not sure if that's correct.

[@skatefast10202]

Ohh well, Thanks anyways.

[@mohammadaluthainah402]

Just an advice ... Put a caller on pumpkin so if anyone pick him up will know who is belong to!

[@daddykirbs]

+Mohammad Aluthainah collars are a risk to the cats. They can get caught up and be strangled. Perhaps I can find some that are designed to break away.

[@mohammadaluthainah402]

Blake Kirby An identification chip maybe?! Just something that identified you precious ones😉 Just saying!

[@mohammadaluthainah402]

Blake Kirby It's just an advice or a suggestion that's all! It's up to you my friend! Take it I'm honored! Leave it ... Respect!

[@daddykirbs]

Mohammad Aluthainah Thank you :) They are all chipped.

[@rakshaandreassen5472]

Curious how the cats are doing?

[@daddykirbs]

Hanging in there! I'll address this in the Q&A video coming soon.

[@rakshaandreassen5472]

Blake Kirby please look up Rescue Remedy for pets on Amazon or at your local vitamin shop! It is a natural flower essence and very safe to use. Put 4 drops in their food 3 times a day and also in their water dish. This is per cat. You can put it on dry food also. It calms the cats and helps with the stress. This is good for all the animals! You can get the regular one for people! Check out Amazon! When it is put in food, it takes some time to work. If put directly on tongue or rubbed on inside flap of the ear, it works quicker!!

[@daddykirbs]

Raksha Andreassen Thank you :)

[@fayemartin465]

thats a good name for that grey cat

[@daddykirbs]

Which one? Pumpkin?

[@BrandonBenYosef]

At 9:46 your where about to get the skippity paps

[@vikaaslakshman7966]

dont your cats attack chickens

[@daddykirbs]

not the big chickens. They are very interested in the chicks but we don't let them get close.

[@weetreebonsai]

tweeted

[@leroysmith8083]

I sub

[@chasegioffreda6856]

why not just have them live with you

[@seidigriffith2690]

I believe in biological control and not chemical control👍 I have 2 cats

[@BabyKinderfrance]

Nice video 😀😀😀😀 HAPPY DAY 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

[@daddykirbs]

Thank you :)

[@sweetheartsmom]

My Rat Terrier kills way more rats and mice than my cats ever have; I get at least 1 rat per day dead and headless on my front porch

[@daddykirbs]

+Tracy Bruring they are great dogs for that! I have 7 dogs... don't want anymore lol

[@sweetheartsmom]

7!!! What's one more lol

[@daddykirbs]

1 more is too many! LOL