Unadoptable cats get ninth life through PACC program - KVOA | KVOA.com | Tucson, Arizona

The Pima Animal Care Center started a new program that puts feral cats to work.

It is called the "Working Cat Program." Cats not able to be adopted are placed in locations such as warehouses, barns, sheds and ranches. The purpose is to allow them to hunt rodents in the area, while being provided a place to live.

Pima Animal Care Center’s Senior Cat Care Lead, Tyler Bator, said this gives cats another chance.

“When we are unable to put a cat up for adoption because of aggression or socialization issues we are able to place them into this program,” said Bator.

Bator explained the program is funded by private donor, Bonnie Kay. He said she donated about $120,000.

A family in Benson received a cat named Skeeter on Wednesday. Chris Frost said that her family needs their property miced.

“When you have rodents, you have snakes,” said Frost. “And we have children and dogs.”

The Frost family has received five cats from the program.

“I see this as a really good way to not only benefit us, but to also save cats that would otherwise be euthanized,” she said.

Since the program began in October, there have been 85 cats placed.

Bator said adoption fees are waived and staff can deliver the cats free of charge. He said that owners must provide shelter, food, water and medical care for the cats. Owners must also adopt a minimum of two cats.

For more information about the Working Cats Program, you can call the PACC line at (520) 724-5983 or email [email protected].

For help with an existing feral cat colony in your neighborhood, click here.