Working Whiskers Cat Adoption Program

At the Ottawa Humane Society, we strive to find each and every animal that comes into our shelter a safe and loving home. As an open admission shelter, the OHS takes in cats where placement in a typical home isn’t an option but would do well as a working whiskers cat. Once these cats have been assessed this way, their options become limited. However, we believe in finding them alternative homes, by giving them jobs as working whiskers cats.

Working whiskers cats are unsuitable for a traditional home environment for behaviour reasons, including healthy feral junior or adult cats, and healthy social adult cats with a history of preferring to live outside.

All cats are thoroughly assessed both medically and behaviourally to ensure they are good candidates for the Working Whiskers Cat Program.

All working whisker cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, treated for common intestinal worms and external parasites (e.g. fleas), and tested for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus (FELV and FIV).

There is no adoption fee, but donations towards the cost of spay/neuter and other medical treatments for working whiskers cats are accepted.

All working whisker cats will be administered their initial vaccinations at the OHS, but boosters will be required. Following the adoption you will be responsible for regular veterinary care, keeping your cats’ vaccinations up to date, and for monitoring and providing veterinary care for any health concerns that may arise.

A working whiskers cat requires shelter in a permanent heated building or structure like a barn, warehouse, stable or garage where they will be safe. Daily food and water must be provided, as well as any future medical care needed. Learn more about a working whiskers cat’s needs.

Provide regular cat care, including veterinary costs, food, water and a heated outdoor shelter.

Safe suitable locations and housing away from major intersections and busy traffic, with an indoor shelter that provides appropriate warmth in extreme weather. Such places include:

• Barns;
• Stables;
• Auto repair shops;
• Wood working shops;
• Wineries;
• Breweries;
• Plant nurseries;
• Storage facilities;
• Warehouses that do light manufacturing; 
• And more.

Instructions and tips to help working whisker cats adjust to their new environment. Working Whisker cats that are:

• In good health and who have had a general exam by a vet;
• Spayed or neutered and microchipped;
• Tested for feline leukemia (FELV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV); and
• Dewormed and vaccinated for rabies and feline respiratory viruses and panleukopenia.

You will need an area where the cat can be safely contained for the acclimation period, which may be up to four weeks. Make sure the cat has warm blankets and a place to hide.