Working cat windfall

FLORIDA CATS AGREE: IT’S A GREAT GIG IF YOU CAN GET IT

When Osceola County Animal Services worked with code enforcement officials on a challenging hoarding case with 118 cats and kittens in need, the organization grappled with how to house all of them. “Even staggering the intake to 5–10 cats at a time, per an agreement with code enforcement officials, the homeowner and the neighbors, was overwhelming,” says Lisa Goldstein, Best Friends community cat coordinator in Florida.

Meanwhile, the shelter was receiving numerous requests for working cats, kitties who act as rodent deterrents in barns, warehouses and elsewhere in exchange for guaranteed food, water and comfortable shelter. Lisa says, “The shelter was hesitant

BEST FRIENDS MAGAZINE November/December 2020