For some cats, the perfect home isn’t a sofa – it’s a farmyard, stable yard, garden centre, warehouse or other outdoor setting.
Mayhew is appealing to landowners, farmers, smallholders, equestrian centres, garden centres, warehouses and other businesses with secure outdoor space to consider offering a home to one of its Working Cats – independent cats that wouldn’t thrive in a traditional pet home but flourish in safe outdoor environments.
The appeal comes as new figures from Mayhew reveal that Working Cats are waiting significantly longer than other cats to find the right home. So far this year, Working Cats have spent an average of 178 days in the charity’s care before being rehomed, compared with 44 days for other cats – an average of 134 days longer. Although interest in the programme continues to grow, Working Cat enquiries still make up fewer than 3% of all cat adoption applications, highlighting the need for more suitable homes.
Working Cats are cats that wouldn’t thrive in a traditional pet home and instead need a safe environment where they can live more independently. With access to shelter, regular food and fresh water, they are free to roam, explore and express their natural behaviours. The term “Working Cat” reflects the lifestyle these cats are best suited to. While their natural presence may help discourage rodents, the programme is ultimately about allowing each cat to thrive in the environment that suits them best.
Two cats currently looking for their perfect home are Ferb and Candace, a brother and sister who arrived at Mayhew as strays after being found living in an abandoned garden.
With little known about their background, Ferb and Candace have struggled to settle into cattery life and aren’t especially interested in making friends with people just yet. What they do love is each other – the energetic pair enjoy playing together and would thrive in a home with plenty of space to find their paws. Like Mayhew’s other Working Cats, they’re looking for a safe, sheltered base alongside outdoor space to explore. Ferb and Candace are just two of several Working Cats currently waiting for the right home through Mayhew’s programme.
Every Working Cat rehomed by Mayhew is health checked, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before moving to a new home. The charity also provides guidance and ongoing support to help adopters settle their new cat safely into its surroundings.
Georgina Conti, Head of Cattery at Mayhew, said:
“Every cat deserves a home where it can thrive. While many of the cats in our care make wonderful family pets, others are much happier living a more independent lifestyle. Our Working Cat programme recognises that every cat is different and matches them with environments where they can feel safe, secure and be themselves.
“Working Cats often wait much longer for the right home simply because fewer people know this option exists. You don’t need acres of land – just a secure outdoor space with shelter. By opening up more opportunities, whether that’s a farm, stable yard, garden centre or a warehouse right here in London, we can give these cats the chance to live the life that suits them best.”
Suitable Working Cat homes include farms, smallholdings, stables, equestrian centres, garden centres, plant nurseries, vineyards, orchards, warehouses and other businesses that can provide shelter, regular food, fresh water and a safe outdoor environment.
Anyone interested in offering a home to a Working Cat is encouraged to contact Mayhew’s Adoptions Team to discuss whether their premises would be suitable and learn more about the adoption process.
