Take This Job and Love It:
Great Benefits Program with Perks for Blue Collar Working Cats
May 11, 2026
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca
Theyâre a little too temperamental to be considered perfect, in-home, companion cats. Some are even feral. Whatâs to be done about these categories of cats when agencies like the SPCA Serving Erie County receive them as surrendered animals, or as part of an animal hoarding situation or other type of animal rescue or cruelty case?
For more than a decade, East Aurora-based Feral Cat FOCUS Inc. (FCF) has provided an answer for this agency and other cat welfare organizations in the state. Historically called other names such as the Adopt-A-Barn-Cat program and the Adopt-A-Working-Cat program, the Blue Collar Working Cats program now encompasses more of the varied establishments that have taken advantage of the loyal presence of these hard-working cats!
FCF representatives tell us program cats are cats of various temperaments. In some cases, they are not exactly feral, but theyâre unsocial. They call this program a “beautiful adoption alternative” for these types of cats who have nowhere else to go.
According to FCF, Blue Collar Working Cats have been placed in various western New York establishments including wineries, warehouses, nurseries and greenhouses, barns and stables, and more. When an organization representative calls to inquire about receiving Blue Collar Working Cats to live on the property, FCF conducts a thorough interview to 
ensure proper placement, since not all of the cats will thrive in all of the settings. They also ensure there are enough people who will take full responsibility for the care and feeding of the cats throughout their lifetime.
Once an establishment is deemed a proper setting for specific Blue Collar Working Cats, a representative of FCF brings a minimum of two cats (some larger establishments have four or more Blue Collar Working Cats), already spayed or neutered, treated for fleas, and vaccinated by veterinarians at Operation PETS: the Spay/Neuter Clinic of WNY, Inc. for âgroundingâ purposes. Cats are placed in extra-large dog crates at their ânew homeâ for a three-week period, which allows them time to adapt to the different people, sights, sounds, smells, and, possibly, other animals that collectively comprise the new setting. Most importantly, they begin to bond with and recognize the voices of those who will be providing the majority of care.
Temporarily, FCF provides the crates and other equipment, which is on loan during the three-week grounding period. After that, as with any adoption, all care is the responsibility of the new owners. FCF representatives also tell us that, in all the years of managing this program, FCF has had very few cats that didnât respond to the new surroundings. They attribute that to the fact that the quality of life has increased for the animals and theyâre more content; some of the cats 
become even more social and enjoy being present around people for longer periods of time.
To date, more than 600 establishments house a minimum of two Blue Collar Working Cats. The purpose? “Rodent control, plain and simple,â an FCF representative says. âSometimes the mere presence of Blue Collar Working Cats is enough to keep rodents away from perceived food sources or food and beverage storage areas.â
FCF is unable to accept surrenders of cats from private owners who believe their cats may not be living a high quality of life indoors, yet feel guilty about keeping them outdoors or giving them up. FCF will, however, walk these cat owners through how to set up a Blue Collar Working Cats program right at home. FCF representatives say the group works hard to remove the misplaced guilt these cat owners may feel over not keeping a cat indoors, and added that not every cat can live a high-quality life indoors. They help these people establish a Blue Collar Working Cats program right where they are, taking them through all the steps and assisting them as much as possible in their imitation of the program.
The SPCA Serving Erie County is honored 
to be one of the organizations with which FCF works in its Blue Collar Working Cats program. Several hundred cats who were not viable adoption candidates found new lives through FCF and this program, and the SPCA is indebted 
and eternally grateful to the team at FCF for dedicating so many of their resources to these special cats with high work ethics.
Organization representatives who believe Blue Collar Working Cats might be a welcome addition to their establishments are encouraged to call FCF at (888) 902-9717, email info@feralcatfocus.org, or visit the FCF website to learn more about adopting a working cat team.
Feral Cat FOCUS Inc. is an all-volunteer organization with 501(c)(3) status.
To thank the members of the armed services this Memorial Day, the SPCA Serving Erie County once again offers 
Military ID or DD214 will need to be presented. If an individual is currently serving outside of New York State, that individualâs spouse can adopt during Vets & Pets if a military spouse identification card is presented. Adopters can apply the Vets & Pets waived adoption fee promotion toward a total of two animals.
*Tempted to share holiday table scraps with Fido or Fluffy? Use discretion. Be aware of bones in the mix. And remember not to overfeed your animals with table food to which theyâre not accustomed; this could lead to digestion problems and other unpleasant gastrointestinal issues.
HUNGRY PETS: Too many holiday treats wonât only pack the pounds on usâŚtheyâll pack them on our pets. Many pets are on standard, limited diets; feeding them large quantities of food they donât normally receive could cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, none of which are welcome during this festive holidayâŚor at any other time, for that matter. Use discretion. Turkey bones are also dangerous for pets. A brittle, spiky bone could cause irritation of the stomach or intestines, or could lodge in your petâs esophagus.
POTPOURRI PROBLEMS:Â Of course we want our homes to smell nice when guests arrive…but be mindful that liquid and other types of potpourri, especially sprinkled into rugs, along with many scented essential candles and oils are toxic to dogs, cats, even birds and other animals.
NERVOUS/TERRITORIAL PETS:Â 
CURIOUS PETS:
It is alleged that on or about Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the victimâs Yorkshire terrier, âBenji,â went missing from her residence in Niagara County. Later the same day, the victim allegedly received a phone call from a veterinarianâs office in the City of Tonawanda, notifying her that âBenjiâ had been found by another individual who brought the dog into their office to be scanned for a microchip. The victim allegedly received a second call, notifying her that âBenjiâ was no longer at the office after being discharged to the individuals who brought him in.
On warm days, a vehicle acts like an oven. It holds the heat inside, and that heat becomes very intense even on days that donât seem too warm. On an 85-degree day, 
leave them outside extended periods of time. Ensure appropriate shade and water are always available. Keep close supervision of your pet when outdoors on hot, humid, sunny summer days, and around inground pools. If you see an animal left on a porch or in a yard with no access to shelter or water, or with inadequate shelter or water, the SPCA may be able to intervene in accordance with New York Stateâs Animal Shelter Law.
Contact the SPCA immediately if the location is within Erie County Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at (716) 875-7360, ext. 214.
products purchased from deep discount stores were applied. The SPCA has already received several phone calls this season from people who misapplied flea products to their pets. DO NOT APPLY PRODUCTS MEANT FOR DOGS ON CATS, AND DO NOT APPLY CAT FLEA PRODUCTS TO DOGS, AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CONCERNING THE VOLUME AND MANNER OF APPLICATION! Read the directions carefully PRIOR to application, not during application. The application of improper flea products, low-quality flea products, or products applied incorrectly, can cause internal damage or death to your pet. Always consult a veterinarian before purchasing and applying flea products.
BUNNIES NEED TO KEEP COOL TOO! Pet rabbits who live indoors with no air conditioning can benefit from an easy cooling technique. Rabbit owners can freeze a filled water bottle. Once the water bottle is frozen, it can be wrapped in a cloth and placed on the rabbitâs cage floor. If the rabbit becomes too warm, sheâll instinctively know to lie next to the bottle. Fans can also be pointed in the general direction of a rabbit cage, and rabbits will raise their ears (their natural cooling system) to catch the breeze and cool off. On hot days, pet owners with rabbits living in outdoor pens will want to ensure their pets are cool enough in outdoor locations; if not, rabbits and pens should come indoors.
