Would you like to save the life of a community cat and rid your workplace, stable, brewery, winery or home of mice or other unwanted rodents at the same time? The LC3 Ear Tip Employment Agency is here to help! We are the link between cats that are more suited for the outdoors and people and businesses like you looking for a great mouser.

We work in partnership with Loudoun County Animal Services to help place cats that are more suited for the outdoors and are too stressed at a shelter. This program provides a positive outcome for cats by placing them with people and businesses that need rodent control. Find out how to hire a community cat.

Qualifications

All of our candidates are:

• Free

• Spayed/neutered

• Vaccinated for rabies and distemper

• Microchipped

• Protected with deworming/flea prevention

• Come with a follow-up management protection policy from LC3

Our management protection policy falls under our Fix Me Now program and ensures that we will assist you with trapping in the case of injury, illness, or new surprise arrivals of adult cats or kittens. All medical for outdoor agency cats is at a discount with our participating veterinarians.

Requirements

There is no fee for agency cats, but once they are in your care, you are responsible for their welfare including medical care as well as food and proper shelter from the elements.

• Owners must agree to provide the cat proper amounts of food and water daily

• Shelter must be adequate to provide an escape from the elements

• Owners are required by law to provide medical care when needed in addition to food, water, and shelter

• Owners are required to own the home, or business, where the cat(s) will reside and work

Is an Agency Cat right for me?

Each cat that we help is different. Our job is to find the right cat for your situation. Our volunteers will visit the property during the relocation process to talk with the owner and examine the facility to ensure it is a good fit. Together, a determination is made about what kind of cat would be the most appropriate for the property. It is better to place two cats on one property as studies have shown that relocated pairs are more likely to stay in place.

Process

We ask each new client to fill out a questionnaire, have a volunteer visit them at the location where the cat will reside and work, and take part in the relocation process to help acclimate the cat to their new home.

With your help, our volunteer will set up the relocation area and bring all necessary supplies.

Relocation

Relocation is a process and it does take time for the cats to acclimate to their new home.  Upon arrival, the cats must be confined in pre-installed large cages for four weeks. Confinement is essential and critical to successful relocation. Confinement in a large, spacious, enclosure from top to bottom lets the cats adjust to the environment in safety and accept it as their new home. If cats are set free upon arrival, they will attempt to return to their former home and will likely be lost. The cats may try to find a way out the first day or two, but will settle down once they realize they’re safe. While the cats are confined, they must have clean water, fresh food, a pet carrier or similar small shelter where they can hide, and clean (scooped) litter once or twice each day. Providing appealing canned food during confinement helps cats to accept their new home. The cats can be fed dry food upon release; it’s up to the new caregiver. If a cat escapes from the enclosure, the caregiver should set food and water out. This will encourage the cat to stay close. The new caregiver can sprinkle that cat’s used litter (specifically feces) around the location. Since cats have a keen sense of smell, this will help lure the cat back.

Our volunteer will help you set up the cages to ensure the cats do not escape. Do not let them out until the confinement period is over.

One of our volunteers will pick up the crates and supplies from the property after the one-month follow up.

Owners should check daily to see whether the cat is eating, drinking and using his or her litter box. Owners should also watch for signs of illness brought on by stress to include upper respiratory infection, or urinary tract infection.