Brewery Adopts Barn Cats to Tackle Rodent Issue

It sounds like the set up to a joke - what do a local brewery, abandoned cats facing euthanasia and a non-profit have in common? A lot more than you would imagine!

Slow Pour Brewery of Lawrenceville quickly realized a need for a pest control solution after opening their brewery in 2017. Their building is only a few hundred yards from downtown Lawrenceville's railroad tracks. These tracks provide a conduit for rodents to travel toward their building and seek out the tasty grain used for their beer. The owners wanted to find a natural and safe alternative to their problem, and they found the solution to their worries with Planned PEThood of Georgia’s Barn Cat Program.

This program is designed for companies and individuals looking for working cats to solve a rodent, snake, or other "pest" issue at their property, business or home. In Gwinnett County, there are an estimated 20,000 community/feral cats living outside. These are unowned pets that are often fed and cared for by concerned citizens. However, most of these cats would not be considered pets. They were born outside, and they have only known a life outside hunting for food.

Through a partnership with Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement (GCAWE), Planned PEThood of Georgia saves unadoptable cats by sending them to barn homes. In 2018, GCAWE transferred 202 community/feral cats to Planned PEThood’s Barn Cat Program. These are cats that were not considered adoptable to the public as pets and would have been eligible for euthanasia without this creative, pro-active partnership between Planned PEThood and the county shelter. Since the partnership began, more than 600 cats have been saved and placed in barns, breweries and rural properties across Georgia – including Slow Pour Brewery.

Slow Pour Brewery adopted two cats from Planned PEThood’s Barn Cat Program, and aptly named them Barley and Mash. “I haven’t seen a thing in here since these guys have been out doing their work,” says Matt LaMattina, the Head Brewer at Slow Pour. Not only did Barley and Mash solve their rodent problem, but they became a part of the business. “We never intended for them to be pets,” says Matt, “but we look forward to seeing them every day we walk in here. It’s the first thing that is on our mind as we walk into the building.”

Barn Cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and free to adopt! If you may have a place for a barn cat please contact Planned PEThood of Georgia at 678-561-3491 or barncats@pethoodga.org

www.pethoodga.org

Видео Brewery Adopts Barn Cats to Tackle Rodent Issue канала Planned PEThood of GA