Thousands of kittens flood animal shelters during the warm months of spring and summer. Many shelters anticipate the rush of prospective adopters as they scramble to their doors in search of the perfect kitten for themselves or their children. Indeed, few kittens are to be seen in enclosures by the end of September.

Unfortunately, the adult cat populations at shelters barely waver during this time. Some are shuffled to different cages as kitten numbers dwindle, while others are left to their own quarantined pens due to illness or fits of temper. A lucky few are promoted to be unofficial mascots of the shelter they call home and are permitted to lounge on countertops and greet visitors. Even fewer cats are given the gift of adoption into loving homes.

But most are not so lucky.

Adult cats are frequent long-time residents of animal shelters across the country. Their numbers quickly surpass those of capacity: the ASPCA estimates that approximately 41 percent of cats who enter shelters each year are euthanized. While many are euthanized due to illness and the unavoidable health troubles that arise during old age, countless others are put down because they are deemed "unadoptable" by shelter staff and veterinary professionals.

The "unadoptable" cats are those who are skittish around humans, loud noises, and bright lights. They are wary of interaction and attempts at affection. Some have been abused or abandoned. Most have been forced to fend for themselves in both neighborhoods and wilder areas. They are the feral cats, and they have been given proverbial scarlet letters for all to see. They are unpredictable and unloving; what good can they be to us?

A Second Chance

Feral cats are being given another chance to live out their 9 lives. States such as Massachusetts, Alabama, Colorado, California, and Ohio are part of the Barn Cat Program initiative. These states -- and many others -- allow for locals to adopt partly-wild cats and give them safe roaming territories on farms, plant nurseries, warehouses, and other outdoor locations. Participants are obliged to provide shelter, vet care, and a supply of fresh water for the cats, but not human interaction (unless the cat tolerates it). The cats do their part by keeping small animal populations in-check within their designated territories, thus preventing mice, squirrels, birds, chipmunks, and even snakes from ravaging crops and buildings.

This working relationship between humans and cats is a clear win for both parties.