Frequently Asked Questions

The Barn Buddy Program places cats who would not do well as indoor-only companion pets into safe outdoor or indoor/outdoor homes, typically a barn, stable, farmhouse, shop, other outbuilding, or sheltered porch. These cats are considered unadoptable through our standard adoption process but thrive as working companions on properties that can provide them with shelter, food, and ongoing care.

Barn Buddies generally fall into three groups:

• Strays assessed as unsuitable for an indoor-only life, often overly feisty, extremely shy or fearful of people, or extremely independent.
• Owner-surrendered cats who lived (or spent considerable time) outdoors and have not been able to adapt to indoor life.
• Owner-surrendered cats who were indoors but exhibit behavior that makes them better suited as outdoor or indoor/outdoor cats.

Barn Buddies need a safe home in a barn, stable, farmhouse, shop, other outbuilding, or sheltered porch where they can live an outdoor or indoor/outdoor life. They depend on their adopter for ongoing food, fresh water, basic veterinary care, and clean, dry, safe, warm bedding in colder months.

In most cases we recommend adopting at least two cats together, ideally cats who have formed a bond or who at least get along with each other. Pairs provide each other with companionship and help keep one another safe, can snuggle together to stay warm, and are much more likely to accept and stay at their new home through the transition.

Browse our current Barn Buddies on the Adoptable Animals page, they appear alongside our standard adoptable cats. For complete program details and adoption requirements, email shelter@skagithumane.org or call (360) 757-0445.

Humane Society of Skagit Valley is committed to lifetime placements. If you can no longer care for an animal you adopted from us, for any reason, we ask that you return that animal to us rather than rehoming, surrendering elsewhere, or relinquishing them to another shelter. This commitment applies for the lifetime of the animal.

What to do if you need to return an adopted animal:

1. Contact us first by phone at (360) 757-0445 or email shelter@skagithumane.org so we can plan the return together and pull medical history.
2. Bring back any medical records, microchip paperwork, and the adoption agreement if you still have them.
3. Be ready to share what has changed in your home or with the animal so we can place them better next time.

Before you return: if the issue is behavioral, medical, financial, or a housing/landlord problem, please reach out anyway. We may be able to help directly, through our Second Chance medical fund, or a referral to local partner programs, so the animal can stay in your home.

There is no return fee. The original adoption fee is not refundable, but no additional charge is required to bring an adopted animal back to us.

Returns are accepted by appointment only so we can match the animal with appropriate kennel or foster space, please call ahead. If you are facing an emergency outside our hours, leave a voicemail and we will return your call the next business day.