We have barn cats who stay outside almost all Spring-Fall (exceptions being inclement weather … or kids deciding the cats need to be at a tea party or some such) but spend most of the winter indoors. All our cats are fixed although we have had incidents before their appointments - Belle being an example.

Phoenix

Around 2007, Phoenix's pregnant mother showed up in our yard and had five kittens a week later. We found homes for three and ended up keeping two - one was a sweet, friendly cat and a fantastic hunter … the other was Phoenix. She can be cuddly at times but most of the time she's too busy hiding from life (I once saw her run away from a mouse). Her brother was much braver than her but sadly passed away in 2017. Ever since losing her brother, she's become more attached to her human family - seeming trying to fill the void of his absence. While she's still timid, she's more likely to come around for attention (and, of course, she spends all winter inside).

Belle

After the loss of Phoenix's brother, we needed a second cat to pick up the barn vermin slack (and obviously it wasn't going to be Phoenix herself). We got Belle from another farm and she's proven to be worth her weight in gold (probably more than her weight since she's pretty small). Despite her small stature, she's tenacious and brave - tackling the mice problems with determination as well as putting up with the sometimes overbearing love from the children around.

We had plans to spay Belle but unfortunately she had other plans - ending up pregnant beforehand. We rescheduled her spay and on 06/25/2019 she gave birth to her first and last litter - 1 boy and 2 girls.

Oreo, Simba, Penny

Black & White Female - Oreo
Orange Tabby Male - Simba
​Dilute Calico Female - Penny

Belle's first and last litter, we've decided to keep them all as barn cats to assist their mother in vermin control (of course, all of them including Belle will be getting fixed to avoid being overrun with adorable felines).

Oreo was the first born and she's extremely timid. Although she doesn't meow too much, when she does you can definitely hear her.

After Oreo, was Simba. He's the friendliest of his litter and very quiet and mild mannered. He takes everything in stride and loves to play.

Finally the baby of the family is Penny and she takes her role seriously. She's very vocal about anything that upsets her and is a major mama's girl.