Barn Cat Day – Honoring the Kings and Queens of the Barn

Matt Jolley
Sep 17
2 min read

GEORGIA FOLK AND FARM LIFE - Every farm has its characters, but none quite like the barn cat. Around here, we recently said goodbye to Bohdan—our “King of the Barn Cats.” Like his companion Fritz, who passed earlier this year, Bohdan lived with the kind of dignity and mystery that only barn cats can pull off.

Bohdan died as he lived—mysteriously. When he first showed up on the farm, he was more shadow than substance, appearing only when he wanted to, slipping between the margins of light and dark. In those early months, we seldom saw him. But over time, he came closer, and in his last months he grew almost tender, as if he knew the end was coming or was readying himself for a final battle. Fritz was the same way—rugged, independent, and full of life until the very end.

If you’ve ever had a barn cat, you know the story. They don’t ask for much—just a dry corner of the barn, a little feed now and then, and a patch of sun. But in return, they give us everything: watchful eyes, silent patrols, and the comfort of knowing someone’s on guard. They keep the feed room free of pests, meet us at the gate after a long day, and somehow weave themselves into our hearts without ever asking to sit on our laps.

Every farm has a Bohdan or a Fritz. A cat who rules the rafters, knows every hiding spot, and carries on their quiet work when the rest of us are asleep.

So today, in their honor, we’re calling it Barn Cat Day on Georgia Folk and Farm Life. A day to tip our hats to the kings and queens of the hayloft and woodpile.

We’d love to hear from you: Who are your barn cats—past or present? Who kept mice out of your feed bins, or trotted down the fence line to walk you back from the field? Post their pictures, tell their stories, and let’s give these noble little guardians the tribute they deserve in the comments below.

So today we raise a paw, a feed scoop, or maybe just a smile, and say thank you to the barn cats. Long live the memory of Bohdan and Fritz—and long live barn cats everywhere.

~Matt