For certain cats that prefer wide-open spaces to quality time with humans, adoption just isn’t in the cards. But some animal welfare organizations across the country have solved the problem by taking a page straight from a cat’s own playbook.

So-called Working Cat programs place cats by pairs in barns, warehouses and other businesses in need of rodent control. The feline hunters roam freely while doing their job. In turn, their human caretakers guarantee them warm and safe surroundings, plenty of clean water and food and medical care as needed.

Not every cat is a candidate for this work. But for those that have trouble using a litter box, love open spaces or prefer not to spend much time around people, the program has — quite literally — been a life-saver. It’s a win-win situation for humans and felines.