Citrus County leaders are looking for ways to improve the county's overpopulated animal shelter problem.

Officials are considering a "barnyard cat program," which would allow farmers to adopt the cats at no cost and put them to work killing unwanted critters.

Morgan Cook, a local cattle farmer, said she has a barn cat and she hunts every day.

"She lays up in the garage when she wants to get pet, but for the most part she is out at the barn doing her job," Cook said.

Employees for Citrus County Animal Services applaud the idea, stating it would save a lot of lives and give a lot of cats a new home. Animal Services Director Kevin Mallory says it's a win-win situation.

"Yup, put some cats to work," he said. "They would be sterilized and have their basic vaccines and we are looking at microchipping them to start with."

County leaders sent out letters to property owners who would qualify for the program, and animal services is already getting some phone calls. 

Morgan says if the program becomes a reality, she's going to get one of the cats.

"It is better than having to euthanize them and they are going to hunt," she said.

They say it's a creative solution that would put the cats to work.