Community Cats
I’ve found a community cat, now what?
If the cat is friendly, follow the steps on the You Found An Animal page. If the cat is not friendly or appears feral. First, look to see if the cat already has an ‘ear-tip’. Cats who have been through a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program will have an ear-tip, like the grey cat in the photo. This is a universal symbol used to identify sterilized free-roaming cats. The most common type of ear-tip is a flat quarter-inch taken from the top of the left ear, which is painlessly performed surgically while the cat is sedated for spay/neuter. Ear-tipped cats have already been sterilized and rabies vaccinated. They can be left where they are found unless they are injured or suffering, then call Companion Animal Control.
If no ear-tip is present on a feral cat, the cat is most likely not sterilized. For spay/neuter resources visit our spay/neuter page.
What is a “Community Cat”?
Community cats are un-owned cats that live outdoors in the community. These cats may be feral or friendly, they may have been born in the outside in the community, be lost or abandoned pets.
How can I help community cats?
Food: https://alleycatadvocates.org/tips-for-food-and-feeding-stations/
Water: fresh cool water during summer and heated water during the winter months is essential
Local organizations providing free/discounted pet food are listed here
Shelter from the weather: https://alleycatadvocates.org/tips-for-food-and-feeding-stations/
What is the difference between a stray cat and a feral cat?
A feral cat has not been raised with human contact and has adapted to feral life. A stray cat is a domesticated pet who is lost or abandoned but is accustomed to handling by humans.
Feral cat:
Usually nocturnal
Will not approach you
Will wait until you move away before approaching food
Will appear clean/well groomed
Stray cat:
May be seen at all hours of the day
May approach you
May approach food right away
May be vocal, meowing & purring
May look disheveled
Why should community cats be allowed?
Community cats have existed for many years, hence removing these cats from the community doesn't eliminate the nuisances they can create and actually encourages cat populations to steadily grow. Cats are present within a community because there is a food source within their territory, if a cat is removed from its territory a new cat will simply move in to that area to consume the food source. In fact, if a cat is removed from a territory and a female cat recognizes there is now less competition for food—her body can adjust by increasing the number of kittens she gives birth to. Therefore increasing the population even more. Trapping and removing cats from the community is not a sustainable or humane solution. Trapping and relocating cats to a random farm or vacant area is also illegal as it is abandonment of an animal. Euthanizing healthy, feral cats is also not a humane option.
When cats that have been sterilized and then returned to the community, they continue to utilize food resources but are unable to produce more kittens. This decreases the free-roaming cat population over time, this strategy is thinking ‘up-stream’ instead of ‘down-stream’. Sterilization also reduces problematic behaviors like fighting and spraying. Feral cats that are thriving are returned to their environment. If the cat is healthy, we are confident it has found a regular food source and shelter.
Solutions to common community cat complaints: https://alleycatadvocates.org/staying-on-good-terms-with-your-neighbors/