If you’re a cat lover, your heartstrings pull every time you see a skinny feral or stray cat dart across the street. We want to help them all: feed them, bring them home, and give them a safe place to live. It seems like an overwhelming problem, and too often we end up going on our way, not knowing how to help.
The good news is that there many ways, both big and small, that you can help our homeless furry friends!
Many communities participate in trap-neuter-return (TNR) efforts that aim to reduce the feral cat population by catching them, neutering or spaying them, and returning them. The ASPCA and Humane Society both endorse this strategy, which is also known as trap-neuter-spay-return or trap-neuter-vaccinate-return.
According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the cats are, “humanely trapped, examined, vaccinated, and surgically sterilized by veterinarians.”
After the cats and kittens are returned to their environs, the goal becomes enlisting a group of volunteers who provide food, water, and some type of shelter. Ideally the volunteers are able to monitor the kitties for illness, with treatment provided via low cost or free vet services.
How can you help? TNR groups are always in need of volunteers! If you are able to provide food, shelter, or health care for feral cats, get in touch with your local Humane Society, animal welfare group, or veterinarian for more information and advice.
Remember, there are multiple ways to aid in this important effort. If you’d rather not, or are unable to, directly interact with the cats, you can become an advocate for these deserving creatures.
Affiliate links included below. Thanks for your support!
Get in touch with your local TNR group and offer to staff a community event, solicit the services of veterinarians and businesses, start a community awareness blog, etc.
If you don’t have time to volunteer, donate whatever funds you can! Every little bit goes a long way to helping a cat who has nowhere to call home. For example, a $20 donation may pay for the spaying or neutering of one cat or kitten. In addition, there’s always the option of giving through a planned will or estate.
Outdoor heated kitty houses are great for keeping a feral cat warm in the colder weather!
Lastly, don’t unwittingly contribute to the stray cat population. Always spay and neuter your own cats and kittens!
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This is a great cause. Kitties deserve a loving home! Fortunately we don’t have a lot of stray cats where I am but I’m glad TNR is available where it’s needed.
These are great ideas! I never thought about an outdoor heated kitty house but I know a few cats in the neighborhood who would appreciate it!
I am very allergic to cats but its so great that there are things to do to help these cats. How awesome of you to share this!
This is a great cause. Kitties deserve a loving home! Fortunately we don’t have a lot of stray cats where I am but I’m glad TNR is available where it’s needed.
These are great ideas! I never thought about an outdoor heated kitty house but I know a few cats in the neighborhood who would appreciate it!
I am very allergic to cats but its so great that there are things to do to help these cats. How awesome of you to share this!
This is great! I feel so bad when I see homeless cats! I’m glad the community can help out the TNR groups.
This is great! I feel so bad when I see homeless cats! I’m glad the community can help out the TNR groups.
I am a cat person and I do feel sad when I see feral cats, especially in the middle of winter and its harsh weather. I don’t think a lot of people realize they can easily help them in some small way.
This is such a great cause. I don’t support shelters that put animals down after x amount of time from not finding them a home. All animals deserve the best in life.
I am a cat person and I do feel sad when I see feral cats, especially in the middle of winter and its harsh weather. I don’t think a lot of people realize they can easily help them in some small way.
This is such a great cause. I don’t support shelters that put animals down after x amount of time from not finding them a home. All animals deserve the best in life.
Some humane societies also have barn cat programs for ferile or semi-ferile cats. If you life in the country and are looking for a good mouser that doesn’t have to be a pet, check to see if yours participates in a program. They come neutered and with their vaccinations and ready to mouse!
I always feel so badly about the feral cats in our community. These are some great tips on ways to help them.
Some humane societies also have barn cat programs for ferile or semi-ferile cats. If you life in the country and are looking for a good mouser that doesn’t have to be a pet, check to see if yours participates in a program. They come neutered and with their vaccinations and ready to mouse!
I always feel so badly about the feral cats in our community. These are some great tips on ways to help them.
I don’t have a cat my son was allergy but this is a good caused and so nice to help the cats
I don’t have a cat my son was allergy but this is a good caused and so nice to help the cats
Hey,,me and a friend trap cats and get them fixed and shots,, Most of the time it’s out of our money! We find them homes or a farm they can go to,so they are not in any kind of danger of roads or people who don’t want them around,,we come across that alot…the ones we have not got yet we feed every night. We have keep alot of them… There is this one cat that is very smart ,we have tried everything,fried chicken,tune,salmon cat nip,cat food,not feeding her,,she will not go close to the trap!!!! We need help,,suggestions!!!!!!!!! She due any day now,
Hey,,me and a friend trap cats and get them fixed and shots,, Most of the time it’s out of our money! We find them homes or a farm they can go to,so they are not in any kind of danger of roads or people who don’t want them around,,we come across that alot…the ones we have not got yet we feed every night. We have keep alot of them… There is this one cat that is very smart ,we have tried everything,fried chicken,tune,salmon cat nip,cat food,not feeding her,,she will not go close to the trap!!!! We need help,,suggestions!!!!!!!!! She due any day now,
I have been feeding some feral cats in my neighborhood. Last year w had kitten and the raccoons for them. I was so traumatized. When they has kittens this year, I vowed to protect them and I did. Now 1 had a liter and a raccoon got 1, I had to dispose of the body and 1 has been whining like its stick somewhere or sick. I want to have someone come and fix them so they can stop reproducing buy, I don’t want them harmed. I want them released. I feed them 2 x a day but, it’s getting expensive. I love those cats and they know me but, won’t come close to me. It’s been traumatic listening to this kitten die and it be able to help it. I couldn’t find it. I need so.e help finding a TNT in Oak Ca who can come and trap them, fix them and release them . Any ideas?
I have been feeding some feral cats in my neighborhood. Last year w had kitten and the raccoons for them. I was so traumatized. When they has kittens this year, I vowed to protect them and I did. Now 1 had a liter and a raccoon got 1, I had to dispose of the body and 1 has been whining like its stick somewhere or sick. I want to have someone come and fix them so they can stop reproducing buy, I don’t want them harmed. I want them released. I feed them 2 x a day but, it’s getting expensive. I love those cats and they know me but, won’t come close to me. It’s been traumatic listening to this kitten die and it be able to help it. I couldn’t find it. I need so.e help finding a TNT in Oak Ca who can come and trap them, fix them and release them . Any ideas?