A community cat is a an outdoor cat that has had little socialization with people. These cats can be found all across the nation, adapted to surviving in the outdoors. Often, these cats are unfriendly to us humans, and can’t live an indoor life like some of our pets. But we can care for these cats to the best of our capabilities, and keep the breeding cycle from repeating through TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return).
Community Cat Care
If you come across a community cat that seems unsocialized, but you would still like to help, there are plenty of options! The main things that you can provide a feral cat in need are food and shelter. Many outdoor felines are skilled in scavenging or hunting for food, but will greatly appreciate an easy meal. Cost-effective and efficient housing can also be constructed from Styrofoam coolers stuffed with straw. These are especially handy in the winter when warm shelter isn’t readily available.
So you have the basics! Feral cats are low maintenance, and don’t require much else unless they become injured or ill. But we know from owning our own kitty companions that life in the outdoors is not ideal. So how do we break the cycle?
TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return)
TNR is a humane, effective way to control feral cat populations and break the cycle of outdoor cats. Community cats are trapped, brought to a veterinary clinic to be spayed or neutered, and returned to their original location. This allows them to live out their lives, while preventing further litters being born.
When trapping a community or feral cat, it’s essential to follow best practices to ensure both the safety of the cat and yourself. First, make sure you have the proper equipment, such as a humane live trap, which can be purchased or borrowed from local shelters or animal rescue groups. Set the trap in a quiet, secluded area where the cat is known to frequent, preferably near food and shelter sources. Always use tempting bait like tuna, sardines, or wet cat food, but avoid handling the trap with your bare hands afterward to reduce the chance of transferring human scent. Check the trap frequently to prevent the cat from being trapped for too long, and place a cloth or towel over the trap to help calm the cat. Once trapped, transport the cat to a veterinarian or local animal shelter for spaying/neutering, vaccinations, or rehoming.
Great Plains SPCA offers regular Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) clinics to help community cats receive essential care while preventing overpopulation. These clinics provide a humane and effective solution to managing feral cat populations, ensuring they live healthier lives while reducing the number of homeless kittens.
If you have a feral cat or colony in your neighborhood and have additional questions or concerns, email hero@greatplainsspca.org! We are more than happy to lend a hand, and continue caring for ALL animals that need our help.