Are You Feeding Stray Cats?

Who can’t resist the urge to put out a dish of fresh cat food and water for the stray cat that knows you look out the window to see if she is there every night? Scenarios like this are played out day after day in neighborhoods and communities across the country and around the world.

There is nothing wrong with you helping this free-roaming cat. It actually gives you a feeling of accomplishment and fills our human need to care for those whom we deem as less fortunate.

But why is it we feel that we are the only ones who do this? As if we are hiding a deep secret, we are relieved to learn that we are not alone. Many people feed stray cats and provide even more help. Thousands of us work together every day to reduce feline homelessness through Trap, Neuter, Return or TNR.

Why do these cats need our help?

Left unaltered, free-roaming cats continue to reproduce creating more homeless kittens. Through TNR, free-roaming cats live out their lives without adding to the homeless cat population. According to scientific studies, free-roaming cats gain weight and live healthier lives after being altered. TNR programs are proven to stabilize and significantly reduce the size of free-roaming cat colonies. By limiting free-roaming cat populations, fewer unwanted and homeless cats are taken to shelters and euthanized.

Spay / neuter a cat or a colony

If you know of a colony of unaltered free-roaming cats that you would like to manage, check out our resources page for information on locations that loan humane traps. Then start a TNR program. Prior to starting any TNR program, contact neighbors or businesses in the area to let them know of your plans and to insure that any owned cats are kept indoors while you are actively trapping.

Set up a feeding station or a shelter at a feral cat colony

Feeding stations and shelters for free-roaming cats are relatively easy and inexpensive to set up. There are many options available from elaborate buildings to simple plastic bins.

Become a foster parent to kittens of free-roaming cats

Kittens that are young enough can be socialized and adopted.  Foster parents are always needed to help care for these young kittens until they can be altered and placed into adoption. For more information on kitten fostering opportunities check with your local animal rescue organizations and animal care and control agency.