Community Cat Program

“Community cat" is a term that refers to any cat who lives outdoors AND is unowned. Community cats include both stray and feral cats. Like pet cats, they belong to the domestic cat species (Felis catus). Feral cats can live full, healthy lives in their colonies outdoors.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the only humane and permanently effective way to reduce the population of community cats while helping them live happy, healthy lives.

Our Companions offers a Trap Training Program that provides our clients with training, equipment, and support to safely TNR cats in their care. We also provides cat shelters, food donations, and veterinary services to our community cat clients to help support the colonies they care for.

If you are interested in participating in TNR and helping community cats in your neighborhood, please contact us.

More About Our Program

Here's how OC’s Community Cat Program can help: 

We have a bank of cat traps and can loan traps with a $50 deposit per trap. That deposit is returned in full when our traps are returned.
We hold classes for community members that discuss the benefits of TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) for community cats as well provide tips and tricks on trapping cats.
We help clients set up a surgery appointment with one of our partner vets to get community cats examined, vaccinated, and spayed/neutered.
We provide financial assistance to help with the veterinary fees associated with TNR.
We provide food and outdoor shelters to cat colony caregivers who have completed our trap training class and have managed (TNR'd) community cat colonies.
We provide ongoing support and resources for caregivers to ensure the well-being of the cats in their colonies even after they are TNR’d.

OC’s Community Cat Program does not do the following:

We do not have the staff and volunteer resources to trap the cats for clients. While we can provide traps and training on how to use them, it is the responsibility of the client to trap the cats themselves.
We cannot relocate community cats. Our program follows the TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) approach, which means that cats are returned to their original location after being spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped.
We do not rehome or adopt community cats that are not socialized to humans. Our program is focused on the humane management of community cat populations through TNR, not on adoption or rehoming of cats that are not socialized to humans.
Please note that our Animal Sanctuary located in Ashford, Connecticut is a sanctuary for dogs, cats, and small animals that need extra medical and behavioral support before they find a family. We care for animals at our Sanctuary with the hope they will all be adopted and live out the rest of their lives in a loving home. We are not a feral cat sanctuary.

Community Cat Resources

"CAT"egories Of Felines

Feral or Stray? Some Clues To Help You

The Cat Socialization Spectrum

Found Kittens? What To Do Next

How Old Is This Kitten?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a community cat?

“Community cat" is a term that refers to any cat who lives outdoors AND is unowned. Community cats include both stray and feral cats. Like pet cats, they belong to the domestic cat species (Felis catus).

Feral cats are not socialized to humans. This means that they have not learned to trust or bond with humans in the same way that pet cats have. As a result, feral cats can be difficult to handle, and may exhibit aggressive or fearful behavior when around humans. If brought indoors, they may be more prone to destructive behavior, such as scratching and spraying, since they have not been trained or socialized to understand appropriate behavior in a home environment.

A stray cat has been socialized to humans at some point in their life and may be lost or abandoned. A stray cat may become feral as human contact lessens over time. Often with the support and patience from its new family, a stray cat can also become a pet cat once again.

Learn more about the different types of cats HERE.

Find clues to help determine if a cat is feral or stray HERE.

How can I tell if a cat I find outdoors is scared/shy or feral?

It can be difficult to tell the difference between a scared or shy cat and a feral cat, as both may exhibit similar behaviors when they feel threatened or afraid. However, there are a few signs that can indicate whether a cat is feral or not:

Body language: Feral cats tend to have a defensive body posture, with their ears flattened against their head and their body low to the ground. They may also hiss, growl, or lash out with their claws. Shy or scared cats may also exhibit defensive body language, but they may also try to hide or run away.
Interaction with humans: Feral cats typically avoid contact with humans and may run away if approached. They may also hiss, growl, or swipe if they feel threatened. Shy or scared cats may also avoid contact with humans, but they may be more open to being approached or touched if they feel safe.
Living environment: Feral cats typically live outdoors and may be part of a colony of feral cats. They may be seen hunting for food or sleeping in hidden areas. Shy or scared cats may also be living outdoors, but they may be more likely to seek shelter in a specific location, such as under a porch or in a shed.
Use these clues to help determine if a cat is stray or feral.

Learn more about the Cat Socialization Spectrum HERE.

What is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and why is it important for community (feral) cats?

TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return, which is a humane and effective method of managing community cat populations. In a TNR program, community cats are trapped using humane traps, taken to a veterinary clinic and given an exam, spayed/neutered, vaccinated against rabies and distemper, and then returned to their outdoor colony to live out their lives without reproducing. The cats are ear-tipped (a small piece of the left ear is removed) during the spay/neuter surgery to indicate that they have been altered and vaccinated.

TNR has been shown to be a successful way of reducing community cat populations over time because it addresses the root cause of the issue – uncontrolled breeding. When cats are spayed or neutered, they are unable to reproduce and contribute to cat overpopulation. Spaying/neutering also reduces undesirable behaviors like fighting, yowling, spraying, defecating in public areas and wandering long distances, thus decreasing the likelihood of being hit by a vehicle. Additionally, TNR allows community cats to continue living in their natural habitat, which can be important for their physical and emotional well-being.

TNR programs are often run by animal welfare organizations, like the Community Cat Program at Our Companions Animal Rescue, and may be funded by grants or donations. TNR is becoming increasingly popular and has been adopted by many communities as a humane and effective solution for cat overpopulation.

Should I relocate a feral cat?

It is often difficult to relocate a feral cat because they are not socialized to humans and their environment. Feral cats are typically born and raised outdoors and have little to no human contact. They may be fearful of humans and unfamiliar surroundings, which can make relocation stressful and difficult for both the cat and the person trying to relocate them.

Additionally, feral cats are territorial animals, and they have established their territory over time. Moving them to a new location can cause confusion and anxiety, and they may struggle to adapt to their new surroundings. Even if they are relocated to a new area, they may still try to return to their original territory, which can result in them becoming lost or injured.

Furthermore, relocating feral cats is not always a viable solution to the problem of overpopulation. Removing feral cats from an area may create a vacuum effect, where other feral cats move in to take their place. This can lead to a cycle of removal and repopulation that is not sustainable.

For these reasons, it is often recommended to use TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs to manage feral cat populations instead of trying to relocate them. TNR programs allow feral cats to remain in their established territory while preventing future litters of kittens from being born.

What should I do if I find a kitten outdoors?

If you find a kitten outdoors, the first thing to do is assess its health and safety. If it is in immediate danger (e.g. from traffic or other animals), move it to a safer location. If it seems healthy, you can monitor it from a distance to see if its mother returns. If the mother doesn't return after several hours, you may need to take the kitten in and care for it yourself or call your local animal welfare organizations for assistance. Please call animal welfare organizations before going to their location to make sure they are able to take in the kitten.

Use this flow chart to help you do what's best for any kittens you find outdoors.

How old does a kitten need to be before it can survive on its own?

Kittens are usually weaned and can start eating solid food at around 4-6 weeks old. However, they still need their mother for socialization and protection until they are at least 8 weeks old. After that, they can potentially survive on their own, but it is always better for them to be adopted into loving indoor homes by humans.

Here is a useful list of physical and behavioral milestones that can help you age a kitten.

What is the age of socialization to kittens born outdoors and with little human contact?

The age of socialization for feral kittens can vary, but it is generally considered to be between 2 and 8 weeks of age. During this time, kittens are most receptive to socialization and can learn to trust humans and other animals. However, the exact window of socialization can vary depending on a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, and previous experiences.

If feral kittens are not socialized during this critical period, it can become increasingly difficult to socialize them as they get older. After 8 weeks of age, feral kittens may become more fearful and less receptive to human contact. This can make it challenging to socialize them and may require more time, effort, and patience on the part of the person attempting to socialize them.

If you find feral kittens outdoors, it is important to try to socialize them as early as possible to increase their chances of being adopted into loving homes. Working with a reputable animal rescue organization or shelter can be helpful in providing guidance and resources on how to socialize feral kittens effectively.

Additional Community Cat Resources

ASPCA

Alley Cat Allies

Best Friends