Community Cats

Community cats are unowned cats who live outdoors. They're also known as stray cats, or feral cats. Cats have thrived living outdoors alongside humans for over 10,000 years. Community cats are members of our community and live full, contented lives in their outdoor homes. They are generally not socialized or friendly toward people. This means they are not adoptable and don't belong in shelters. 

​Trap-Neuter-Return is the only humane and effective approach to dealing with community cats. In this process, cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear tipped, and returned to their outdoor homes. Ear tipping is the universal sign that a cat has been part of TNR so people can see it from afar and know not to trap that particular cat again.

Need help spaying and neutering outdoor cats?

Call us at 540-820-0404 or email communitycats@rhspca.org

Advice for Maintaining a Cat Colony

Feeding and Care
Do not leave food out overnight. It can attract insects and wildlife. Instead, remove any uneaten food before dusk.

• TIP: If the cats usually eat all of the food within 15 minutes, try putting out a bit more. If there is consistently food remaining after 30 minutes, try putting out less.

Provide fresh water.

• TIP: In the summer, provide lots of fresh water to prevent dehydration. During the winter, try wider, deeper bowls to prevent water from freezing. Most pet stores also offer heated water bowls.

Choose one place to feed and keep it clean. We recommend creating a ‘feeding station’ for all food dishes. Learn more about feeding stations at alleycat.org/ColonyCare-Feeding.

• TIP: You can feed on disposable plates or bowls, but be sure to throw them away or recycle immediately after use.​

Community Relations
Listen to your neighbors and address any concerns. Determine what the issues are and do your best to work with your neighbors to resolve them.

• TIP: Remain calm and constructive—take this chance to educate neighbors about community cats. If you need a confidence boost, find another caregiver or friend to go with you when meeting with the community.

Use humane deterrents to keep cats away from areas they aren’t wanted. Offer to apply them for your neighbors. Learn more at alleycat.org/Deterrents.

• TIP: Try using citrus scented fragrances to deter cats from yards, porches, and gardens

Common Sense Steps
Trap-Neuter-Return ALL cats in the colony, including any new cats who arrive. Discuss TNR plans with your neighbors to avoid confusion and concern. Let everyone know they can contact you with questions.

• TIP: Explain the benefits of spay/neuter so your neighbors know you’re helping cats and improving the community. Inform them that there will be no more kittens if all of the cats are neutered, and that mating behaviors like yowling, and fighting will stop.

Keep everything clean. You’ll reduce unpleasant smells and the neighbors will thank you.

• TIP: For easier clean up after meals, choose one place for all of the cats’ food dishes instead of scattering them.

Create litter areas. Build a box with 2’x 4’s or use a sandbox. This will keep cats from relieving themselves in neighborhood gardens. Be sure the litter area is in a quiet, sheltered space and clean it regularly.

• TIP: Sand can withstand weather, but regular indoor litter can not.

Provide safe shelters. Cats need warm, dry places to stay that are away from populated areas. You can make one or purchase one.

• TIP: Learn how to buy or build shelters at alleycat.org/ShelterGallery.

Spay/Neuter Vouchers

Do you need assistance with TNR in your area? We may be able to help. Please inquire about our spay/neuter vouchers for community cats at communitycats@rhspca.org. Our Community Cat Manager will respond to your inquiry in a timely manner and let you know the next steps to take. Once you receive a voucher, they may be redeemed by setting up an appointment at Anicira Veterinary Center in Harrisonburg or the Augusta Regional SPCA in Staunton. Each voucher helps one cat receive a spay/neuter surgery, a rabies & distemper vaccine, and a microchip. By utilizing the voucher, you will agree to have the animal's microchip registered to you. Please note that feral cats must be brought in a trap, or feral den, at the time of the appointment.

Trap Rentals

We have traps available to rent for a $60 deposit. Please note that we have a limited amount of traps available.
In order for a trap to be rented:

• Trap rentals are only for TNR purposes, not for assisting an intake
• You must already have a spay/neuter appointment scheduled (to minimize the amount of time the trap is unavailable to others)
• Sign and submit the trap loan agreement​​

To learn more about trapping preparations and processes, click the button below.

Learn More

Think the cat that you found may belong to someone? Please fill out a Found Report
​and then check our Lost Reports to see if someone is looking for them.

Outdoor Kittens

If you find kittens outdoors, there are a few things you should look for before you take action. Check out this flowchart to learn more.

Flowchart

Last year, we took in almost 1,000 kittens! If you'd like to help, please donate to our Community Cat Fund to help spay and neuter outdoor cats to help reduce the overpopulation in our community.
If the flowchart says that you should step in and help the kittens that you found, you can also help us by fostering them. Learn more on our Foster page.

Information on this page was provided by Alley Cat Allies.
​More information about community cats and TNR can be found on their website at alleycat.org.