Community Cats

Pet cats are animals who are socialized with humans. They traditionally have an owner and live indoors, outdoors, or a combination of the two. Community cats, or feral cats, are unsocialized cats and are free-roaming outdoor cats. They often live in a colony with other community cats and have one or more caretakers who feed them.

It is important to remember that many cats have homes and are indoor/outdoor cats. The shelter is not the best place for these animals – less than 1% of cats are ever reclaimed by their owner after entering a shelter system nationwide. If you see a cat, please speak to your neighbors. Chances are the cat lives nearby. The best way to help a cat you find outdoors is to get them spayed or neutered.

Look for a missing tip on the cat’s ear. The “ear tip” is a universal sign that a cat has been altered. Most commonly the left ear is tipped, but it may be either ear. “Ear tipping” is the humane removal of the tip of a cat’s ear to indicate is has been spayed or neutered.

The best thing you can do for a community cat is get him or her altered via a Trap Neuter Return program, such as the ones provided at First Coast No More Homeless Pets. After the cat is fixed, you can continue feeding on a regular basis if you choose. We strongly recommend speaking to property owners before you begin feeding a community cat.

First Coast No More Homeless Pets loans traps and provides trapping guidance. Call 904-425-0005 or visit their website for additional info. Also – Alley Cat Allies has great tips for trapping.