Cats living outdoors is nothing new. For most of their natural history, cats have lived outside alongside people. Evidence shows cats began living near people over 10,000 years ago, before the pyramids were built! It wasn’t until very recently, with the invention of kitty litter in the 1940s, that so many cats began living indoors only. Community cats are truly at home outdoors, just as countless cats have been for thousands of years.

Community cats thrive in their outdoor homes when the colony is managed and neutered. They are used to living outdoors and are naturally skilled at finding shelter and food all on their own. Studies show community cats are just as healthy as pet cats, with equally low disease rates. Community cats can live just as long as pet cats.

Community cats are not a threat to public health. Since community cats aren’t friendly to people and avoid contact, it is almost impossible for them to transmit diseases.

See The science behind why feral cats are safe members of our communities from Alley Cat Allies for more information.

Cats have co-existed outdoors with wildlife for thousands of years. Reliable science shows that cats are part of our natural ecosystem and do not significantly impact wildlife populations. As animal lovers, we want what is best for all animals. That means we must address the true threats to all species: human-lead activities like habitat destruction and pollution.

See Cats and Wildlife from Alley Cat Allies for more information.

Community cats are often not socialized, or friendly, to people. That means they are unable to live indoors with people, and are therefore unadoptable when first encountered. Community cats should not be taken to pounds because they are likely to be killed. The only humane and effective approach to community cats is TNR, and more and more communities and rescues are embracing it.

In a Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program, community cats are humanely trapped, brought to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, parasite treated and eartipped (the universal sign that a cat has been part of a TNR program), and then returned to their outdoor homes. TNR helps community cats by relieving them of the stresses of mating and breeding, and protecting them from diseases. Communities benefit from TNR because it reduces and stabilises community cat populations, saves tax-payers’ money, helps rescues focus on adoptions, and provides a humane and collaborative way to address concerns and coexist with cats. Learn more about Trap Neuter Return.