Community cats (also called feral cats) are unowned cats who live outdoors. From the same species (felis catus) as indoor cats, community cats are generally not socialized, or friendly to people and therefore are unadoptable in the traditional sense. Community cats may live full, healthy lives with their colony in their outdoor home.

Community cats are not a public health threat. Typically, they aren't friendly to people and avoid contact, so the chance for them to transmit disease is minimal.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) & Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR)

Trap-Neuter-Return or Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return is a humane and effective way of dealing with feral community cats. It is exactly what it sounds like: feral cats are humanely trapped and taken to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, ear-tipped and vaccinated. After recovery, the cats are returned to their home-their colony-outdoors.

Benefits to People in the Community

Fewer Cats

Over time, TNVR reduces the size of feral cat colonies. Additionally, friendly kittens may be removed from the colony and made available for adoption, also reducing the population.

Less Odor

Neutered male cats will mark their territory less, thus cutting down on the smell in the community. And, of course, with fewer cats, there will be less smell overall.

Less Noise Nuisance

Neutered cats fight less and make less noise. Mating behaviors cease, like roaming, yowling, spraying, and fighting.

Disease Reduction

Most rabies is transmitted by wildlife, not feral cats. Even so, the majority of TNVR programs vaccinate feral cats for rabies - meaning vaccinated feral cats are much less likely to acquire or transmit the virus and much less likely to pose a threat to humans or other animals.

Tips

Bothered by nuisance cats around your home? Visit Alley Cat Allies for tips on how to effectively deal with nuisance behaviors.

Why We Don't Trap & Euthanize the Cats

Removing cats from an area only allows another colony to move into its place in order to take advantage of the food source that once supported the first colony. Essentially you would have to trap and kill everywhere, all at once, to catch all the cats. The TNVR option allows you to stabilize one area at a time. Once the cat population of a colony is stabilized, the colony will defend its territory and keep other cats from moving in. Targeted TNVR allows you to clean up entire regions, and someday the entire state, because all food sources will be utilized for sterilized cats.

To most people, killing homeless cats is not acceptable or humane. Many people welcome the company of the cats each day. Others rely on the cats for rodent control in places such as on farms, behind restaurants, and houses backing into wooded areas. Without a trap, neuter, vaccinate, and release program, these people have no alternative but to let the cats continue to breed.

Local Programs & Resources for Hamilton Residents

offers education and discounted services for colony caretakers and interested volunteers. Email People for Animals.

EASEL can provide traps, training and other resources for local residents. For more information email EASEL.

Hamilton Township Council passed an ordinance regarding TNVR effective January 7, 2021: Hamilton Township Ordinance 20-056 § 108-25 (PDF).

Education & Resources

View webinars, and explore other educational, informative materials at Community Cats Podcast.

Please check out resources from Neighborhood Cats!

Winter Pet Care Tips

Cold winter weather can be very dangerous to our companion animals. Here are some tips that can help make our pets more comfortable and possibly save their lives.

Cats

Cats should be kept indoors. If allowed to roam outdoors, cats can freeze and become lost or stolen. If a cat is allowed to stray, it will be exposed to potentially fatal infectious diseases such as rabies.

Cats that roam outdoors during the winter will sometimes seek shelter under the hoods of cars. Before starting the engine, bang loudly on the hood of the car to allow a cat to escape and avoid injury or being killed by the fan belt or blades.

Dogs

If you have a dog that enjoys the outdoors, be sure he has a dry, draft-free shelter so that he can escape the cold. The shelter should be large enough for your dog to move around in freely, but be small enough to keep him warm. The floor of the shelter needs to be elevated from the damp ground and a layer of cedar chips or straw will provide insulation to keep your dog warm.

Never allow your dog off leash in snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Dogs will lose their ability to detect scents and can easily become lost under these conditions. Be sure your dog is wearing identification tags, especially since more dogs become lost during the winter months than during any other season.

When your dog comes back into the house during messy winter weather, be sure to thoroughly wipe off his legs and stomach.

Dogs will lick their paws and can ingest salt, antifreeze or other chemicals that may be hazardous to their health. Also, be on the lookout for bleeding from the paw pads that may be caused by overexposure to snow or ice.

If you own a short-haired breed, it is a good idea to buy a coat or sweater for your dog. If your dog is elderly, ill, or a breed which sensitive to cold, you should take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

Never shave a dog's coat to a short length in the winter. Leave the coat longer for more warmth. If you bathe your dog during the winter, be sure that his coat is completely dry before taking him outdoors.

Cats & Dogs

During severely cold weather, all pets should be kept indoors. Never leave a dog or cat alone in the car during cold weather. A car can become a refrigerator or freezer and hold in cold air. A cat or dog can literally freeze to death.

Antifreeze is extremely toxic to cats and dogs. It has a sweet taste and is extremely attractive to animals. Be sure to clean up any spills from vehicles and repair leaks. Consider using products that contain propylene glycol, which are less toxic than the more hazardous products which contain ethylene glycol.

Be certain to give your companion animal a warm place to sleep. Sleeping areas should be free of drafts and elevated from the floor. A dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is ideal.

Summer Safety Tips

• Keep your pet indoors when possible.
• Limit outdoor exercise to early morning or evening.
• Avoid long walks, hikes and excessive play.
• Provide pets with extra cool water sources.
• Consider dog booties for hot pavement.
• Play in the sprinklers or kiddie pools.
• Never chain your pet outdoors.
• Pets cannot be outdoors for more than 30 minutes when the temperature is over 90 degrees.
• Do not leave pets unattended in cars.

When pets are outside with you:

• Provide a well-shaded, ventilated area.
• Provide water in a non-metal spill-proof bowl.

If it's too hot for bare feet, it's too hot for bare paws!