The most effective way to help feral or stray cats and colonies in honor of Happy Cat Month is to support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, provide safe food stations and shelters, and foster community understanding and support for humane management practices. Today, I want to break down how caring for community cats in West Houston also helps our community. Let’s dive in!
Stray vs. Feral vs. Community Cats
Feral, community, and stray cats differ primarily in their relationship to humans and their living environment. They can be defined as follows:
- Feral cats are unsocialized to people, often born and raised outdoors without human contact, and typically avoid people entirely; they are most comfortable living within colonies and are not suitable as pets.
- Stray cats are cats who were once socialized to humans (often lost or abandoned pets) and retain some comfort with people; with time and patience, many strays can be re-acclimated to indoor life.
- The term community cat acts as an umbrella for all unowned, outdoor cats, encompassing both stray and feral individuals; community cats may range from friendly and approachable to extremely wary or fearful of humans, depending on their history and current interactions.
At Animal Admiration, we care about all the cats in the Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, Richmond, and West Houston area. We do our best to support their care in our community by promoting education surrounding their role in our ecosystem, providing financial support for programs dedicated to their care, and giving them space when we see ferals that are not interested in interacting with us.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
The best way to support community cats is to ensure that we control their populations – by reducing their ability to procreate.
TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) involves trapping feral cats, having them spayed/neutered and vaccinated, then returning them to their colony, which stops the cycle of overpopulation and improves health. In addition, monitoring colonies post-TNR, including maintaining records of each cat’s status and health, feeding them, creating litter areas, protecting them from extreme temperatures, etc., helps ensure ongoing welfare and disease prevention.
The following local organizations offer TNR support, volunteers, and training in our area:
Katy Pet Wellness Solutions (aka Katy Pet Vet)
The Feral Cat Assistance Program
Feeding Stations and Shelters
If you are interested in adopting a feral colony and providing the care they need, following are some of the tasks you’ll have to cover:
- Establish regular food and water stations at discreet, consistent locations; feeding at set times to avoid attracting wildlife and nuisance animals
- Build or purchase weatherproof, insulated outdoor shelters (straw is preferred for insulation) to protect feral cats from harsh weather, especially in winter
- Provide outdoor litter boxes with sand or peat moss to minimize neighborhood issues and promote hygiene
Alley Cat Allies, a leading organization in the movement to protect and improve cats’ lives through innovative programs and advocacy, has a Colony Care Guide with all the details you need to take this on.
Community Advocacy and Education
If you want to help but cannot commit to managing a colony on your own, here are a few more ways you can support community cats in our area:
- Volunteer with or donate to rescue groups and organizations focused on feral cat welfare
- Educate friends and neighbors about TNR and colony management to address concerns and gain support, focusing on humane, non-lethal solutions
- Pool resources with other caregivers and local groups to supply food, shelters, and medical care for the colony
- Communicate with property owners before setting up feeding stations and shelters, and keep everything clean and low-profile
Caring for Community Cats in West Houston
Unfortunately, many people view community cats as a nuisance and wish for them to be removed. With education, we can change minds. With TNR, we can protect bird populations while allowing cats to manage rodent populations, a known benefit of community cats.
Do you care for feral or community cats? We are happy to help you care for your outdoor cats during our pet care visits! Just let us know, and we’ll be sure to spread the love to your backyard cats when caring for your indoor kitties.
The Best Care for Katy, Fulshear & Cypress Cats
Animal Admiration Pet Care offers customizable dog walking, dog sitting, cat sitting, home, plant, and chicken care in Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Energy Corridor, Memorial, West Houston, and Cypress. For new clients, please contact us at info@animaladmiration.com or (281) 391-1015 to learn about our in-home pet care services.
Existing clients, schedule your pet care visits here.
If you are outside our above-listed areas, please visit Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters to find a professional pet care provider near you.
Brooke Rozell began her professional pet sitting career in 2003. In 2011, she established Animal Admiration to bring trusted, professional pet care to the Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, and West Houston areas while elevating the pet sitting industry as a whole. Brooke is an active member of Pet Sitters International, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, the Texas Pet Sitters Association, and the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about Brooke.
