Community Cats Alive
   
Community cats don't need a home. They already have one.
 

 
This website was designed and is maintained by volunteers of Community Cats Alive.

Contact us . . .

Community Cats Alive specializes in large-scale, whole-colony Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) of free-roaming community cats. Research demonstrates that high-intensity TNVR is the most effective way to control the population growth of the cats and simultaneously save the most lives. Our community cat caregivers play a vital role, ensuring that the cats are fixed, vaccinated, fed, and sheltered in a responsible manner. They also keep an eagle eye out for any newcomer cats that may be dumped or otherwise join the colony. Over time, the number of cats declines.

We do not move or relocate the cats. Doing so only creates a "vacuum" effect whereby new un-neutered unvaccinated cats move in to replace those removed. We want a fixed, vaccinated, stable colony to remain to hold the territory against newcomers. And because the cats are vaccinated, the colony provides an important buffer between vector species for rabies (like bats and raccoons) and humans.

Unfortunately, we do not have an adoption program or shelter. We stress the importance of getting any cats fixed and vaccinated BEFORE they have kittens. You may not think of doing TNVR until kittens show up, but it is preferable to prevent any new litters to begin with. However, if you do find very young kittens, LEAVE THEM BE. They need their mama, and she will be back to care for them. Too much fuss and she'll just move them to another location. Once the kittens start locomoting on their own and eating somewhat on their own, it is very important to handle them so they become accustomed to humans. Unless young kittens are handled significantly from 3 weeks to 8 weeks, they are unlikely to become sufficently socialized to humans to be adopted. We generally ask that others foster the kittens, socialize them, find them homes, and we will help set up with a low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination package.

Many groups prefer to take in friendly social outdoor cats and find them adoptive homes. We personally prefer that they return outside after neutering and vaccinating, provided they are otherwise healthy and have a caregiver arrangement. We certainly don't want to take someone's pet cat who happened to get out, and we also know that friendly and feral community cats live together in mutually supportive relationships that allow them to survive and thrive. We also know that lost kitties are far more likely to make their way back home if left where they are, as only about 1-2% of lost cats ever make it home if taken to a shelter. Finally, if the cat is extremely friendly, chances are it will hang around at a "friendly" home, where it will likely be adopted off the street. That's a good thing, because we also know that far more kitties find homes straight off the street than from shelters.

Bottom line . . . community cats don't need a home, they already have one!

If you would like our help planning a large TNVR project, we can add you to our project list and assist you in organizing the effort. Just remember -- do not trap until you have a plan! We can help you with that plan.

Email us:
    info@CommunityCatsAlive.org

Mail us:
    Community Cats Alive
    PO Box 992
    Lewiston, NY 14092-992

Leave a voice message:
    (716) 862-9183

Donate via PayPal:
    billing@CommunityCatsAlive.org
    or click the donate button below