Helping Community Cats

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Note:
The term "community cat" broadly refers to any outdoor - living domestic cat that does not have an owner. This includes both feral cats and stray cats.
Stray cats have experienced human care and may readjust to it, while feral cats are essentially wild and thrive best in managed outdoor settings.

Helping stray cats in our neighborhood can make a big difference in their lives by providing them with safety, care, and the chance for a healthier future.
Stray cats often face challenges such as finding food, shelter, and protection from harsh weather or predators. By stepping in to help, you can improve their quality of life and reduce the risks they face daily.

By showing compassion and taking practical steps, you not only help the stray cats themselves but also contribute to creating a community where animals are treated with kindness and care.

Provide Food and Water

Set up a feeding station: Offer clean water and nutritious cat food in a safe, consistent spot. Wet food is often more appealing, but dry food can last longer outdoors.

Regular schedule: Feed them at the same time daily to build trust and help establish a routine.

Create Shelter

• Use your garage as a safe space, ensuring it's warm and free of hazards.
• Repurpose an old cooler as an insulated shelter.
• Transform a plastic storage bin into a cozy cat shelter.
• Turn an unused doghouse into a cat-friendly haven.
• Place a covered laundry basket with straw bedding. Thermal mats will keep the shelter warm without electricity.

Avoid materials like towels or regular blankets that retain moisture and can become cold when wet.

Ohlone Humane Society offers spay-neuter assistance to residents of Fremont, Newark and Union City. Their co-pay vouchers help facilitate the spay and neuter of feral cats.
Spay & Neuter Assistance

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane and effective method to manage and improve the lives of community cats. Here are the key benefits:

Population Control
Spaying/neutering prevents more kittens from being born, gradually decreasing the number of stray and feral cats in the area.

Improved Health for Cats
Spayed/neutered cats are less likely to contract and spread diseases like FIV and FeLV.
Neutering eliminates risks of uterine infections, testicular cancer, and reduces the likelihood of certain reproductive cancers.
Cats no longer experience the physical toll of repeated pregnancies or the stress of mating behaviors.

Better Behavior
Neutered males are less likely to fight, reducing injuries and noise from territorial disputes.
Spaying eliminates loud yowling associated with mating behavior.

Enhances Community Relations
Reduced fighting, spraying, and loud noises from mating behaviors make TNR cats less disruptive to neighborhoods.

Cost-Effective Solution
By preventing the birth of kittens, fewer animals end up in shelters, reducing euthanasia rates and shelter overcrowding.

Supports the Cats' Natural Lifestyle
After neutering, cats are returned to their colony, where they continue to live without the stress of reproduction.

Socialize and Rehome (If Possible)

Some stray cats may be feral (wild) and prefer outdoor life, while others are lost or abandoned cats that can adapt to home life.

Seek adopters - Work with shelters or rescue groups to find homes for stray cats that can be socialized.

Sharing Resources for Caring for Community Cats

Dear neighbors, let's come together and share recommendations for good vet clinics and veterinarians who accept community cats.

If you know of any trusted professionals who offer care for feral or stray cats, please share their information.

By working together, we can ensure these cats receive the care they need.