Community cats require a special veterinary approach that takes into account their unique needs, and the fact that they are not socialized to humans. This resource center is your source for in-depth information about community cats, their care, and their needs.
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Community Cat Health
Community cats are just as healthy as pet cats, and do not pose a public health risk.
- Community Cat Health Analysis: Living Healthy Lives Outdoors
- Community Cats and the Public: A Healthy Relationship – The science behind why community cats are safe members of our communities.
- Alley Cat Allies Spay/Neuter Clinic Findings Our clinic outcomes match published findings from clinics nationwide. The conclusion: feral cats are healthy, and more than 98% of cats who enter clinics can be safely returned to their outdoor homes.
- Rabies: A Public Health Victory
- Why NOT to Test for FIV and FeLV
- Distemper and Respiratory Virus Vaccine Practices for Feral Cats
- Non-Surgical Sterilization for Cats? Not Yet
- Trap-Vasectomy-Hysterectomy-Return (TVHR) is No Substitute for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return
Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return, also known as TNVR, is a program in which cats are humanely trapped, brought to a veterinarian to be evaluated, neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped, then returned to their outdoor homes. TNVR helps outdoor cats live healthier lives, without the stresses of mating and pregnancy.
- Scientific Studies Document the Effectiveness of Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return
- Why Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return Feral Cats? The Case for TNVR
- Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return Learn about the Process
- Trapping Cats: How to Trap an Entire Colony
- The Vacuum Effect: Why Catch and Kill Doesn’t Work
Spay/Neuter
You are an essential element in Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate- Return for community cats by performing the surgical portion of the program. You put the “NV” in TNVR.
Community Cat Veterinary Services Protocol
Find the latest protocols and procedures for community cats.
- General Information
- Spay and Neuter
- Post-Surgery Recovery
- Non-Surgical Sterilization
- Vaccinations and Testing
The Cat Population
The latest research on cat populations and their spay/neuter status.
Kittens
Kittens found outdoors can be socialized, fostered, and adopted. If they’re old enough, they can instead be included in a Trap-Neuter-Return effort.
- Neonatal Kitten Care Webinar Series
- Kitten Progression Guide
- How to Care for and Socialize Feral Kittens
- Pediatric Spay/Neuter
Cat Behavior
A cat’s behavior and level of socialization can help guide your treatment.
- Community Cats: Get Informed – Get an overview on community cats and Trap-Neuter-Return
- Feral and Stray Cats: An Important Difference – Knowing how to tell the difference between a feral and a stray cat will help inform how best to interact with a cat or what, if any, intervention would be in each cat’s best interest.
- Special Considerations and Equipment Necessary for Handling a Feral Cat
- Faux Ferals: How to Soothe a Scared Stray to Increase Her Chances of Adoption – With patience and the right approach, you can help frightened stray cats relax and reveal their friendly personalities.
- Cultivating Cool Cats: Handling Felines in the Shelter so they Look and Feel Their Best – Joan Miller, renowned cat expert, presents tips for how to put the cat in your care at ease and bring out her best qualities to help her get adopted.
- Biology and Behavior of the Cat – Cats have lived outdoors for thousands of years and are part of the natural landscape. Studies prove that cats play important roles in balancing the local ecosystem.
- The Natural History of the Cat – Understanding cats’ place in history and human evolution proves that cats can be just as at home outside as they are inside. This overview reveals just how recently domestic cats came indoors, and how millions of this species continue to live healthy lives outdoors today, as all domestic cats are biologically adapted to do.