What to Do if Neighbors Complain
When neighbors complain about community cats, it is important to swiftly address their concerns in a manner that is calm, productive, and oriented toward a peaceful solution.
Every solution, however, should involve allowing the cats to remain in their outdoor homes. Removal into indoor homes is not acceptable, as community cats are generally not socialized …
Interacting with Animal Control
If you find yourself interacting with animal control officers or local law enforcement, check out our guide Know Your Rights: How to Talk to Local Authorities. It will tell you everything you need to know.
Note that animal control cannot force you to trap cats yourself, relinquish cats to the shelter, or allow them to …
How to Handle a Citation or Fine
Being threatened with or receiving a citation can be a very difficult and scary situation. Alley Cat Allies cannot provide legal advice, but we do have some resources that should help.
Know your rights
See our guide; Know Your Rights: How to Talk to Local Authorities. Note that animal control cannot force you to trap …
Working With Law Enforcement to Protect Cats
If someone has made threats against the cats you care for, or if the cats have already been harmed or killed, you should immediately file a police report. Intentionally injuring or killing a cat is a criminal offense. See our information on what to do if cats have been threatened and what to do if …
Fighting Laws and Policies That Endanger Cats
If there is a law being proposed that would endanger cats’ well-being, or if there are already bad laws in place, there are things you can do to advocate for the cats and fight the bad laws.
First, you need to know your local laws that relate to cats. Check out our guide on …
Defending Cats Against Misinformation
Misinformation about cats can result in misguided polices that lead to cats being killed. It’s important to look at the facts, rather than believe sensationalized media hype or emotional arguments. You can help protect cats, and debunk misinformation that might come up during discussions or conflicts about community cats, by knowing accurate information.
Cats …
Connecting with Fellow Cat Advocates
Connecting with other people who care for cats can be really helpful.
Cat advocates unite! If you care about cats, you’re in good company. Cat advocates live all over the world and defy stereotypes. When we come together to protect and improve the lives of all cats, we can achieve so much.
If you …
Know What's Going on in Your Community
There are cats in every community, but how these cats are treated can differ from place to place. Knowing what happens to cats in your community is important, lifesaving information: it can help you advocate for better policies for cats, and help you act quickly when a crisis occurs.
Here’s how you can learn …
Educating Others
… of the essential steps of TNR. This will help explain to others what you’re doing.
More about Community Cats
Community Cats and the Public–A Healthy Relationship Community cats are not a public health threat.
Community Cat Health Analysis: Living Healthy Lives Outdoors Community cats live healthy lives in their outdoor homes.
The Natural …
Go to: Educating Others
Organize your Community for Neighborhood TNR
Getting your community involved in a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) effort is a great pro-active step in protecting and improving the lives of cats. Here’s how to get started:
Hold a How to Help Community Cats Workshop (or have a screening of our webinar “Helping Cats in Your Community”). Get the word out …