5 Reasons Why Caring for Ferals Actually Matters
Caring for our community’s stray and feral cats isn’t charity, it’s common sense.
Giving our street cats a chance at a safe and healthy life is a smart, effective, and community-focused solution to a widespread problem that impacts dozens of communities across Palm Beach County.
Controls Chaos & Populations
Left unmanaged, feral cat colonies can grow quickly.
TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) is our highest priority when it comes to caring for our community’s colonies. TNR helps to stabilize rampant breeding and to control the seemingly never ending kitten cycle. Studies have shown that overtime, TNR can reduce colony sizes by more than 60%.
Healthier Streets, Happier Cats
Sterilized cats are less likely to roam and fight which means fewer injuries and less spread of disease.
When provided with shelter and regular feedings, cats stay within their colonies, have less impact on local wildlife, and are more peaceful members of our communities. Through daily visits, our volunteer caretakers are able to monitor colonies for new members, health problems, and injuries. Over time, this commitment manifests healthier, happier lives for not only our street cats, but their human neighbors they share communities with.
Win-Win for Public Health
Vaccines are an essential part of the TNR process, which is why you’ll sometimes see TNR referred to as TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return). Vaccinating our street cats helps to prevent the spread of diseases like rabies, and reduces parasite infestations.
In return, our feral cats pay it forward by helping to control the pesky rodent problem many of our alleyways and communities deal with. Rats in particular are known to spread diseases like leptospirosis and salmonella, diseases that can be a concern amongst human members of our communities.
Saving Lives Saves Cash
When we properly care for our community’s colonies, it is much more cost-effective than euthanasia.
Often referred to as “catch-and-kill,” this method of feral cat management has been proven to be ineffective due to a phenomenon known as “The Vacuum Effect.”
Ethically caring for our colonies also means fewer cats entering shelters, and ultimately, less strain on taxpayer-funded services.
Stronger, Kinder Communities
When we come together and care for our cats, something cool happens— compassion spreads, and we connect as a community.
Caring for our sweet street kittys is an opportunity for all of us to practice ethical stewardship that contributes to more balanced communities for us all.
Supporting our feral cat populations isn’t just about the cats. It’s about doing right by our neighborhoods, our ecosystems, and each other.
Help Support Our Mission
When we care for the more vulnerable, we all benefit.
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we rely on donations to make our efforts possible. Whether it’s a monthly recurring donation, one-time gift, or items from our Amazon Wishlist, your support is what keep our traps set, our colonies cared for, and our outreach moving.
100% of your contibutions go directly to manifesting a more humane future for our community.