Community Cats: Trap-Neuter-Return

Meet our Community Cats!

We are deeply committed to supporting community cats and their caregivers. We often hear that neighborhoods come together to appreciate their outdoor cats – and that the cats can be connectors who bring people together. Many people are surprised to learn that in DC, it is legal for cats to live outdoors.  

Community Cats: Neighbor Helping Neighbor

Community cats live in our neighborhoods and have no particular home or owner. Many of these cats do, however, have caregivers who provide them with food, water and shelter during extreme weather. With their caregivers’ assistance, community cats have the support they need to live successfully outdoors. Most of these cats are not social and are therefore not good candidates for adoption.

Providing food and shelter for the cats helps keep them happy and healthy. It also deters cats from foraging in trash cans and setting up homes where they are not wanted. The best caregivers are community members who have cats living in their neighborhoods and who help support the cats’ care! HRA encourages caregivers to feed and shelter cats in a way that reduces conflicts with neighbors who may not want the cats on their properties and to be proactive in reducing conflicts when they arise.

If you see or feed community cats, please help ensure they are spayed or neutered and vaccinated! 

At the Humane Rescue Alliance, we address the needs of the cats who live outdoors in the District and supports members of the public who care for and coexist with them. Our main objective is to keep these cats happy and healthy through the use of spay or neuter and vaccinations. We also offer resources and guidance in caring for and mitigating potential conflict with cats in the community—including methods for humane deterrence (read our humane deterrent tip sheet).

Trap-Neuter-Return Saves Lives

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the practice of humanely trapping, spaying or neutering, vaccinating and returning community cats to their outdoor homes. TNR helps reduce the euthanasia of unowned cats, eliminates reproduction and keeps cats healthy. TNR also reduces many of the unwanted side effects of mating, such as fighting, yowling, territory marking and roaming. The DC government also promotes TNR (D.C. Code §8-1802).

We depend on the participation of community members like you to help care for the District’s community cats! Learn how to get involved at our resources page.

• Community Cat Resources
• Why the eartip on outdoor cats?
   

Services and Policies

The Humane Rescue Alliance offers a FREE monthly TNR clinic for community cats who live in DC. The clinic provides:

• Spay or neuter surgeries
• FVRCP and rabies vaccinations
• Microchips
• Ear-tips

For cats trapped outside of DC the package is $75.

Appointments are required, and all cats must arrive at the clinic in a humane trap. Traps are available for loan with a refundable deposit from our Oglethorpe St. location. 

Email [e-mail] to make an appointment or for more information.