It’s About Community…Community Cats, That Is
I have been thinking a lot about un-owned cats lately. From live release programs to spay/neuter impact, we are focusing more resources toward this very at-risk population.
Last week I had the honor to spend time meeting with Dr. Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, who was attending a meeting with me focused on measurement of spay/neuter impact. Dr. Levy is a powerhouse in the field and the director of Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. While discussing the measurement of unowned cats, Dr. Levy was adamant about using a term – Community Cats.
What is a “community cat” and why should we use that term as opposed to feral or stray or even free-roaming? ”Feral” is a term that should be reserved for cats who are truly unsocialized. Determination of a truly feral cat is still an area with many unknowns.
The “Is it Feral?” research conducted by the ASPCA’s Dr. Kat Miller, Dr. Margaret Slater, Dr. Kathy Makolinski and myself focused on an assessment to determine if a cat is unsocialized or a frightened pet, and we expect to have quite a spectrum of cats who might best thrive in a colony situation but are not feral.
I asked Dr. Levy why she prefers “community cats” as opposed to “feral,” “free-roaming” and the like. She told me, “The term ‘community cats’ acknowledges their niche in the community. It also embraces all types of un-owned free-roaming cats, including both feral and socialized cats who mingle in colonies, backyards, and front porches.”
While we may all hope for the perfect home for all cats – and for cats living without a home to be a thing of the ancient past – the reality is far from that nirvana. Cats are dying in shelters by the millions – and a community cat philosophy is likely a way to help save many more lives. Community cats put some responsibility on the community in which the cats live. Be it innovative programs like Feral Freedom, or some of the great barn cat programs – programs that trap, neuter and return or rehome socialized cats – these programs help to keep cages in shelters open, and send cats back to thrive in environments where they had been thriving.
Has your shelter or coalition embraced the concept of community cats? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Related links:
Is That Cat Feral?
Is That Cat Socialized…Inside the ‘Laboratory’
Feral Cats
Bright Idea: Barn Cat Program
Tags: Feral Cats, Spay/Neuter
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Laura Says:
Great post today, Emily! This is exactly the conversation we are having lately, and the basis for our goals in the coming year. Dr. Levy’s quote speaks so right on to what we have been saying. In our Feral Cat Assistance program, so many of our volunteers have formed relationships with residents in their trapping areas that are feeding and caring for cats that live outside, could never live indoors with a litterbox and other routine companion feline things, but are not feral, are totally approachable, and are, just as the ferals are, producing kittens. A kitten maker is a kitten maker, and we welcome these community cats into our feral fix program just the same.
Taryn Browne Says:
I love the term “community cats” as opposed to “feral cats” and from now on that is what I will call the cats who live on my front porch who were either abandoned by people who moved away or who have never been socialized to people at all. I would love to find a way to connect with other people in my city (Denver) to share resources and ideas and support, who also take care of a large number of community cats. A lot of my neighbors consider the community cats to be a nuisance and I do my best to keep the cats out of their yards. Also in Denver, it is illegal to feed, provide shelter or any kind of care to more than five cats at a time. I take care of approximately 15 cats! City Council recently signed a resolution, not a new law, that shows support for those organizations who care for feral cats in our neighborhoods. All of my community cats are spayed and neutered and are kept on a regular feeding schedule and they have shelters too. I love them dearly and I also worry about them. Thanks for sharing this article, it’s very good!
Taryn Browne