Community cats are cats without human caretakers, are not tame and are afraid of people (feral cats). Our no-cost spay/neuter Community Cats Program for Santa Rosa and Unincorporated Sonoma County residents follows the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) approach to prevent unwanted litters and protect their well-being.
TNR is the most effective and humane way to manage and care for our community cat population and stop the breeding cycle of cats while allowing them to live out their natural lives. This approach allows the cats to be spayed or neutered and then returned to the environment they call home. Returning cats to their territories also eliminates the "vacuum effect," which occurs when removing or relocating cats. Removal of the cats invites new unaltered cats to move in or remaining unaltered cats to breed more. Community cats who are friendly will stay with us at Animal Services and become candidates for adoption.
You’ll know a community cat who has been spayed or neutered already because it will have the tip of its ear removed. This is done by the surgeon while the cat is under anesthesia and is swift, painless, and heals rapidly. A ‘tipped’ cat ear is a universal sign for a sterilized cat.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND A CAT WITHOUT A TIPPED EAR:
- Call us or Forgotten Felines to discuss spay/neuter and trapping options
- Bring your community cat for their Spay/Neuter appointment
- Re-release the cat back into its original environment
Please note: we only accept three community cats per household per 12-month period. If you need additional spay/neuter assistance, please see contact Forgotten Felines, listed above.