Feral & Community Cats
What is a Community Cat?
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A community cat is tame or feral and lives part or all of their existence outside. Often they are fed by community members or owners who love and care for them. Friendly neighborhood cats tend to be indoor and outdoor cats and are not lost at all. They are simply roaming, which is perfectly legal in Yolo County and something cats love to do.
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What is a Feral Cat?
Feral cats are generally born on the streets, have not been socialized to people, and fend for themselves. Therefore, they are not adoptable as pets and don’t belong indoors. But there are humane, effective options for managing feral cat populations.
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Feral cats are just as healthy as pet cats—with equally low rates of disease – and have the same lifespans. These cats manage to lead a good existence, but overpopulation is their greatest threat.
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The trap-neuter-return (TNR) program benefits cats and the community and has proven the most humane and effective method for managing feral cat populations. Humanely trapped, the feral cats are spayed/neutered and vaccinated and returned to their original location, thereby breaking the breeding cycle and mating behaviors. You can identify spayed/neutered ferals - they usually have one ear “tipped” or “notched.”​
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Removal or Catch and Kill Does Not Work
Catching and euthanizing is an endless proposition and doesn’t work. Feral cats choose a location because there is a food source and shelter. Removing feral cats from a location is very ineffective as it opens a territorial void for more unaltered cats to move in, starting the breeding cycle all over again. This method has proven ineffective because the food source (feeders, dumpsters, garbage, rodents, etc.) usually remains.
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We Can Make a Difference and Save Lives
Together, we can educate people about feral cats and spread the word that TNR is the humane and effective approach for feral cats.
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What if I found a kitten?
Please refer to our "Found a Kitten" section.
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Downloadable Resources
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How to Live With Cats in Your Neighborhood
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Online Resources
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Coalition for Community Cats – www.coalition4cats.org
Sacramento Feral Resources – www.sacferals.com
Alley Cat Allies – www.alleycat.org
Information on Kitten Fostering
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Spay/Neuter Resources for Community Cats
If you're interested in getting feral cats in your neighborhood fixed and are looking for free or low-cost resources, below are some clinic options.
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*PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SURGERY BEFORE BRINGING A CAT TO ANY OF THESE CLINICS. DO NOT TRAP A CAT UNTIL YOU HAVE A SLOT. ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE BEFORE TRAPPING*
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*ALL CATS ARE EARTIPPED AT TNR CLINICS - NO EXCEPTIONS*
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Transport Group to Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinics
Website: ycfspayneuter.com
Facebook Group: facebook.com/ycfspayneuter
Email: ycfspayneuter@gmail.com
This is a local rescue that offers transport to low-cost spay/neuter clinics in the greater Sacramento region. This group mostly handles owned or feral cat surgeries. Please email for more information. This group is a great resource if you are just getting started in fixing your colony or have additional questions on the process.
Transport Group to Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinics
The Yolo County SPCA operates a low-cost cat/kitten spay/neuter transport for residents of Yolo County. Through this program, we pick up cats from the YCSPCA Thrift Store in Davis, transport them to the Sacramento SPCA spay/neuter clinic, and return them to their owners at the end of the day. Please go to their website to set up an appointment.
6201 Florin-Perkins Road, Sacramento, CA
Email: feralcats@sspca.org
Website: sspca.org/feralcats
Go to Website for Appointments & Pricing Information
Website: sacanimal.org
Currently only available to residents of West Sacramento or Sacramento.
See Website or email for more information