Helping Homeless Cats

Spending time every week with homeless cats is a great way to help them build trust. However, it’s important to respect their limits. Some cats may eventually allow you to pet or play with them while others will never let you get much closer than a couple of feet away. Either way, your presence is benefitting the cats.

Whether it’s basic health exams, rabies vaccinations, or spay/neuter surgeries, local shelters and animal welfare organizations provide a multitude of resources to homeless cats. Help them out by donating money or supplies such as food, blankets, or toys.

Most animal shelters are filled to capacity and can use volunteers who are willing to open their homes and maintain the cats until they can find a permanent residence. Young homeless kittens and abused cats benefit the most from the close interaction and constant care.

Cats don’t need a lot of space, just a space that is large enough for them to stand and move about and stay safe from the harshest outdoor elements. Homemade shelters can be crafted out of nearly anything: from a cardboard box (think of the heavy cardboard used for packing television sets) to an anchored plastic garbage can. Consult the local cat shelter to learn what would work best in your area.

According to the Humane Society, bans against feeding feral cats do not make the cats go away. In fact, quite the opposite occurs. They tend to move closer into human neighborhoods as they grow more hungry and desperate. Practice compassion and set up a feeding and water station for homeless cats.

Homeless cats often suffer from a variety of diseases some of which can quickly spread among other cats and even to humans. If possible, bring your neighborhood feral cat to a veterinarian for a health check-up and to spay or neuter the cat if it has not already undergone the procedure.

Want to help put a stop to the needless euthanization of millions of adoptable cats that are "put to sleep" in shelters every year? Coordinate with the local animal shelters or animal control agencies to develop a spay/neuter outreach program in your community.

Just because cats are homeless doesn’t mean they deserve any less decency than your pets. Should you witness people abusing the cats, report it to your local police department or animal control agency. Local humane organizations or animal shelters can sometimes be of assistance as well.

Speak to your neighbors about the plight of homeless cats and encourage friends to help the cats in whatever way they can.