If you've noticed feral, stray, or abandoned cats in your neighborhood, gathering a bit of information can significantly help them find a better life. Please note the specific location and time of day you spot these cats. This information is crucial for our efforts to safely capture them and potentially find them a loving home.
Most feral cats are naturally skittish and wary of humans, often due to a lifetime without proper care. They're typically hungry and dehydrated, and the vast majority are unaltered (not spayed or neutered). While some may view feral, stray and abandoned cats as a burden, we at Cat Rescue of Cloverdale see their potential. We believe they can become wonderful house or barn cats, longing for love and security just like any other creature.
When you see a roaming cat, it is helpful to note how many are present. Is it a lone cat, a large colony, or something in between? As feral or stray cats age, they can become more vulnerable, sometimes choosing to seek safety and less competition for resources.
You might be familiar with Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs. Many organizations employ this method: they trap feral cats, spay/neuter them, provide a rabies vaccine, and "ear-tip" them (a small, clean cut on one ear). If you see a cat with an ear tip, it indicates they've been through a TNR program.
Please reach out to us for more advice and support on what to do if you find a cat in your neighborhood. Although we do not provide TNR services, we can help guide you in finding a place that does or on how we can help depending on the unique circumstance. We're here to help these cats get the care they deserve.
