About Community Cats
Community Cats are free-roaming, unowned cats who live outdoors. While some may be friendly and even seek out human affection, others may be feral and avoid contact with people entirely. Many of these cats are cared for by compassionate neighbors who provide food, water, and shelter. These cats are not lost or in need of rescuing — outdoors is their home. Trying to bring them indoors or place them in shelters is often distressing for them and rarely results in successful outcomes.
Why TNR Matters
Without intervention, unaltered cats will continue to reproduce — quickly. Spaying and neutering is the only humane and effective solution. This approach is known as TNR: Trap-Neuter-Return. With TNR, a well-managed Community Cat population can:
Community Cats are highly effective at controlling rodent populations—and they do it without poisons, traps, or pest control services.
By spaying, neutering, and vaccinating through TNR, you help stabilize the colony and reduce the spread of disease among both cats and the surrounding community.
Caring for Community Cats can bring neighbors together, fostering stronger community bonds through shared responsibility, compassion, and cooperation.
TNR significantly reduces nuisance behaviors like spraying, loud yowling, and fighting by eliminating mating-driven hormones and territorial disputes.
What Is TNR/SNR?
SNR (commonly known as TNR) or shelter, neuter, release is a humane option for controlling free-roaming cat populations. Any cat that has been through an SNR/TNR program will be marked with a tipped ear.
Trap-Neuter-Return is the gold-standard method for humanely managing Community Cats:
- Trap – Humanely trap the cat using a live trap
- Neuter/Spay – Bring the cat to a clinic for sterilization, vaccination, and ear-tipping (a universal sign the cat has been altered)
- Return – Once recovered, return the cat to their original location
Trying to “remove” cats only creates a vacuum effect. More unaltered cats will move into the area to take advantage of the same resources.
How to Help Community Cats
Step 1: Trap
Community Cats are often wary of people and difficult to catch without the proper tools.
Option 1: Rent a Trap – Ohio Alleycat Resource (OAR) offers trap rentals. Rent a trap from OAR →
Option 2: Purchase a Trap – You can also purchase a humane trap online. We recommend the following model: Purchase trap here →
📌 TIP: Always use a trap cover and monitor the trap frequently. Trapped cats should not be left in the elements.
Step 2: Neuter or Spay
We partner with Ohio Alleycat Resource and UCAN Nonprofit Spay & Neuter Clinic to provide low-cost TNR services. Most clinics include rabies vaccination and ear-tipping in the TNR package.
Hamilton County Residents: You can schedule your own appointment with either provider:
- Ohio Alleycat Resource (OAR): ohioalleycat.org
- UCAN Nonprofit Spay & Neuter Clinic: ucancincinnati.org
📌 NOTE: Pricing varies and should be confirmed with each provider.
Step 3: Return the Cat
After surgery and recovery, the cat should be returned to the exact location where it was trapped. This is critical, as it’s where the cat knows how to survive and find resources.
Watch this video for tips on how to safely release the cat:
How to return a TNR cat post-surgery →
You may want to hold the cat post-surgery (typically 24–48 hours) to monitor the cat’s healing. If you have any concerns about how the cat is healing, contact the spay/neuter service provider.
Humane Deterrents for Community Cats
Relocation of free-roaming cats is stressful, dangerous, and illegal per the Ohio Revised Code. It is also an invitation for more cats to move into the area as the area is now vacant of cats and resources are still available to them.. So what can one do to prevent unwanted community cats on their property? Humane deterrents are often very effective.
