Community Cats
The Humane Rescue Alliance's community cat program addresses the needs of the unowned, community cats who live outdoors in the District and supports members of the public who care for and coexist with them. Our main objective is to keep these cats happy and healthy through the use of spay/neuter and vaccinations. We also offer resources and guidance in caring for and mitigating potential conflict with cats in the community—including methods for humane deterrence.
Learn more about HRA's Community Cat Program and our humane deterrent tips.
Trap-Neuter-Return Saves Lives
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the practice of humanely trapping, sterilizing & vaccinating, and returning community cats to their outdoor homes. TNR helps reduce the euthanasia of unowned cats, eliminates reproduction in sterilized cats, and keep cats healthy by providing vaccines. TNR also reduces many of the unwanted side effects of mating— fighting, yowling, territory marking, and roaming. TNR is also promoted by the DC government (D.C. Code §8-1802).
We depend on the participation of community members like you to help care for the District’s community cats through TNR! Learn how to get involved at our resources page.
Services & Policies
The Humane Rescue Alliance community cat program offers a FREE spay/neuter package for community cats who reside within the District of Columbia:
- Spay or neuter surgery
- FVRCP and rabies vaccinations
- Microchip
- Application of flea prevention
- Ear-tip
Appointments are required, and all cats must arrive at the clinic in a humane trap. Traps are available for loan with a refundable deposit from our Oglethorpe Street location. Contact our Community Cat program to schedule a pick up time: [email protected] or call 202-608-1356.
Community Cats: Neighbor Helping Neighbor
Community cats live in our neighborhoods and have no particular home or owner. Many of these cats do, however, have caregivers who provide them with food, water, and shelter during extreme weather. With their caregivers’ assistance, community cats have the support they need to live successfully outdoors. Most of these cats are not social and are therefore not good candidates for adoption.
Providing food and shelter for the cats helps keep them happy and healthy. It also deters cats from foraging in trash cans and setting up homes where they are not wanted. The best community cat caregivers are community members who have cats living in their neighborhoods and who help support the cats’ care! HRA encourages caregivers to feed and shelter cats in a way that reduces conflicts with neighbors who may not want the cats on their properties and to be proactive in reducing conflicts when they arise.
If you see or feed community cats, please help ensure they are sterilized and vaccinated!