Community Cat Program
Community Cat Program
Community cats are those that live primarily outdoors and are unsocial to humans (feral). Over 50% of MCPAWS feline intakes each year are young kittens, largely born in the field to unaltered community cats. In response, MCPAWS has established our Community Cat Program in order to reduce these intakes and provide services to this population.
Often, community cats come together to live in colonies. Our program aims to work with individual in our community who are already providing care for these cats, by providing free spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations. All free-roaming, community cats (feral) qualify for surgery and no proof of low-income is required.
Are you caring for a colony of feral cats? Give us a call! We will lend you traps, help with transportation, and spay/neuter feral cats and kittens are re-release them back to your colony free of charge.


The Difference Between Stray Cats and Community Cats
A community cat is a primarily outdoor cat and unsocial to people (feral). The ASPCA defines a stray cat as someone’s pet who has become lost or who has been abandoned.
- Stray cats are usually tame and comfortable around people (e.g. rubbing against legs, purring, and meowing). Stray cats will often try to make a home near humans (e.g. in a garage or on a front porch). These cats can come to MCPAWS to be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and we will find them homes.
- Community cats are notably quiet, keep their distance, and will not allow humans to pet or handle them. These cats can be humanely trapped, neutered, and re-released (TNR). They are not safe to house at the shelter. They are essentially wild animals and dangerous to staff. Once these cats are neutered, we will ear-tip them to identify them as already fixed if they are trapped again.
What are the benefits of Re-Releasing Community Cats?
There are several reasons why Trap/Neuter/Release (TNR) is considered best practice when it comes to our community cats. Here are a few:
- Fewer cats: According to Alley Cat Allies, over time TNR reduces the size of feral cat colonies anywhere from 16% to 66%. Additionally, if you remove friendly kittens from a feral colony and put them up for adoption, the reduction in the number of cats will be immediate.
- Less smell: Neutered male cats will mark their territory less, thus cutting down on the smell in the community. And, of course, with fewer cats there will be less smell overall.
- Less noise: Neutered cats make less noise and fight less. In fact, some research indicates that animal control receives fewer feral cat complaints when TNR is implemented in a community.
- Rodent control: Although there is not a lot of research on this topic, some neighbors of feral cat colonies report a decrease in rodent populations.
- Disease reduction: Most rabies is transmitted by wildlife, not feral cats. Even so, the majority of TNR programs vaccinate ferals for rabies—meaning vaccinated feral cats are much less likely to acquire or transmit the virus and much less likely to pose a threat to humans or other animals. Additionally, some TNR programs offer a FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia) vaccination.

Support the Shelter and Donate Today!
$25
Microchip four cats
$50
Purchase enrichment items for all shelter cats
$75
Vaccinate seven dogs
$100
Provide formula for three orphan kittens
$150
Neuter three dogs
MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter
831 S. 3rd St #1375
McCall, ID 83638
208.634.3647
frontdesk@mcpaws.org
Shelter Hours:
Monday - Saturday:
11:30am to 5:00pm
Closed Sundays
No appointments needed to visit and adopt cats & dogs.
Please call (208) 634-3647 with questions
MCPAWS Thrift Store
301 Lenora Street
McCall, ID 83638
208.634.4434
DSkiftun@mcpaws.org
Thrift Store Hours:
Monday - Saturday:
11:00am to 5:00pm
Closed Sundays
Donation Drop Off: Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 3:00pm
MCPAWS Veterinary Hospital
8 Coho Lane
McCall, ID 83638
208.325.4510
Hospital@mcpaws.org
Hospital Hours:
Monday:
9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday - Friday:
8:00am to 5:00pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Please call (208) 325-4510 to schedule an appointment!
Mission
Transforming lives by strengthening the
human-animal connection.
Vision
A humane community where all animals are well
cared for and loved.