By Anita B. Stone. Photos by Joni Stone.
Feral cats and cat colonies are an ongoing issue in communities across the country—one I’ve experienced personally. Years ago, I discovered three tiny kittens hiding behind a bush in my yard. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I knew I had to help.
This is the story of what I learned—and how we can all make a difference for stray and feral cats.
Understanding Feral vs. Stray Cats
According to recent estimates, there are between 100 and 164 million feral cats in the United States. It’s no surprise they’re showing up in our neighborhoods.
At first, I assumed the kittens in my yard had been dumped. But I later learned from a friend who volunteers with a cat rescue that they were likely feral—unsocialized cats who’ve either never had contact with humans or have reverted to wild behavior after extended time outdoors. Unlike strays, who may be lost or abandoned pets, feral cats are typically fearful of people and unlikely to adapt to indoor life. She also explained, “There are a number of strays, not feral, who are open to being around humans but have trust issues due to the time they have lived alone outdoors.”
Why Colonies Form
Feral cats tend to form colonies—groups made up of multiple generations that stick together as long as food is available. These cats can detect food from up to 50 yards away, thanks to a powerful sense of smell and a specialized organ called the Jacobson’s organ, which helps them locate pheromones left by other cats.
If one cat finds food, others will follow. That’s how a few kittens turned into a colony of eight on my property over the years.
The Problem with Doing Nothing
Many people wonder: why not just leave feral cats alone? The problem is reproduction. A single unspayed female can produce up to 18 kittens a year. Without intervention, populations quickly spiral out of control—becoming both a neighborhood concern and a welfare issue for the cats themselves.
A Humane Solution: TNR
That’s where Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) comes in. With help from a local rescue group, I connected with Melissa St. John, a volunteer with Alley Cats and Angels, a nonprofit in Wake County focused on helping feral and stray cats. “TNR is about more than saving feral cats,” says St. John. “It is the future of animal control and sheltering. It is the embracing of programs to improve communities and the cats they saved.”
The process is simple: cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and either ear-tipped or given a tattoo to indicate they’ve been treated. Whenever possible, they’re also microchipped. After recovery, they’re returned to their original location to live out their lives without contributing to overpopulation.
TNR is not only more compassionate than euthanasia—it’s also more cost-effective. Euthanizing a single cat can cost up to $300, while TNR averages around $50–$60 per cat.
A Local Movement
Alley Cats and Angels isn’t alone. Wake County is home to a coalition of rescue groups supporting TNR, including Cat Angels Pet Adoptions, Operation Catnip, SAFE Haven for Cats, Paw Prints Animal Rescue and others. Their combined efforts have made a measurable impact on reducing feral populations while protecting community health.
Marie Brewer, who founded Alley Cats and Angels in 1990, helped bring TNR to the Raleigh area. As a result of their hard work, the group has become mainstream and a benchmark of humane care for animals. Since then, thousands of communities across the U.S. have adopted similar models—some as grassroots efforts, others as official municipal policy.
A Personal Note
Despite our efforts, we weren’t able to trap the mother of the original litter in time. After leaving her third litter in our yard, she disappeared—hopefully to find help elsewhere. But her kittens became part of a new generation we were able to care for and eventually sterilize.
Caring for feral cats takes time, patience, and coordination. But it also brings hope. With the right support, we can reduce suffering and help these animals live healthier, safer lives—without resorting to cruelty.
Resources
- Wake Community Cat Helpline: 919-743-2287
- Safe Care Spay Neuter Clinic: 8411-133A Garvey Dr., Raleigh | 919-872-7730 |
- Alley Cats and Angels: alleycatsandangels.org
- Wake County Animal Center:
Member Organizations of Wake County’s TNR Coalition
Alley Cats and Angels • Cat Angels Pet Adoptions • Paw Prints Animal Rescue • Operation Catnip • SAFE Haven for Cats • Safe Care Spay & Neuter Clinic • Shirley’s Animals Ministry • SPCA of Wake County • Wake Voice for Animals
