improving and protecting the lives of community cats through trap/neuter/return
Stray Cat Project is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of feral and stray cats. We strive to end the overpopulation of free-roaming cats by trapping, spaying/neutering and returning these cats to their territory (TNR).
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Stray Cat Project is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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WELCOME!
OUR
STORY
It all started -- quite unintentionally -- on a snowy, bitterly cold day in January 2014 when a local resident posted on Facebook that two very small kittens were desperately scratching on her front door, begging to come in. Unable to capture the kittens herself nor able to reach any rescues due to the holiday weekend, the homeowner asked whomever was available to come help these kittens. The call was answered by a mother and her young son who, after a comical half hour of chasing the rascals in the snow, captured them and took them home. Thanks to the power of social media, a handful of potential adopters were located and, with the help of the Bucks County SPCA, the kittens found their forever home where they continue to live happily ever after.
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The scene repeated itself (minus the snow) a few months later when a litter of kittens and their mother were found living under a deck in the same neighborhood. This called to our attention the plight of free-roaming cats in our area. Without any programs to help curb the cat population, these stray cats are free to reproduce incessantly, adding to the growing cat population and impacting their quality of life as well as that of our residents. It was then that a group of concerned citizens decided that they needed to do something and formed the Lower Makefield Stray Cat Project. Since then, our reach has grown and our name has changed to Stray Cat Project.
Our group is composed of students, retirees, parents, grandparents and professionals. Most of us have full-time jobs. We share a love for animals and are passionate about curbing the overpopulation of cats in our community for their benefit and for the benefit of the residents of Lower Bucks County.
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The specific objectives and purposes of the Stray Cat Project are:
1. To trap, neuter and return feral cats in an effort to control the feral/community cat population.
2. To help adoptable cats find forever homes in cooperation with our rescue partners.
3. To educate and promote the importance of spaying/neutering animals.
4. To educate the public on the importance of feral/community cats in our ecosystem.
5. To educate the public on how to care for feral/community cats.
6. To promote and advance public education concerning responsible cat ownership.
Cleo and Jax, the kittens that launched Stray Cat Project
OUR
FOCUS:
TNR
Stray Cat Project strives to curb the population of feral/stray cats in our community through a method called trap/neuter/return (TNR).
TNR is a process whereby cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered and then returned to their home territory. TNR does not involve euthanization nor relocation of the cats unless their lives are in danger. TNR is the most humane and effective way of controlling the community cat population. It improves the lives of cats, addresses community concerns, reduces complaints about cats, and stops the breeding cycle.
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Typically, a homeowner will call to inform us that he is concerned about a cat on his property that is not his. Stray Cat Project will set trap(s) on the property to catch the cat(s), transport them to a veterinarian for spay or neuter surgery, administer a rabies vaccination and perform an ear tip (the universally accepted method to identify a spayed/neutered and vaccinated community cat). Once the cat is ready to be released, the volunteer will return the cat to the area where it was found.
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Stray Cat Project is able to provide these services due to the generosity of our volunteers and supporters. There is no fee for our services but we very much appreciate a contribution in any amount to help defray our costs. All contributions to Stray Cat Project are tax-deductible.
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Stray Cat Project does not maintain an animal shelter and is not a full-service rescue group in the traditional sense. Whereas our focus is TNR, we rarely have animals available for adoption.
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Looking for help with stray, feral, community cats or TNR?
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PLEASE STOP AND READ BELOW BEFORE MESSAGING US:
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Stray Cat Project receives dozens of requests for assistance per week from across the nation. Unfortunately, as a very small group of volunteers located in a specific area with full-time jobs and other commitments, we do not have the ability to operate outside of our immediate area in Lower Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Please do not contact us to physically help you with cats if you are outside of this area; we cannot help you. We can, however, provide direction so that you can find the help and resources you need. To that end:
TO FIND LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER AND TNR GROUPS IN YOUR AREA, visit Community Cats United's website, www.FixFinder.org, to search in your area. (Be sure to slide the mileage toggle to the right or you'll return a big fat 0.) Also, search on www.SpayUSA.org.
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Alley Cat Allies provides a wealth of information on their website at www.alleycat.org. There are also network partners across the nation which may be able to provide support. TO FIND AN ALLEY CAT ALLIES FERAL FRIENDS NETWORK PARTNER, fill out this form: https://www.alleycat.org/…/f…/feral-friends-network-connect/
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BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY may also have a network partner in your area. SEARCH THEIR DATABASE AT https://bestfriends.org/…/supporting-netwo…/network-partners
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IF YOU ARE UNSUCCESSFUL WITH THE ABOVE, Google "TNR near me" or "Low-cost veterinary clinics near me." You can also call your local SPCA or humane society to find out who the TNR groups are in your area. Low-cost clinics can also refer you to a TNR or rescue group as they are working together to process countless animals per week.
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LOOK FOR THE MONEY! Grant money may be available for low-cost or no-cost services. Ask the clinics if they are aware of any animal welfare organizations that provide vouchers for reduced cost/no-cost services for good Samaritans like you. Animal welfare groups typically do not waste valuable resources on advertising so you're going to have to call around to track down available funding.
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Still have questions? Feel free to contact us. All of us at Stray Cat Project are volunteers and learned "on the job." We're happy to share our experience with others to help improve the lives of community cats throughout the globe.
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Thank you for all you do for the kitties!
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If you still need to reach us.....