Frequently Asked Questions
What are community cats and why do we have so many?
Community cats are unowned cats living in Hamilton neighbourhoods and other cities.
Community cats include:
- STRAY CATS: lost and abandoned pets who may be suitable for a home.
- FERAL CATS: cats with little or no contact with people, are fearful and generally unsuitable for a home.
Many cats aren’t fixed (spayed or neutered). This results in more cats than there are homes for them. These cats often end up on the street. One female cat, as young as 5 months old, can have an average 3 litters of kittens a year (that might be up to 15 kittens!), and the cycle carries on.
How many community cats do we have in Hamilton and surrounding areas?
It is impossible to know exact numbers for existing community cats in Hamilton, as numbers are changing daily due to new kittens, dangers which lead to community cat death and the rate of lost or abandoned cats. However, it is estimated that there are 30-50 thousand cats on our Hamilton streets. The overpopulation of community cats is why TNVR is so important!
What does TNVR stand for?
Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return. For more information on the program: HBSPCA’s TNVR Program
Who pays for the cost of HBSPCA’s TNVR program?
The overall cost of TNVR for one cat is $110. The registered colony caregiver is responsible for a $25 fee, which covers spay/neuter, FVRCP and rabies vaccines, microchipping and topical medicine for basic deworming. The fantastic response to HBSPCA’s Giving Tuesday campaign has recently reduced the cost to caregivers from $45 to $25 per cat. The remaining cost of TNVR is paid by Hamilton Burlington SPCA, which is $85 per cat because of generous donations from their community supporters.
Donate to HBSPCA TNVR Program.
How do I register to become a colony caregiver?
If you are feeding community cats, you should register as a colony caregiver through HBSPCA to continue to feed. Feeding and fixing (spaying/neutering) go hand in hand. Follow the link to find information and the application to be a colony caregiver on HBSPCA’s website.
Is there help to trap the cats in my colony?
We have volunteers who can provide advice and aid in the trapping of your colony cats. We are always looking for new volunteers to help with trapping as well.
Where do I get humane traps?
HBSPCA has humane traps, available to registered colony caregivers, that can be borrowed with a deposit and must be returned after use. Some volunteers also have traps that can be used if you are connected with someone to help.
Can community cats be moved to a new area/territory?
No, community cats should not be moved to a new area. In cases where community cats are in danger if returned back to their original territory, cats can be placed into a barn program. In these rare situations, there are strict protocols to follow to ensure the cat becomes accustomed to their new territory. Moving cats to a new territory after being trapped is unethical and harmful to the cats.
Studies have found that when cats are removed from an area, new cats will then move in. This is called the Vacuum Effect. Follow the link below to learn more about the vacuum effect and why cat removal is an ineffective way to reduce the community cat population.
As always, reach out if you have questions.
How does micro-chipping work?
The community cats in a colony are all implanted with a microchip and the information linked to the microchip is that of the colony caregiver. There are many benefits to micro-chipping owned cats as well as community cats that have been returned to their colonies after TNVR.
Find out more at 24 PetWatch.
Why are the cats ear-tipped?
Ear-tipping is the universal sign of an altered (spayed or neutered) community cat. A quarter inch is removed from the tip of the left ear in a straight line cut. This does not harm the cat beyond a short healing time. Ear-tips help us to know which cats have been spayed/neutered in a colony and which cats are yet to be put through the TNVR program.
Do I need to talk with my neighbours about community cats?
Letting your neighbours know about what you are doing as a registered colony caregiver is very important. Whether your neighbour likes or dislikes the presence of the cats, we can all agree that fewer on the street is better for everyone involved. If you would like help to speak to your neighbours, please reach out. Check out these documents to help you when speaking about community cats and TNVR.
Feral Cat Initiative- Love Cats? Hate Cats? Resource
What do I do if neighbours complain?
As a registered colony caregiver, you are permitted by law to feed and trap the community cats in your area. Following best practices that can be learned in our TNVR 101 Workshop can greatly lower your chance of complaints about the cats for which you are caring.
Alley Cat Allies has fantastic tips on how to speak with neighbours who don’t like the cats in the community. We are also here to help!
How do I deter community cats from my property?
There are many ways to deter cats from your property. The links below provide some humane solutions to those who want to keep community cats away.
What happens when community cats are friendly?
At HCCN we strive to release only feral community cats back to their territory and find rescue placement for those who would be otherwise suitable for an indoor home. Having a plan for friendly cats and kittens is important before trapping begins. Check out our resources page to reach out to local rescues for friendly community cats.
