The Cats Next Door: Shedding Light on 7 Common Myths

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The Cats Next Door: Shedding Light on 7 Common Myths

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You may have seen them basking in the sun in your backyard, grooming themselves on a park bench or roaming around with other cats in the neighborhood. While some of these cats could be pets who are simply lost, there’s a good chance these fancy-free felines are what we call community cats.

Just as the name implies, community cats are part of our communities — but unfortunately there are more than a few misconceptions that surround them. We’re here to set the record straight by addressing seven of the most common myths about our cool community cats.

Myth: Stray cats and community cats are the same thing.

Truth: Community cats have typically never had a home in the traditional sense, and that’s how they like it. In fact, trying to force a free-roaming cat to be an indoor cat is often harmful, because they will probably have trouble adjusting to this type of setting. Stray cats, on the other hand, are usually socialized to humans and have most likely lived indoors as pets before getting lost or displaced from their homes.

Community cats spend their days doing the things they love without having the desire to be rescued.

Myth: Removing community cats will solve the population problem.

Truth: Actually, this could lead to other cats quickly moving into a vacant territory and causing a population rebound that’s often referred to as the “vacuum effect.”

The most effective and humane way to manage overpopulation is through a Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program, which prevents cats from reproducing and reduces annoying behaviors like yowling and fighting. This method involves setting humane traps to safely capture free-roaming cats without injury and with minimal stress. The trapped cats are then taken to a veterinary clinic where they’re neutered or spayed, vaccinated, given a health check, and ear-tipped to indicate that they’ve been sterilized and treated. After recovery, the cats are returned to their original location so they’re not displaced into unfamiliar territory. Read more about the benefits of TNR here.

Myth: Community cats don’t lead happy lives.

Truth: Au contraire. Community cats often live in family groups called colonies, where they bond and socialize with other cats. Well-adapted to the challenges of life outdoors, they navigate their environment with resilience and spend their days doing the things they love without having the desire to be rescued.

Myth: Community cats are vicious and pose a danger to humans.

Truth: The truth is that community cats are often wary of people, so they prefer to keep their distance and avoid contact with them. In fact, they’re much more likely to run and hide than attack us. While they aren’t inherently aggressive, community cats may naturally defend themselves if they feel cornered or threatened — which is why it’s so important to approach them calmly and carefully if you’re participating in a TNR program.

Myth: Community cats are unhealthy and have short lifespans.

Truth: Studies have shown that in managed TNR colonies, where cats can receive check-ups and vaccinations against rabies and other diseases, the overall health of community cats is surprisingly comparable to that of pet cats. So they can indeed live out their lives healthy and thriving in territories, without contributing to an overpopulation problem.

Myth: Community cats are a threat to bird populations.

Truth: Community cats have strong territorial instincts, so there’s a good chance they will stick around even if you stop feeding them.

The problem is continually feeding community cats without implementing safe and humane TNR practices that prevent them from reproducing. It’s important to keep in mind that female cats can get pregnant as young as four months old and deliver up to three litters every year — and kittens have a higher mortality rate caused by predators and illness.

Myth: Community cats will go away if you stop feeding them.

Truth: Sylvester and Tweety Bird cartoons aside, community cats mostly eat insects, rodents and scavenged food — and they aren’t as successful at hunting birds. Another interesting fact: rodents like rats commonly prey on nest eggs. And since cats prey on rats, they actually help control the predators that threaten bird populations.

What’s more, the many benefits of TNR also come into play when it comes to potential negative impact on wildlife in general. Fewer kittens born means fewer cats in the world — and this reduces the likelihood of wildlife disruption.

By debunking these common myths, we’re on a mission to nip misinformation in the bud and create a world that allows our community cats to enjoy the free-roaming lifestyle they love.

Be sure to share this information to educate others in your community, so we can all gain a better understanding and advocate for local TNR programs that ensure the best life possible for our feline neighbors.