05/07/2026
Did you know the only evidence-based cat management strategy that actually works in reducing the number of unowned cats is community cat desexing programs? Community cat desexing programs are commonly known as trap-neuter-return, or TNR.
CSCA are a no kill rescue and advocates of this strategy. Prior to the implementation of the ACT Cat Plan, less than 10% of our intakes were returned to their home location. Some people think this is cruel,but let us introduce you to beautiful Missy.
We first met Missy in January 2024 when a business owner in an industrial estate of Canberra contacted us. He found a cat in his yard with a litter of kittens. This family were trapped but Missy absolutely hated us! Her babies were placed into foster care and Missy was returned to her home.
When we return a cat to their home, we only do so if there is someone willing to continue to care for the cat/s by feeding daily and reporting any illness or injury. If the cat is injured or ill, we provide lifetime veterinarian care to the cat.
Missy's carer contacted us yesterday as she was not weight bearing on her foot. So she came back into our care and headed off to the for treatment.
But look at Missy now! From a scared little girl at the beginning of 2024, she is now confident and settled, allowing her carer to cuddle her.
Would she be happy indoors? Possibly. But why unsettle this gorgeous girl when she is thriving in her home location and gets everything she needs. She has an indoor space to shelter at night, food twice a day, and interacts with humans when she wants too.
The good news is Missy only has an infected toe which was diagnosed after sedation and xrays. She is now resting at her home with antibiotics and pain relief.
And the best part of this story is, Missy was given the chance to live her life in comfort, not killed for being unowned. But she is not continuing to have litters of kittens, adding to the population of unowned cats.
If only we could continue to undertake evidence-based cat management in the ACT without breaking the law we would have so many more stories like Missy's to share.