Neighborhood Cats

10/22/2026

Hot off the press from novelist and TNR advocate Michelle Lerner!

When a frantic call sends Harvard-trained lawyer Michelle Lerner to rescue a neurologically impaired squirrel, it is only the beginning. Her household becomes home to Monster, the squirrel with an operatic voice; Lamby, a disabled sheep who demands blue corn chips and herds cats; Shire, an injured police horse whose courage helps inspire Lerner’s animal-law work; and a sprawling cast of rescue dogs, cats, chickens, and other unforgettable creatures.

Warm, wickedly funny, and deeply moving, A Series of Opinionated Animals is a memoir about grief, family, resilience, justice, and the astonishing relationships that grow between species—and how the lives we change often change us even more.

A bonus for community cat trappers and caretakers - the book includes a chapter on how Michelle launched a TNR program in her own town.

Order your copy now at https://shop.bancroftpress.com/products/a-series-of-opinionated-animals Enter the code NC10 at checkout and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Neighborhood Cats ($10 for hardcover, $5 for e-book).

A warm, wickedly funny memoir by animal-law pioneer Michelle Lerner about rescue animals, family, grief, justice, and compassion.

10/21/2026

Don’t wait for the snowflakes to fall! Now’s the time to prepare winter shelters for your outdoor cats. Here are a few different ideas for keeping the felines warm and dry:

- MAKE a DIY shelter out of a Styrofoam box.

- USE a storage bin for the outer shell and line the interior walls with sheets of Styrofoam.

- BUY a cold weather-designed shelter from Feralvilla or The Kitty Tube.

Learn more about these options and more, plus get detailed DIY instructions at: https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/winter-shelter

10/20/2026

Meet Sparkles, our October Community Cat of the Month. ✨ Sparkles is a senior cat and has been part of her colony in Hawaii for years—but she still makes her caretaker, Lenny, smile every day.

For starters, there’s the way she greets Lenny at suppertime. She comes running at a gallop, then stands on her hind legs for a pat on the head.

Half the size of her colony mates, Sparkles elbows the big boys firmly aside, insisting on being first at the food bowls. After that, she takes a slow, careful bite from each dish as if she were a food critic dining at a new restaurant. 😂

When the meal is over, Sparkles daintily washes up, tells Lenny “thank you” with a cordial head bump, and slips into the shadows. Another night of adventures begins!

Here’s to all the spunky community cats like Sparkles and the compassionate people who care for them like Lenny.

📸 Want a cat you care for to be our next ? Send their photo and story to us at [email protected] for your chance to be featured.

10/20/2026

Most of us don’t think much about natural disasters and what we would do until right after they happen or are almost upon us. But how we respond isn’t only about us, but also saving the animals we care for, including those that are left outdoors like community cats.

On November 19, National Programs Director Bryan Kortis will join seasoned animal disaster experts for an online panel discussion, “Ready, Respond, Recover: Animal Disaster Response in Practice,” hosted by Justice Clearinghouse.

They’ll share real-world lessons from recent major disasters. What do agencies often overlook, what does an effective response look like in the first 24–48 hours, and what should happen after the initial intervention?

Free to watch live. Register now 👉
https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/ready-respond-recover-animal-disaster-response-in-practice

10/18/2026

Chilly days are coming… and, if you’re up North in a cold climate, your colony cats will need extra care when the temperatures drop! 🌡️

Join us this coming Saturday, October 24, for a Facebook Live event to talk about all things winter care—from DIY shelters to stopping or slowing water from freezing to winter trapping.

RSVP to get notified when the event starts: https://www.facebook.com/events/1394278325900281/

Drop your questions ahead of time in the comments below and we’ll be sure to answer them during the event.

10/16/2026

It’s ! Today is all about sharing and celebrating the benefits of Trap-Neuter-Return for community cats.

TNR is the most humane and effective method known for managing unowned, free-roaming cats. The cats are trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies (if legally required) and released back to their territory. Caretakers ensure the colonies have adequate food, water and shelter.

The day was launched 25 years ago at a time when many community cats were more often euthanized instead of cared for. Since then, we’ve been able to dramatically reduce shelter euthanasia rates for cats, thanks in large part to TNR.

Thanks for being part of this compassionate movement!

10/16/2026

Don’t forget to join us for this Saturday’s advanced webinar on how to advocate for Trap-Neuter-Return in your community!

In “Making the Case for TNR,” we’ll provide detailed guidance on how to present your case to local officials. Learn how to “make the case” in a way that gives you the best chance at success.

Register here:
https://communitycatscentral.com/events/making-the-case-for-tnr-2026

10/13/2026

Next month, on November 14, join the experts at Neighborhood Cats for “Colony Caretaking Tips & Tricks.” We’ll cover feeding, winter shelter, health hacks, using trail cameras, ways to keep cats out of neighbors’ yards, fighting off fleas, dealing with wildlife and other caretaking challenges.

Whether you’re new to community cat caretaking or a grizzled veteran, we guarantee you’ll walk away with some new ideas.

And the best part? This advanced webinar is free!

Register now to save your spot: https://communitycatscentral.thinkific.com/courses/colony-caretaking-tips-tricks-November-2026

10/11/2026

Sometimes the first step in doing TNR is making it legal, or securing funding, or gaining whatever kind of support is necessary from local government officials and leaders. Advocating effectively can be vital for moving forward.

Join us next Saturday, October 17, for an advanced webinar on how to make the case for TNR—with a city council, shelter director, public health officer or other local official. Learn to persuade them that TNR is the best solution for your community’s cats.

We’ll talk about how to structure your presentation, what data to gather, who to talk to first, how to counter opposing arguments and much more.

Register now for just $10 (if you can’t attend the live session, the recording will be available afterwards): https://communitycatscentral.com/events/making-the-case-for-tnr-2026

10/10/2026

When it comes to TNR, a common term used these days to describe the cats is “community cats.” What exactly does that mean?

In the past, cats living outdoors were commonly called “ferals.” But now we understand many outdoor cats are sociable, not feral. These friendly cats may be lost or abandoned former pets, or simply have a gregarious nature. Plus some cats may act friendly sometimes (especially right before a meal!) and more fearful at others.

The label “community cats” evolved to avoid drawing distinctions between different types of unowned, free-roaming cats. They may be feral, friendly or anything in between. The term “community” also implies we, as a society, have a collective responsibility for their management and care.

Sign up for our email list to learn more: https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/newsletter